# Canadian Legal Types...."Notwithstanding?"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-legal-types-notwithstanding/181100>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 11, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-legal-types-notwithstanding/181100 "2003-06-11T14:00:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![db4530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@db4530](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/db4530)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-legal-types-notwithstanding/181100/1 "2003-06-11T14:00:50Z")

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In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189892&highlight=canada+notwithstanding) thread discussing gay marriage in Canada (specifically Toronto), there is mention of the “Notwithstanding Clause.” Can any Canadians out there expand on what this means, how the power of the clause is exercised, and examples of how its been used in the past? In the history of the clause, does the gov. or the court have the final say over when the clause is properly exercised? Finally, how to “Notwithstanding Clause” disputes get resolved?

In the US we have checks and balances to ensure that no branch of the government (including the court) has too much power…is it the same in Canada?

Thanks.

db

P.S. I now may be looking forward to a trip to [Toronto](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030611/UGAYYN//?query=gay) this summer, depending on this whole “Notwithstanding” issue.

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**Author:** ![db4530](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@db4530](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/db4530)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-legal-types-notwithstanding/181100/2 "2003-06-11T14:11:45Z")

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I apologize, this thread was supposed to be posted on General Questions. I have reposted there if you would like to respond.

db

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**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-legal-types-notwithstanding/181100/3 "2003-06-11T15:56:11Z")

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That’s cool. Next time, though, please use the “report this post to a moderator” link at the bottom of the post, and request for it to be moved. I’ll just close this one now.