The Bill 21 case is complicated, to say the least, with multiple sections of the Constitution and Charter at play.
This month, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about why this law should be struck down as unconstitutional. This case is significant due to Quebec’s use of the notwithstanding clauses, before any court ruling, to override fundamental rights and freedoms
Canada’s focus should be on cementing rules-based, new trading partnerships with the Latin American countries in the Mercosur trade bloc, seeking even closers ties with the European Union, and expanding trade with the 11 Pacific Rim nations.
If the Charter of Rights and Freedoms doesn’t protect us, the anglophone community’s very role in Quebec society is threatened.
A growing regime of ‘rights without democracy’ has drained away much of the responsibility and authority of elected politicians and, with them, much of their legitimacy.