Did you know that you can’t keep rats as pets in Alberta, and you’re not allowed to paint a garage in purple in Ontario? Find more weird laws in this article.
Although most of these laws seem rather unusual, it’s important to note that many of them were passed decades ago. For certain reasons, they have by now lost their meaning. You can be doing your daily routine without even suspecting that you are breaking a law.
1. It’s Forbidden to Pay in Coins
Many Canadians often get rid of the change by using it to pay for chocolate bars at the nearest gas station. However, paying for purchases with a lot of coins is prohibited. According to the Canadian government, you are allowed to use only 25 loonies (a Canadian one-dollar coin) and 5 coins of 25 cents each. So if you are thinking of paying C$30 for food in loonies, be aware that it’s actually illegal across the country.
2. It’s Illegal to Drag a Dead Horse Along the Street
You may think that this law is completely made up, but the regional police in York have confirmed that it is illegal to drag a dead horse along Yonge Street in Toronto. However, what makes this law even stranger is that it is illegal to do this only on Sundays. This means that if you want to drag a dead horse on Monday, feel free to do it.
3. It’s Illegal to Remove a Bandage in Public
Although many of us have publicly removed old bandages from wounds, this could not be done under Canadian law. If you remove the bandage somewhere in public, including parks or sidewalks, you can consider yourself a criminal.
4. It’s Not Allowed To Carry a Snake in Public
This is the most reasonable law on this list since it may not seem weird to those who are afraid of snakes. In Fredericton, New Brunswick, it is forbidden to carry a snake or any other reptile in public. For example, you cannot carry a snake along the street, wrapping it around your neck. But you can take your reptiles outside if you have a cage or container that completely restricts the animal.
5. It’s Unacceptable to Hold Too Many Sales
If you are thinking about getting rid of some of your junk, keep in mind that it’s illegal in Toronto to arrange too many garage sales within one year. According to the Toronto Municipal Code, it is forbidden to hold more than two garage sales a year in any residential area. It is also illegal for a sale to last more than two days.
6. It’s Illegal To Accidentally Scare a Child to Death
Although it’s obvious that murder is a crime, there is one very specific law in Canada that sounds somewhat strange. According to the Canadian government, it’s illegal to scare a sick person or child to death. However, it actually seems incredible to scare someone so badly that he or she will die.
7. It’s Forbidden To Pick Trillium
Since the plant of trillium is a symbol of Ontario, it should not come as a surprise that it occupies a special place in the hearts of the inhabitants of the province. If you see one of these beautiful flowers, do not pick it. In Ontario, it’s forbidden to pick trillium in provincial parks and reserves. However, if you see a plant on your own property, you can pick as much as you want.
8. It’s Illegal to Bring Llamas to National Parks
According to the Canadian National Parks Guide, it is illegal to bring llamas to any national parks. But that’s not all. Canadians can also be fined if they bring sheep, goats, pigs or live birds to any national park. Therefore, the next time you go on a family trip, do not put a llama in the car — you simply will not be let in.
9. It’s Illegal to Own a Domestic Rat
If you live in Alberta, you cannot keep a rat as a pet. Since the 1950s, several laws have been passed in Alberta prohibiting the keeping of rodents.
10. It’s Forbidden To Paint Doors in Purple
If you want to decorate your home by painting the garage door a new color, you should stay away from purple. In the Kanata neighbourhood of Ottawa, residents cannot paint their garage doors and house doors in purple.
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Although not all of these laws apply everywhere in Canada, you should still be aware of them, especially if you are planning a trip with your rat, snake or llama, if your pockets are stuffed with coins, and if you are about to arrange a 3-day sale before you leave.