Media Releases
September 9, 2008
“By cancelling the Court Challenges Program in September 2006, Prime Minister Harper attacked an important independent tool Canadians depend upon to exercise and defend their Charter Rights,” said Mr. Dion.
He noted that mounting a Charter challenge is extremely expensive, and the Court Challenges Program existed to help individuals and organizations cover the expense and make the process accessible to all Canadians.
“I think any government afraid to have its own laws challenged in court ought to take a second look at the soundness of those laws,” said Mr. Dion. “The Court Challenges Program wasn’t about who wins and who loses; it was about making sure the process was accessible.”
Mr. Dion said that a new Liberal government will not only reinstate the Court Challenges Program but also double the annual funding to $6 million a year to ensure that all groups will have the support they need to protect their rights.
“Mr. Harper’s decision to eliminate the Court Challenges Program fits a broader pattern – one of animosity toward some of the most basic precepts of our judicial system,” said Mr. Dion.
“The Canadian Charter enshrines equal rights in our country’s highest laws, but in order for it to be truly effective Canadians must have access to those laws. That is what the Court Challenges Program provides, and that is why a Liberal government will bring it back for a fairer Canada.”
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Liberals commit to bringing back the Court Challenges Program
MONTREAL – A new Liberal government will reverse the decision of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to weaken the protection of the rights of Canadians by reinstating the Court Challenges Program, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said today.“By cancelling the Court Challenges Program in September 2006, Prime Minister Harper attacked an important independent tool Canadians depend upon to exercise and defend their Charter Rights,” said Mr. Dion.
He noted that mounting a Charter challenge is extremely expensive, and the Court Challenges Program existed to help individuals and organizations cover the expense and make the process accessible to all Canadians.
“I think any government afraid to have its own laws challenged in court ought to take a second look at the soundness of those laws,” said Mr. Dion. “The Court Challenges Program wasn’t about who wins and who loses; it was about making sure the process was accessible.”
Mr. Dion said that a new Liberal government will not only reinstate the Court Challenges Program but also double the annual funding to $6 million a year to ensure that all groups will have the support they need to protect their rights.
“Mr. Harper’s decision to eliminate the Court Challenges Program fits a broader pattern – one of animosity toward some of the most basic precepts of our judicial system,” said Mr. Dion.
“The Canadian Charter enshrines equal rights in our country’s highest laws, but in order for it to be truly effective Canadians must have access to those laws. That is what the Court Challenges Program provides, and that is why a Liberal government will bring it back for a fairer Canada.”
Click here for more information.
