June 26, 1951 (21st Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. Gardiner:

The bill does not change
the position in any way in relation to the importation of substitutes. Margarine has never been mentioned as a product either in this bill or in the act. The term used is "substitutes for butter", and substitutes are in exactly the same position as before, in that they could not be imported into Canada. There is other legislation dealing with imports which makes more specific provision, but so far as this act is concerned there is no change in that regard. This act has to do with the decision made first by the Supreme Court of Canada and then by the privy council to the effect that this parliament has no authority to prohibit the manufacture and sale within the provinces of substitutes for butter. That is an authority which rests with the provinces. All we have done is to take out those parts on which we had no

authority in the first place; and if the provinces desire to pass them, they may do so. The province of Quebec has already done so, and so has Prince Edward Island. The other provinces can do the same thing if they so desire.