What major trade concept was clarified in Dominion Stores v The Queen?

In the case of Dominion Stores v The Queen, the Supreme Court of Canada addressed the balance between federal trade and commerce powers and the provincial powers to regulate local matters. The ruling clarified that while the federal government has jurisdiction over trade and commerce, there can be instances where local laws—such as those related to health, safety, and other regulatory frameworks—overlap or interact with trade regulations.

The court recognized that the federal power to regulate matters of trade and commerce does not exist in a vacuum; it can be influenced by the provinces’ ability to enact legislation in relation to local interests. As such, the decision underscored the complexity of legal frameworks governing trade, asserting that local regulations are valid as long as they do not constitute a barrier to trade or a movement towards protectionism.

This understanding emphasizes the nuanced relationship between federal and provincial powers in the context of economic regulation, which is fundamental to interpreting Canadian constitutional law. The case serves as an important precedent in clarifying how both levels of government can co-exist in regulating trade while maintaining their respective jurisdictions.