| Clement Allard/The Canadian Press | | Erna Paris is the author of several books, including The Sun Climbs Slow: The International Criminal Court and the Struggle for Justice and Long Shadows: Truth, Lies and History. | | There’s an elephant in the room we call Canada: our Charter’s notwithstanding clause. | | Agreed to in 1981, the clause – which allows any Canadian government, federal or provincial, to override certain elements of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms – was a uniquely Canadian compromise seen as necessary to bring Quebec into the Charter fold. It was controversial from the start. We believe in civil and human rights for all, don’t we? On the other hand, in 1981, few of the nervous leaders who signed on thought it would be used often, if at all. They stressed the positive – in particular, the belief that it balanced the respective powers of Parliament and the judiciary. Furthermore, there were safeguards: It contained a five-year sunset clause, and a displeased electorate could throw out a government that sought to diminish basic freedoms. |  | | | | Evan Vucci/The Associated Press | | Jeff Bierk/The Globe and Mail | | DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press | More stories below advertisement | | | | Brian Gable/The Globe and Mail | | Justin Tang/The Canadian Press | | Keep your Opinions sharp and informed. Get the Opinion newsletter. Sign up today. | Sound science | Re Science Is Messy – So Don’t Lose Trust (May 10): Theresa Tam recently stated that the science around the AstraZeneca vaccine is “evolving,” a term she has used before. As an applied scientist and professional engineer with three degrees and 35 years of experience, I know that science doesn’t evolve. Apples were falling for a very long time before Isaac Newton “discovered” gravity – he simply (and brilliantly) figured out why. | | | | | More columns from across The Globe | | | | | EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images | | |
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