(Ottawa) Despite the opposition of all Conservative MPs, a Liberal bill aimed at perpetuating the Court Challenges Program (CCP) passed second reading on Wednesday.
Private member’s bill C-316, presented by Liberal Ron McKinnon, aims to “clarify that, within the framework of the powers and functions conferred on him by this law, the Minister of Canadian Heritage has the task of maintaining the Program of legal challenge”.
The Liberals, Bloc and New Democrats all supported it, while the Conservatives opposed it as a whole. Adopted by 206 votes to 111, the legislative measure will nevertheless make its way to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
The PCJ aims to help Canadians assert their official language rights and their rights to equality guaranteed by the Constitution. Its elimination by the conservatives in 2006 provoked an outcry, particularly from groups defending linguistic minority rights.
Justin Trudeau’s government confirmed the return of the PCJ in its first budget, in March 2016.