Nenshi calls on Danielle Smith to stop attacking human rights
Naheed Nenshi, Leader, Alberta’s New Democrats, responded to the UCP government’s leaked proposal to use the notwithstanding clause to strip away Albertans' human rights:
“Your rights matter. No government should ever strip them away regardless of whether they like you or not.
“Danielle Smith is attacking your fundamental human rights.
“Although she calls herself ‘the most freedom-loving politician in Canada’, from the moment she took power, she has systematically stripped away rights and freedoms from people she doesn’t like or disagrees with. Albertans have every right to be alarmed by this and ask themselves, ‘who’s next?’
“Alberta’s government has intervened on the side of the Quebec government to defend a bill that restricts certain jobs from Jewish, Muslim and Sikh people.
“It’s also been reported that for the first time in Alberta history, Danielle Smith will use the notwithstanding clause preemptively to shield her bills targeting vulnerable trans children from legal scrutiny.
“As recently as two months ago, Smith said she stood behind the legality of these bills; now she clearly believes they are unconstitutional, and she doesn’t care. Perhaps she doesn’t love freedom after all.
“From restricting vaccines from people who choose to have them, to telling farmers what they can do with their land, to banning books, to asking girls – not boys – to prove their sex to try out for a school team, this government has proven they don’t care about the impact of their decisions or protecting people. They care only about their own political future. They are cruel and they are wrong.
“Alberta’s New Democrats will always stand for the dignity of every human being lucky enough to share this land.
“We will fight like hell to defend your rights. Every day.”
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