He said in part:
“There is no philosophical justification for such a law unless the obscenity threatens the existence of the state. In the case of a rich, growing and vital country like Canada, such a suggestion is ridiculous. It is fantastic that in a democracy there should be any limitation placed on what people read or on their tastes unless there is a clear and present danger to the state. This law concedes that members of Parliament have a monopoly on taste, which is an opinion I do not hold.”
The remarks created a flurry of calls and letters including one addressed to university President Walter Thompson demanding that Cronkite be dismissed.
Cronkite weathered the storm and remained dean until 1961.