A councillor is putting forth a motion asking Chatham-Kent council to fight for basic human rights.
Ward 4 councillor Rhonda Jubenville proposed a motion at Monday’s meeting, urging CK councillors to oppose Premier Doug Ford’s promise to give “enhanced legislative powers” to Ontario municipalities to be voted on at an upcoming CK council meeting.
In October, a group of Ontario mayors, including CK mayor Darrin Canniff, wrote a letter to the Premier calling on the government to use the notwithstanding clause to pass legislation that would help them address encampments and addiction issues in their respective communities.
“The notwithstanding clause is designed to suspend the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom,” said Jubenville. “The charter is intended to protect the fundamental rights of all Canadian citizens without exception.”
In November, CK councillors including Jubenville and Michael Bondy, voiced their opinions against using the notwithstanding clause.
The 41 councillors from various Ontario municipalities instead urged the provincial government to commit resources to finding a solution to the problem without going against someone’s basic human rights.
Jubenville reiterated this statement at Monday’s meeting, adding the provincial government should carry more of the financial strain being put on municipal budgets.
Jubenville proposed the motion would be sent to the Ontario government, the Attorney General, the Finance Minister, the Minister of Health, Premiere Ford, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).
