How long can governments override Charter rights using the Notwithstanding Clause?

• A. Up to ten years
• B. For five years
• C. Indefinitely
• D. For one year

Answer: (B)

The Notwithstanding Clause creates a temporary override of certain Charter rights. Any invocation lasts for five years at most. After those five years, the override expires unless the same legislature passes a renewal, and each renewal can last another five years. So, for a single use, the maximum duration is five years. While repeated renewals could extend the effect over many years, there isn’t a one-time override longer than five years.