Five premiers ask Carney to withdraw court submission on notwithstanding clause

Five premiers urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to withdraw Ottawa's court submission seeking limits on the notwithstanding clause. The premiers argue the federal position disavows the constitutional bargain that created the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and proposes unworkable legal standards. The notwithstanding clause allows legislatures to override certain Charter provisions for five years, a power the premiers believe is fundamental to federalism and democracy.