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A message to members from OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof

9/13/2018

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September 12, 2018 — As many of you know, Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday that he intends to invoke the constitution’s “notwithstanding clause” to override a court ruling that struck down Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act. A Superior Court Justice ruled earlier in the day that the Act infringes on the freedom of expression provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ford said that he will reintroduce the legislation this week, and will invoke the notwithstanding clause so that the constitutionality of the legislation cannot be challenged in court.
Ford’s decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause is unprecedented in Ontario, and is disturbing in the extreme. Even more disturbing was Ford’s statement to reporters that he would not hesitate to use the notwithstanding clause whenever he felt it necessary in the future. This is an astounding proclamation by the Premier of Ontario that his own legislative agenda takes priority over the constitutional rights of Ontarians.
The implications of this are serious for everyone in the province, including members of OSSTF/FEESO and all unions, whose rights to meaningful collective bargaining are guaranteed by the constitution.
I urge all OSSTF/FEESO members, especially those who live in ridings represented by government MPPs, to contact their local representatives by phone or by email and insist that they vote against this Bill when it is reintroduced in the legislature. Doug Ford is attempting to establish a very dangerous precedent, and we must make every effort to let him and his government know that this is simply not acceptable.
Harvey Bischof, President
OSSTF/FEESO
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NE SIBI QUISQUE CONSULAT, SED INTER NOS AUXILIO SIMUS.
Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another
.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation   District Seven Bluewater