What aspect of law did the Privy Council reject in Toronto Electronic Commissioners v Snider?

In Toronto Electric Commissioners v. Snider, the Privy Council addressed a critical issue regarding the scope of federal and provincial powers in the context of regulation. The court rejected the notion that federal labour relations should take precedence in this specific case. The decision illustrated the complexity of the division of powers in the British North America Act, emphasizing the importance of recognizing provincial authority, especially relating to local matters.

In this case, the Privy Council underscored that local utility regulation, including matters pertaining to labour practices and relations, fell under the jurisdiction of the provinces rather than the federal government. This principle reinforces the idea that provinces have the authority to manage and regulate issues that are more closely tied to local interests, such as labour practices in utility services, illustrating the framework of autonomy granted to provincial governments in Canada.

The focus on federal labour relations is pivotal, as it denotes the importance of assessing the jurisdictional bounds of federal and provincial governments concerning labour laws. This directly affirms the constitutional authority vested in provinces over locality-oriented regulations.