Canada's Supreme Court to rule on Quebec’s religious symbol ban, despite its override of Charter rights via the notwithstanding clause.

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear arguments over Quebec’s Bill 21, which bans public sector employees from wearing religious symbols, a law critics say violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by targeting minority faiths. Though widely considered unconstitutional, the law remains in effect due to Quebec’s use of the notwithstanding clause, which allows provinces to override Charter protections for up to five years, renewable. The clause, intended to preserve legislative authority, has drawn criticism as several provinces have invoked it in ways seen as undermining minority rights, including proposed restrictions on transgender youth. While some argue courts should still declare such laws unconstitutional to highlight rights violations, doing so without constitutional amendment risks judicial overreach. The case centers on whether courts can issue advisory rulings affirming rights violations even when the notwithstanding clause applies, potentially shaping the balance between parliamentary power and judicial oversight in protecting fundamental freedoms.