Ford denounces federal position on notwithstanding clause in swipe at Carney, Fraser

By Canadian Press on September 25, 2025.

OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford took pointed aim at the federal Liberals today over Ottawa’s recent suggestion of limits on the ability of legislatures to invoke the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause.

The notwithstanding clause gives provincial legislatures or Parliament the ability to pass legislation that effectively overrides provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but only for a five-year period.

In a filing to the Supreme Court of Canada in a case on Quebec’s secularism law, Ottawa argues the constitutional limits of the notwithstanding clause preclude it from being used to distort or wipe out the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Charter.

Speaking to reporters in Vaughan, Ont., Ford singled out federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser, who is also attorney general, and Prime Minister Mark Carney as he denounced the federal submission.

Ford called it “the worst decision” Carney has ever made, adding it “will be an absolute disaster.”

Ford, whose Progressive Conservative government has used the notwithstanding clause, said legislatures are supreme, “not judges ruling on stuff that shouldn’t even be in front of the courts.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2025.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press

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