Never Assume

I had assumed that the declarations by the Liberal Party that they would never use the "notwithstanding" clause of the Canadian Constitution, as well as their habit of referring contentious issues to the courts rather than Parliament, was simply a calculated plan to ensure their popularity. After all, if you never take a stand, you never offend anyone. But it looks like I should not have assumed anything.

Paul Martin is on the attack over comments by a Conservative candidate, who says he would use the "notwithstanding" clause. Clearly the Liberals are not simply being pragmatic, but rather are abdicating the authority of Parliament in favour of unelected courts because that is the best way for them to push a Liberal social agenda. They have now arranged things so that it is unthinkable that anyone would use the "notwithstanding" clause (i.e. they have villified anyone who thinks that this clearly stated part of the constitution actually has authority, in favour of the interpretations of another part of the constitution by unelected judges).