On Tuesday, the Alberta government invoked the notwithstanding clause to protect from legal action three bills aimed at transgender youth concerning schools, sex education, sports, and access to healthcare.

It’s the second time in the span of less than a month that the provincial government has used the measure, following the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to order striking teachers back to work in late October.

So, what exactly is the notwithstanding clause, and what does it mean for Albertans?

The notwithstanding clause, in section 33 of the Charter, allows legislatures to declare that “legislation operates notwithstanding sections 2 and 7-15 of the Charter.”

Essentially, it means that government legislation can override certain sections of the Charter of Rights and F

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