Arabnews24.ca:Monday 14 June 2021 05:51 PM: The government of Premier Doug Ford has pushed a controversial bill through the Ontario legislature limiting third-party election advertising by employing a rarely used legislative power.
Bill 307, which used the notwithstanding clause to reintroduce parts of a law struck down by a judge last week, passed by a margin of 63 votes to 47.
The clause allows legislatures to override portions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a five-year term.
A judge found it was unconstitutional for the government to double the restricted pre-election spending period for third-party advertisements to 12 months before an election call.
The Progressive Conservative government argued the extended restriction was necessary to protect elections from outside influence.
The bill passed Monday afternoon after a marathon weekend debate in which opposition politicians argued the government was trying to silence criticism ahead of next June's provincial election.
Del Duca: 'A sad day for our democracy'
Reacting to the bill's passage, Steven Del Duca, leader of the Ontario Liberal Party said, "Today is a sad day for our democracy."
Del Duca said Ford has "rammed through legislation," adding that it will "undermine our right to free speech by silencing his critics."
He said Ford's move to push the bill through is nothing more than an attempt to save his own political skin while changing the rules of an election he's already running in.
"Make no mistake, Doug Ford is silencing the front-line heroes — the nurses, doctors, teachers, essential workers, and personal support workers who are speaking out against his government," Del Duca said.
