MONTREAL — Health Minister Rona Ambrose ordered a crackdown on groups that illegally advertise marijuana and re-stated the Conservative party’s pledge to keep storefront dispensaries illegal Saturday on the eve of the expected launch of a federal election campaign.

“Today I directed Health Canada to create a task force to crack down on illegal marijuana advertising,” Ambrose said in a statement.

“This task force will ensure that those who engage in such illegal activities are stopped, and should these illegal activities continue, promptly referred to law enforcement.”

Health Canada issued a statement saying it will begin actively monitoring marijuana advertising instead of acting mostly on the basis of complaints.

Under current law, only regulated parties such as licensed producers are allowed to advertise basic, non-promotional information.

Ambrose’s pre-campaign statement made multiple references to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and described his stance on marijuana as “irresponsible.”

“While Justin Trudeau wants to...