Liberals are ‘hijacking’ the Charter, says Canada’s last living framer of the Constitution
About this episode
Brian Peckford discusses the origins and implications of the notwithstanding clause in the Canadian Constitution.
Former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford is the one man still alive who was personally in the room with then prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau when provinces and the federal government agreed, together, to a new Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He talks to Brian about the real basis for Section 33 — the notwithstanding clause — and how it came into being. He explains why the story that the federal government is telling about the clause’s alleged misuse is false, why Ottawa’s attempts to override it are unconstitutional, and why the Supreme Court has no authority to weigh in on its use, as the justices are now doing at the justice minister’s request. (Recorded April 17, 2026) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Guest: Brian Peckford
Topics covered
- Constitution
- Charter of Rights
- Canadian politics
- legal authority
- notwithstanding clause
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Supreme Court, Ottawa
Books & works: Constitution Act, Charter of Rights and Freedoms
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