NDP hopefuls slam use of section 33 to put down teachers' strike

OTTAWA — Federal NDP leadership candidates are backing Alberta’s spurned labour unions after the Alberta government used the notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to the classroom.

Edmonton MP Heather McPherson took to social media shortly after the back-to-work bill was tabled on Monday night, calling it an “unprecedented attack on workers” and “direct assault on our democracy.”

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The Alberta government bill , passed early Tuesday morning, used the notwithstanding clause to lock in a government-proposed deal over the objections of teachers, paving the way for classes to resume this week. This marks the first time that the constitutional provision, which allows legislatures to temporarily suspend certain rights, has been invoked in an Alberta law.