In this episode of Inside Policy Talks, Geoffrey Sigalet and Peter Copeland delve into the legal, political, and historical forces shaping the use of section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Sigalet, political scientist and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, examines why the notwithstanding clause was created, how it has evolved, and what its renewed prominence means for Canadian democracy.
Together, they unpack the provincial and federal dynamics driving recent controversies, from Quebec’s Bill 21 to broader questions of judicial activism and legislative authority. Sigalet offers a nuanced perspective on the challenges of maintaining a balance between protecting rights and preserving democratic self-government.
