Just as importantly, these critiques also reveal the extent to which the political right in Canada is increasingly following the political left in framing its preferences in rights-based terms. Although coming at the problem from different political traditions, both expressed skepticism towards the central role that the Charter contemplated for individual rights in Canadian political life. Nonetheless, the proposed addition of novel rights to the Alberta Bill of Rights only adds to the culture of rights inflation that has characterized Canadian legal practice since 1982. To be sure, these novel rights are being proposed by, and reflect the priorities of, individuals on the right of the political spectrum. When it does, we will likely see the political left making many more critiques along the lines of those now being made against Alberta’s proposed amendments.

Source: National Post November 14, 2024 23:45 UTC