Carney tries sneak attack on Charter, notwithstanding clause

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has had his first big spat with Prime Minister Mark Carney and it is over the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Ford is upset that Carney’s government has intervened in a case before the Supreme Court that could change the power of the courts and alter how the Charter is interpreted.

It’s a foolish move by Carney that could inflame political tensions across the country – particularly in Quebec.

The case in question deals with Bill 21, Quebec’s Act respecting the laicity of the State. It’s a bill designed to enforce secularism on the part of the state, but this law goes too far in effectively banning any public sector employee from wearing a symbol of religious faith.

No Christian employed by the government can wear a cross at work, no Jew can wear a kippa, no Si