Episode 3: The Notwithstanding Clause — Hero or Villain?

July 10, 2025

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Headshots of Warda Shazadi Meighen and Karin Galldin

Headshots of Warda Shazadi Meighen and Karin Galldin

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Does the Notwithstanding Clause safeguard our rights or override them? We dive into one of the most controversial parts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to figure out whether it’s a hero like Wolverine or a wildcard like The Joker. Lawyers Warda Shazadi Meighen, Karin Galldin, and Peter Biro weigh in.

Resources

The Notwithstanding Clause and the Canadian Charter: Rights, Reforms, and Controversies - edited by Peter Biro ‍

Are we supposed to just sit and wait for Canada’s inevitable constitutional crisis? - Globe and Mail

Canadian civil liberties group fighting 'abuse' of notwithstanding clause in Sask. pronoun law - CTV News

Ford defends controversial use of notwithstanding clause to keep kids in school - Toronto Sun

In Quebec religious symbols decision, Canada confronts consequences of controversial constitutional clause - CBC

Group Chat is funded by the Rideau Hall Foundation and the Flanagan Foundation.

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About this Podcast

Group Chat

Canada’s democracy is under threat, and the stakes are high. But when we focus on how we are connected, we find the power to act - to strengthen what’s working and fix what’s not.

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