QUEEN’S PARK — Green Party of Ontario leader, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement in response to the Ontario government’s announcement that it is prepared to use the notwithstanding clause to overturn the court’s decision on Bill 5:
“I am shocked and disappointed at the lengths this Premier will go to in his apparent personal vendetta against the City of Toronto. Invoking the notwithstanding clause is unprecedented in Ontario. It should not be used for political gain or to win petty fights with municipal government.
That Premier Ford would choose to use the Notwithstanding Clause in this way shows his arrogance and contempt for democracy.
This is a dangerous sign of what this government is willing to do. It is time for those in the Ford government who believe in the Rule of Law and proper process to speak out against these anti-democratic actions.
The Premier has shown that he is more than willing to create chaos and break the bank on lawyers to get what he wants.”