The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) is taking the provincial government to court, challenging its use of the notwithstanding clause in legislation that forced striking teachers back to work.

Alberta experienced its first provincewide teachers strike last month. About 51,000 public, separate and francophone teachers were off the job for more than three weeks, until Bill 2 — the Back to School Act —ordered teachers back to their classrooms on Oct. 29.

“This legal action is not symbolic; it is necessary,” ATA president Jason Schilling said during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

“We’re standing up for the [Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms] itself, for the rule of law and for the limits that protect citizens from arbitrary government decisions.”

The union filed an originati

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