Students React to the Use of the Notwithstanding Clause
The Education Students’ Association and other groups oppose the use of the notwithstanding clause to order teachers back to work.
On October 30, the University of Alberta’s Education Students’ Association (ESA) released a statement regarding the Government of Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause to order teachers back to work after a three-week strike.
About 51,000 teachers across Alberta went on strike on October 6. The strike ended with the United Conservative Party (UCP) bringing forward Bill 2 that ordered teachers back to work.
- The bill used the notwithstanding clause to impose a four-year agreement.
- The bill prevents teachers from taking any job action.
- Teachers who continue to strike or take any other form of job action can be fined $500 per day of job action.
- Their union can be fined up to $500,000 per day of job action.
Author's summary: Students oppose the use of the notwithstanding clause.