(Ottawa) A Liberal bill aimed at making the Court Challenges Program (CCP) permanent passed second reading Wednesday despite opposition from all Conservative MPs.
Private member’s bill C-316, tabled by Liberal Ron McKinnon, “aims to clarify that within the framework of the powers and functions conferred on him by this Act, the Minister of Canadian Heritage has the task of maintaining the legal challenges program”.
Liberals, Black and New Democrats all supported it, while conservatives were generally opposed. Passed by a vote of 111 to 206, the legislative measure will go to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
PCJ aims to help Canadians assert their official language rights and rights to equality guaranteed by the Constitution. It was removed by conservatives in 2006, prompting an outcry from groups protecting the rights of linguistic minorities in particular.
Justin Trudeau’s government confirmed the return of the PCJ in its first budget in March 2016.
