In a move described as “decisive, bold, and only slightly dictatorial,” Alberta’s government announced it will invoke the notwithstanding clause to end the province-wide teachers’ strike. Premier Danielle Smith told reporters the measure was necessary to “protect students’ right to be quietly bored in classrooms rather than loudly bored at home.”
The clause, typically reserved for suspending constitutional rights, will now ensure that educators return to work “with a smile or else.” Sources say teachers are furious, but too exhausted to form complete sentences after a week on picket duty.
Critics accuse the government of abusing its powers, while supporters say it’s “refreshing to see someone finally using the Constitution as a to-do list.” Meanwhile, students celebrated the news with mixed feelings, half rejoicing at postponed exams, the other half terrified that civics class just got very real.
