![\"CTF\/FCE\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6f9646f02e50578cd93f7ceedce95108.png\")
CTF\/FCE <\/p>\n CTF\/FCE <\/p>\n
BANFF, Alberta, June 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Teacher organization presidents from across Canada, representing more than 420,000 educators, met in Banff, Alberta, on June 1, 2026, to discuss the potential use of the Notwithstanding Clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) by provincial\/territorial governments\u00a0for issues it was never intended for, as it has been in Alberta.<\/p>\n
The presidents affirmed their shared commitment to the democratic rights of teachers and all\u00a0workers and\u00a0stand united in their condemnation of the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as a tool to override constitutionally protected rights to freedom of association, collective bargaining, and strike action.<\/p>\n
A Growing Pattern of Overreach\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Notwithstanding Clause was designed as a\u00a0safeguard\u00a0to be invoked only in exceptional and demonstrably justified circumstances. It was never intended to be a routine tool for governments to bypass the courts and silence workers\u00a0amid\u00a0legitimate labour disputes.<\/p>\n
In the past five years, the Notwithstanding Clause has been used more\u00a0frequently\u00a0to deny human and democratic rights than at any other time in our lifetimes. Recently, Premiers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec have invoked the Notwithstanding Clause in the following legislation:<\/p>\n
Bill 2, \u201cBack to School Act\u201d\u00a0in Alberta, 2025<\/p>\n
Bill 9, \u201cProtecting Alberta\u2019s Children Statutes Amendment Act\u201d\u00a0in Alberta, 2025<\/p>\n
Bill 137, \u201cParents\u2019 Bill of Rights\u201d\u00a0in Saskatchewan, 2023<\/p>\n
Bill 28, \u201cKeeping Students in Class Act\u201d\u00a0in Ontario, 2022<\/p>\n
Bill 307, \u201cProtecting Elections and Defending Democracy Act\u201d\u00a0in Ontario, 2021<\/p>\n
Bill 96, \u201cAn Act respecting French, the official and common language of Qu\u00e9bec\u201d\u00a0in Quebec, 2022<\/p>\n
When governments invoke the Notwithstanding Clause to end labour disputes, they are not simply legislating. They are telling workers that their rights are conditional and that the\u00a0Charter\u00a0protections all Canadians depend upon can be switched off when it is politically convenient to do so. This is a threat not only to teachers, but to every worker and every citizen in this country.<\/p>\n
Our Collective Position\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0undersigned presidents,\u00a0representing\u00a0teachers and education workers in every province and territory across Canada, collectively and unequivocally declare:<\/p>\n
The use of the Notwithstanding Clause during labour negotiations is an abuse of legislative power.\u00a0Governments must engage in good-faith collective bargaining, not weaponize the Constitution to silence workers.<\/p>\n
Teachers\u2019 rights to freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike are constitutionally protected and must remain so.\u00a0No government should be able to pre-emptively nullify these rights and block the courts from providing recourse.<\/p>\n
The Notwithstanding Clause must only ever be used as a last resort, after judicial review has been\u00a0permitted.\u00a0Its pre-emptive use to shield legislation from Charter challenges is a subversion of the democratic rule of law.<\/p>\n
The implications of this trend extend far beyond education, threatening every worker and citizen in this country.\u00a0What is happening to teachers today can happen to any worker, in any sector, tomorrow. This is a national issue requiring a national response.<\/p>\n
Together we call on all levels of government to take the following immediate actions:<\/p>\n
Commit to good-faith collective bargaining\u00a0with teachers and education workers, and resolve disputes through negotiation and mediation.<\/p>\n
Pledge not to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause\u00a0in the context of labour relations with teachers and education workers.<\/p>\n
Support federal action\u00a0to review and restrict provincial\/territorial use of Section 33 when it is applied to deny citizens\u2019 fundamental democratic and human rights.<\/p>\n
Ensure judicial oversight is preserved\u00a0by allowing courts the opportunity to examine the constitutionality of any legislation before the Notwithstanding Clause is considered.<\/p>\n
Additionally,\u00a0the\u00a0Canadian Teachers\u2019 Federation (CTF\/FCE) Board of Directors has\u00a0launched a\u00a0petition\u00a0that\u00a0calls upon the federal government to\u00a0\u201cannul or repeal any future provincial legislation that restricts workers\u2019 rights to strike and collectively bargain through the use of the Notwithstanding Clause, and to affirm the federal government\u2019s responsibility to uphold Charter rights across Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n
The presidents of all provincial\/territorial teachers\u2019\u00a0organizations\u00a0strongly\u00a0encourage all\u00a0Canadians\u00a0who share our values to add their names to this petition before it closes on July 24, 2026. The petition can be found at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.ctf-fce.ca\/take-action\/notwithstanding-clause-petition\/<\/a><\/p>\n It is not too late to act with integrity. But governments must choose to do so now.<\/p>\n Signatories\u00a0<\/p>\n Jason Schilling \u2013 Alberta Teachers\u2019 Association (ATA) About the CTF\/FCE<\/p>\n Founded in 1920, the CTF\/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers\u2019 organizations that represent over 370,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF\/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 33-million educators.<\/p>\n Media Contact<\/p>\n
Gabrielle Lemieux \u2013 Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO)
\u00c9ric Godin, Association des enseignantes et des enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick, F\u00e9d\u00e9ration des enseignants du Nouveau-Brunswick (AEFNB\/FENB)
Carole Gordon \u2013 British Columbia Teachers\u2019 Federation (BCTF) \u00a0
Clint Johnston \u2013 Canadian Teachers\u2019 Federation (CTF\/FCE)
Mona-\u00c9lise S\u00e9vigny \u2013 \u00c9ducatrices et \u00e9ducateurs francophones du Manitoba (\u00c9FM)
David Mastin \u2013 Elementary Teachers\u2019 Federation of Ontario (ETFO) \u00a0
Heidi Ryder \u2013 New Brunswick Teachers\u2019 Association, New Brunswick Teachers\u2019 Federation (NBTA\/NBTF) \u00a0
Dale Lambe \u2013 Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers\u2019 Association (NLTA) \u00a0
Peter Day \u2013 Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU)
Justin Matchett \u2013 Nunavut Teachers\u2019 Association (NTA)
Ren\u00e9 Jansen in de Wal \u2013 Ontario English Catholic Teachers\u2019 Association (OECTA)
Martha Hradowy \u2013 Ontario Secondary School Teachers\u2019 Federation (OSSTF\/FEESO) \u00a0
Andy Doran \u2013 Prince Edward Island Teachers\u2019 Federation (PEITF)
Samantha Becotte \u2013 Saskatchewan Teachers\u2019 Federation (STF)
Ted Hup\u00e9 \u2013 Yukon Association of Education Professionals (YAEP)
Chris Cowley \u2013 Ontario Teachers\u2019 Federation (OTF)\u00a0
Heidi Yetman \u2013 Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT)\u00a0
Rita Mueller \u2013 Northwest Territories Teachers\u2019 Association (NWTTA)\u00a0
Lillian Klausen \u2013 Manitoba Teachers\u2019 Society (MTS)<\/p>\n