Quebecs Bill 21 Lands in the Supreme Court, With Notwithstanding Clause in Spotlight

The Supreme Court of Canada is shown in Ottawa, on March 13, 2026. The Canadian Press/Justin TangA legal challenge to Quebec’s secularism law, known as Bill 21, will be heard at the Supreme Court of Canada beginning Monday, and legal experts say whatever the eventual ruling, it will have a profound effect on constitutional law in Canada.The highly anticipated high court challenge to Bill 21 has been years in the making, but legal debate is likely to focus primarily on Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the provision known as the “notwithstanding clause,” which shields legislation from most court challenges over violations of fundamental rights.