10 Crazy Canadian Laws That You Didn't Know Existed (2024)

While many laws are often put in place throughout Canada to keep the people of the nation safe and healthy, some laws out there aren't as detrimental as others. In fact, some Canadians laws may even seem a little bit unusual when it comes to present-day times. We did a little digging and found 10 crazy Canadian laws that you probably didn't know about.

While a majority of these laws seem quite unusual, it's important to note that many of these laws existed decades ago for certain reasons that no longer matter in present-day society. While Canada is constantly changing laws to make us a more progressive and understanding society, it seems that a few outdated laws have slipped through the cracks.

1. It's Illegal To Pay With Too Many Coins

While many Canadians often want to get rid of their extra change by using it to pay for a chocolate bar at the nearest gas station, it's actually illegal to pay with too many coins.

According to the Government of Canada, you are only allowed to use a certain number of coins before it becomes illegal. For example, you are only allowed to pay with $25 worth of loonies and $5 worth of nickles.

So if you were thinking about paying for a $30 meal in loonies, it's actually illegal throughout the nation.

2. Dragging A Dead Horse Down The Street Is Illegal

While you may think that this law is completely made-up, York Regional Police confirmed that it is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street in Toronto.

However, what makes this law even more bizarre, is that it is only illegal if you do it on a Sunday.

Which means, if you wanted to do it on a Monday, there's no law that's telling you that you can't. Of course, police highly recommend that you don't make this your next Monday activity.

3. It's Illegal To Take A Bandage Off In Public

While many of us have been guilty of tearing off an old bandage in public, according to York Regional Police, this is actually illegal under Canadian law.

While the law seems completely crazy, if you take off your bandage anywhere in public, including parks or sidewalk streets, you can consider yourself a criminal.

4. It's Illegal To Carry A Snake In Public

While this law might be bizarre for some, for those who are afraid of snakes, it may seem like the most reasonable law on this list.

In Fredericton, New Brunswick, it is illegal to carry a snake, or any other reptile, in public. While you can't carry a snake down the street around your neck, the city of Fredricton states that you can take your reptiles out in public if you have a cage or container that completely confines the animal.

5. It's Illegal To Have Too Many Garage Sales

While you may be thinking about purging through some of your junk, beware that in Toronto it is actually illegal to throw too many garage sales in one year.

According to the Toronto Municipal Code, it is illegal for anyone to hold more than two garage sales a year on any residential area. It is also illegal for your garage sale to last more than two days.

6. It's Illegal To Accidentally Scare A Child To Death

While it may be clear that killing anyone is an illegal offense, there's one very specific law throughout Canada that sounds a bit off.

According to the Government of Canada, it is illegal to cause the death of a sick person or child by scaring them. However, actually being able to scare someone so much that they die seems pretty improbable.

7. It's Illegal To Pick A Trillium

With Trillum's being the provincial flower of Ontario, it's no wonder that it holds a special place in the hearts of Ontarians. However, according to York Regional Police, if you spot one of these beautiful flowers, leave them be.

It is illegal to pick a Trillium in Ontario throughout Provincial Parks and conservation areas. However, if you find one growing on your own property, you're able to pick as many as you want.

8. It's Illegal To Bring A Llama Into A National Park

While National Parks are open to the public throughout Canada, the Government of Canada makes it very clear that only a certain kind of animals are welcome.

According to the National Parks of Canada guidelines, it is actually illegal to bring llamas into any National Parks at any time. However, it doesn't stop there. Canadians can also be fined if they are caught bringing sheep, goats, pigs or live poultry into any national park.

So next time you take a family road trip, you may want to leave your farm friends at home.

9. It's Illegal To Have A Pet Rat

If you're a resident of Alberta, it's actually illegal for you to have a rat as a pet. According to the province of Alberta, since the 1950s Alberta has had multiple laws in place to keep their province rodent-free.

As part of this practice, it is illegal to own a rat in the province, no matter what the reason.

10. It's Illegal To Paint Your Garage Door Purple

If you're looking to spruce up your home a little bit by painting your garage door a new colour, you might want to stay away from purple.

In Kanata, Ontario Donnell Law Group states that a city by-law prohibits its residents from painting their garage door and house door purple.

While not all of these laws apply everywhere in Canada it's still good to keep in mind, especially if you are travelling with your pet rat, snake, and llama, carrying only coins, and having a 3-day long garage sale before you leave.

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10 Crazy Canadian Laws That You Didn't Know Existed (2024)

FAQs

10 Crazy Canadian Laws That You Didn't Know Existed? ›

Some outdated, weird laws in Canada include the following: In Ponoka, Alberta, one must not build a mud hut or a house with a straw roof. In Collingwood, Ontario, one must not let their Canadian flag snap in the wind. Coloured margarine is illegal in Quebec.

What are three strange laws that exist only in Canada? ›

Some outdated, weird laws in Canada include the following: In Ponoka, Alberta, one must not build a mud hut or a house with a straw roof. In Collingwood, Ontario, one must not let their Canadian flag snap in the wind. Coloured margarine is illegal in Quebec.

Is it illegal to scare the king in Canada? ›

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau signing the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982 (Robert Cooper/Library and Archives Canada/PA-141503) Under section 49 of the Criminal Code it is illegal to wilfully alarm or scare the King.

Why is it illegal to paint your garage door purple in Canada? ›

One of those myths stated that Kanata—which is now under the City of Ottawa, Ontario after amalgamation in 2001—had a bylaw saying you couldn't paint your garage or door purple. It's all over the internet, but not true, according to City of Ottawa archivist Theresa Sorel.

What are the weirdest laws in BC? ›

Read about these strange and wacky laws and more in Weird British Columbia Laws: * From 1947 to 1986, it was illegal to sell stoves on a Wednesday in Vancouver * Kelowna once permitted nude bathing in any public waters, but only between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am * In Port Coquitlam, it is against the law to own more than ...

What is the strangest law in Canada? ›

The weirdest Canadian law is illegal to paint wooden ladders in the province of Alberta. According to the Alberta government's Occupational Health and Safety Code, a person must not paint a wooden ladder.

What is the silly law in Canada? ›

(6) It is illegal to scare the King in Canada.

Section 49 of the Criminal Code makes it crystal clear that scaring the King is a big no-no. In fact, if you wilfully alarm His Majesty in any way, you could be charged with an indictable offence and face up to fourteen years in the slammer.

Where is it illegal to swear in Canada? ›

If you are holidaying in Toronto something to remember is that it is illegal to swear in a public park. The rule, as described in the Toronto Municipal Code, says, “While in a park, no person shall indulge in riotous, boisterous, violent, threatening, or illegal conduct or use profane or abusive language.”

Is it illegal to smell bad in Canada? ›

Smelling bad is illegal in Canada

Anyone offending a public place with a foul smell could face around two years in jail.

Is it illegal to swear in Canada? ›

Swearing at someone is generally not illegal in Canada, as freedom of speech is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, there are exceptions where the use of profanity might be considered criminal, such as if the language used constitutes hate speech or threats of violence.

What does a purple painted door mean? ›

Throughout history, purple dye was extremely rare and expensive, meaning the color purple has come to be synonymous with wealth and royalty. A purple front door indicates not only financial prosperity but a richness in the quality of your life, as well as a sense of honor.

What are some controversial laws in Canada? ›

Here are some of the most controversial Canadian laws of recent times.
  • Bill C-36: “The Prostitution Bill” In most countries, prostitution is illegal. ...
  • Bill C-51: “The Anti-terror Bill” ...
  • Bill C-10: “The Broadcasting Act bill” ...
  • Bill C-10: “The Federal Bill” ...
  • Expat Voting Laws.
Aug 4, 2015

What is color of right in Canadian law? ›

A colour of right is a defence to certain property-related offences. It is an honest belief on the part of the accused that they had a right to possess certain property, despite that there was no true basis for the belief in fact or law.

What are two weird laws in Canada? ›

Did you know it's against the law to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street in Toronto (but only on Sundays!), or that one PEI town has made it illegal to build a snowman more than two-and-a-half feet tall?

What is the weirdest law in history? ›

One of the most weird California laws is certainly from Arcadia, where peaco*cks have the right of way. Yes, you read that right. This means that peaco*cks are considered town citizens and are granted the right of passage in various areas, including driveways and all roadways within Arcadia.

What is the most weirdest law in the world? ›

10 Curious and Strange Laws From Around the World
  • It Is Illegal Not to Smile in Milan, Italy. ...
  • Anti-Money Destruction Laws in Scotland. ...
  • The British Salmon Act. ...
  • Anti-Chewing Gum Regulation in Singapore. ...
  • Gaming Ban for Citizens of Monaco. ...
  • Illegal to Climb Trees in Oshawa, Canada. ...
  • It is Illegal to Feed Pigeons in Venice.
Apr 26, 2024

What are 5 laws in Canada? ›

In this blog post, we will explore five laws in Canada that are particularly interesting and important.
  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ...
  • Cannabis Act. ...
  • The Residential Tenancies Act. ...
  • The Criminal Code of Canada. ...
  • The Environmental Protection Act.
Jun 11, 2022

What are the 3 sources laws originate from in Canada? ›

The law in Canada is made of two parts: Case law and Legislation. Both are primary sources for Canadian law.

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