Thread by @dkingofABC

I am not an Ontarian, or a teacher, or an education assistant, but I have a perspective on the Ford government’s “Keeping Students in Schools Act”. I was Minister of Education in Alberta for 7 years, including the time the Charter was developed and enacted. #onted #onpoli

I have wrestled with the issues Mr. Lecce wrestles with and I sat at both the Cabinet table and with the caucus when we had more than one animated conversation about the idea and the wording and the expected use of the ‘notwithstanding’ provision of Charter. #onted #onpoli

I am appalled by the way in which the notwithstanding provision is being used. I am appalled by the (unstated, yet real) rationale.

The Ford government has reached two very important conclusions about its situation and its political opportunity, and is acting on them. #onted

Their first conclusion is that the American disease has come to Canada, and they can safely bully, instead of acting politically. Going forward, Ontarians can expect their government to negotiate when it chooses to: but it will, increasingly, bully. #onted #onpoli

Their second conclusion, mirroring recent U.S. experience, is that the Ontario public has been successfully deconstructed. From a distance, it appears that Ontario no longer has a cohesive ‘public’, with a strong sense that “we’re all in this together”, or “I’ve got your back".

The Government of Ontario has decided that, in this instance & going forward, they can deal with every political issue through the lens of isolated, frightened, & demeaned ‘interest’ groups. It is time for the people of Ontario to remember the words of Martin Niemoller. #onpoli

What the government of Ontario has done to education assistants to-day, it can do to the construction trades, or doctors, or legal aid, or property, or any other ‘interest groups’ tomorrow. #onted #onpoli

The ‘notwithstanding’ provision of the Charter has emerged to become the greatest threat to human, labour & other rights, not only in Ontario, in this moment, but across the country. The Ford government is using it as a free pass ...

to do what it wants without fear of a legal challenge (which may still come). This puts every one of us in the constantly stressful situation of living a precarious existence, without ever knowing when or why a sword may fall. All of us need to find a way out of this quagmire.