Why the Notwithstanding Clause? Putting the Charter's Controversial Provision in Context

The Centre for Constitutional Studies is delighted to host a public talk with Rob De Luca (JD, PhD), former program director at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, on the Notwithstanding Clause of the Charter.

Section 33 of the Charter provides Canada’s federal and provincial legislatures with the power to enact legislation notwithstanding certain protections for rights and freedoms in the Charter. Debates over the clause have understandably been preoccupied with the question of whether and how the provision may allow legislatures to simply ignore rights and freedoms. In this talk, however, Rob De Luca will argue that Section 33's constitutional history, and its continuing role in shaping public discourse, demonstrate the clause's value - despite the real dangers to rights and freedoms posed by the clause.

Register on Zoom here.

Register in-person here.