Moe Backs Alberta's Use of Notwithstanding Clause

REGINA - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is standing by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's decision to use the notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work.

Moe said the clause, which Alberta used to override teacher rights in the labour dispute, was regrettable but necessary to ensure students can be in class. "Unfortunately, I think it's required in the back-to-work legislation that is there", Moe told reporters. "This is a tool available to duly elected governments. It's part of the Constitution to ensure that elected governments certainly are making the decisions on behalf of their residents."

Smith's government used the Charter's notwithstanding clause to end a three-week teachers strike by passing through the house in just hours a bill ordering 51,000 teachers back to work.

Moe said it's good for governments to find agreements at the bargaining table but added they must be done without interruption to public services.

Moe's government invoked the notwithstanding clause two years ago on a law that prevents children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without parental consent.

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