Paul Trusten asked in USMA 14175: >Perhaps I am covering old ground on this list, but, doesn't Canada yet >forbid the use of non-SI units in trade? A letter that this afternoon I addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, and my Member of Parliament may help to explain the Canadian situation. I wrote: Dear Minister: Retail food scales were converted to weigh in kilograms in 1982-83. Section 338 of the Weights and Measures regulations requires that after December 31, 1985, only metric units shall be used for advertising food for retail trade. Obviously this regulation is not being enforced. Although this is hardly a matter affecting "peace, order, and good governement", yet pricing loose food prominently by the pound and in much smaller type by the kilogram is a nuisance for retailers and is confusing for consumers because prepackaged food always and delikatessen items usually are priced by the kilogram or 100 grams. Retailers would welcome metric pricing for loose food, but they are afraid their competition would take advantage of them by continuing to price by the pound. When is the Government going to instruct Weights and Measures to enforce Section 338? Yours faithfully, Joseph B. Reid 17 Glebe Road West Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
