News release

Is cigarette advertising 'free speech'?
Canada's Supreme Court to hear final arguments in tobacco industry challenge to federal advertising restrictions.

(Ottawa) – Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSC) today made public the legal arguments that will be presented to the Supreme Court during the the Supreme Court hearing on the constitutionality of the 1997 federal Tobacco Act.

"The importance of the central question of this court challenge to public health cannot be understated," said Cynthia Callard, PSC's executive director. "The court is being asked to decide whether the Charter  protects the rights of corporations to encourage harmful behaviour or whether it protects communities' rights to set limits on business activities when they cause harm."

To assist the media and the public who might be interested in this case, PSC is providing web access to the arguments filed in court.  (Additional documents can be obtained by calling the number below).

Available are:

Federal government:

• Factum (English)

• Factum (French)

• Cross Appeal Factum (English)

• Cross Appal Factum (French)

Provincial governments

• British Columbia

• Saskatchewan

• Manitoba

• Ontario

• Quebec

• New Brunswick

Tobacco companies

• Factum

The Canadian Cancer Society

• Factum (English)

• Factum (French)

For further information, contact Cynthia Callard or Neil Collishaw at 1 613 233 4878