The court sided with unions that challenged the Doug Ford government's use of the notwithstanding clause to protect legislation limiting their ability to run ads ahead of an election
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared on The Trillium, a new Village Media website devoted exclusively to covering provincial politics at Queen’s Park.
The Progressive Conservative government made history in 2021 when it passed legislation implementing strict spending limits on third-party advertising in the year leading up to an election; it was the first time the province had used the notwithstanding clause in a bill that was made law. The court has given the Ford government one year to rewrite its law to be Charter-compliant. It can also seek leave to appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada, which could opt to hear the case or let the Court of Appeal judgment stand. Speaking for the government Monday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said the province was still reviewing the decision and all options were on the table.
One of the parties to the court challenge was the Working Families Coalition, a coalition of unions that for years was the biggest third-party spender, producing hard-hitting attack ads targeting PC leaders. According to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association , which intervened in the case, the court found that in order to be Charter-compliant the restrictions would need to be "carefully tailored" and permit "a modest informational campaign."
The most important aspect of the ruling, she said, is that it tells the Ford government it can't take a "casual attitude" to Charter rights and the notwithstanding clause.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls say early vote boosts chances of defeating Doug FordA handful of Liberals in early jockeying to lead the party out of the doldrums after two disastrous provincial elections are pushing for a vote by the end of the year.
Lire la suite »
Doug Ford’s campaign finance law struck down by courtThe Ontario Court of Appeal has struck down Premier Doug Ford’s controversial campaign finance law that limits spending by unions and other third parties.
Lire la suite »
Appeal court strikes down Ontario’s election-ad rulesFord government had used notwithstanding clause to restrict spending by non-party groups before the 2022 vote
Lire la suite »
Ontario's top court strikes down third-party election ad spending rulesOntario's top court has struck down third-party election advertising rules introduced by Premier Doug Ford's government as unconstitutional.
Lire la suite »
That time a Toronto student called Doug Ford a Timbit on live televisionTensions were high in Ontario in early December, 2019 after thousands of teachers walked off the job as a result of a failed bargaining process bet...
Lire la suite »