Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement after Ontario unions filed a charter challenge against Bill 124:

“The government wants to sidestep the real work at the negotiating table by passing unilateral laws that undermine charter rights.

Not only did Bill 124 throw teacher negotiations off the rails, but it was practically an invitation to unions to sue the Ford government.

Collective bargaining rights are constitutionally protected, and they cannot simply be wiped away by laws that set arbitrary wage caps.

The Ford government should negotiate wages at the bargaining table, not through legislation.

This type of unilateral law didn’t hold up in court when the Liberals tried it, and cost the province over $100 million.

I suspect the Ford government will have a similar experience in the courts, costing Ontario taxpayers millions.”

source: media release, Green Party of Ontario