An obscure clause in Canada's charter sparks furious debates over rights

The notwithstanding clause can be invoked to pass controversial laws that override the rights of citizens At the height of a bitter pay dispute with Ontario education workers earlier this month, the provincial premier, Doug Ford, passed a law that barred employees from striking and imposed a multi-year contract on them - breaching their constitutional rights. Amid mounting public backlash and the prospect of a general strike, Ford quickly retreated, announcing his government would immediately re...