Mr. Speaker, our Constitution is the highest law in Canada. Every other law must conform to it. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a cornerstone of our Constitution, and the notwithstanding clause is central to it. It is a deliberate and essential part of the 1982 compromise that made the charter possible. It reflects the will of Canadians to allow elected legislatures, not courts alone, to make final decisions in exceptional cases.
However, the government is asking the court to rewrite our Constitution. That is a reckless overreach with grave consequences, or perhaps it is a calculated distraction. What is it a distraction from? It is a distraction from the real challenges facing Canadians: high inflation, escalating debt, ever-increasing crime, and economic and trade uncertainty. Instead of addressing these mounting issues, the Prime Minister is wedging Canadians and creating an aimless diversion.
Canadians deserve solutions, not more distractions.