Liberal leader nuances his pledge to use the notwithstanding clause on Bill 96

Charles Milliard adjusts his remarks to “maybe” after they spark an uproar in the English-speaking community.

QUEBEC — Faced with a backlash from the English-speaking community and members of his caucus, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard has adjusted his message on the use of the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 96 from court challenges.

After saying Thursday he would make use of the clause to protect the law adopted by the Coalition Avenir Québec government in 2022, Milliard downgraded that to a “maybe.”

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“What I said yesterday is that I want to fix Bill 96 so that the notwithstanding clauses will not be necessary,” Milliard said on the radio.

The English community advocacy group, TALQ, said the comment came as a surprise and reminded Milliard the right to judicial reviews of laws is fundamental in any society.

Milliard’s comments also raised eyebrows inside the Quebec Liberal caucus because it was a change of position from the past.