This enactment amends the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act to limit the application of its prohibitions to intoxicating liquors imported into Canada. It also makes a related amendment to the Excise Act, 2001.

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Prohibitions

3 (1)  Insertion start Despite Insertion end any other Act, no person shall import or cause to be imported into Canada any intoxicating liquor Insertion start unless it Insertion end has been purchased by or on behalf of, and is consigned to Her Majesty or the executive government of, the province into which it is being imported, or any board, commission, officer or other governmental agency that, by the law of the province, is vested with the right of selling intoxicating liquor.

(2) Paragraph 3(2)‍(a) of the Act is repealed.

(3) Subsection 3(2) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (g) and by repealing paragraph (h).

Burden of proof

4 The burden of proving the right to import, or to cause to be imported, any intoxicating liquor into Insertion start Canada Insertion end is on the person accused.

Prosecution in place where liquor imported

6 A prosecution for any offence under this Act may be brought and carried on, and a conviction had, in the city, town or place into which any intoxicating liquor is unlawfully imported or in the place where the accused resides, but no prosecution shall be brought in any province against a person not within or residing in that province without the written approval of the attorney general of that province.

Sacramental, medicinal and other purposes exempted

8 Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to forbid importing, or causing to be imported, into Canada intoxicating liquor for sacramental or medicinal purposes or for manufacturing or commercial purposes other than for the manufacture or use Insertion start of the intoxicating liquor Insertion end as a beverage.

Application — Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act

59 For greater certainty, the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act continues to apply to the importation of intoxicating liquor into Insertion start Canada Insertion end .