
The Most Ridiculous Laws in Canada Will Shock You
1. You Can’t Whistle in Petrolia, Ontario
The town of Petrolia has a bylaw that prohibits “yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing” in public at certain hours. So, if you’re a fan of late-night karaoke, you might be breaking the law!
2. No Pet Rats Allowed in Alberta
Alberta has a province-wide ban on owning rats as pets. This law, originally intended to control wild rat populations, unfortunately includes domesticated, harmless pet rats.
3. Snowball Fights Can Be Illegal
Believe it or not, throwing snowballs is against the rules in some Canadian municipalities. Cities like Surrey, BC, and certain areas of Quebec have bylaws that prohibit throwing projectiles, a classification that includes snowballs. So, watch out – that friendly snowball fight could technically land you in trouble.
4. No Ice Cream on Sundays in Ottawa (Technically!)
An old bylaw in Ottawa once made it illegal to sell ice cream on Sundays. Though rarely enforced, it’s an example of outdated laws that were never officially repealed.
5. You Can’t Swear in a Public Park in Toronto
Under Toronto’s municipal code, it’s illegal to use profanity in a public park. If you get too passionate about a baseball game or stub your toe, watch your language—you could face a fine!
6. Witchcraft Is Technically Illegal
Until 2018, the Criminal Code of Canada still had an old law making it illegal to pretend to practice witchcraft, fortune-telling, or sorcery for fraudulent purposes. While it was meant to target scams, it was a strange and outdated law that remained for decades.
7. You Can’t Paint a Wooden Ladder in Alberta
In Alberta, it’s illegal to paint a wooden ladder. The logic behind this law is that painting a ladder can hide cracks or weaknesses, which could lead to safety hazards. However, it’s still an oddly specific law.
8. You Can’t Pay With Too Many Coins
According to Canada’s Currency Act, you can’t use too many coins to make a purchase. For example, businesses are legally allowed to refuse more than $25 in loonies or more than $5 in nickels for a single transaction.
9. You Must Have a Minimum Number of Cows to Call Your Farm a Farm in Quebec
Quebec once had an agricultural law requiring farms to have at least 50 cows to be officially recognized as a farm. This law made it difficult for small dairy farmers to qualify for certain subsidies.
10. It’s Illegal to Transport a Llama in a Taxi in BC
Under BC’s transit laws, you’re not allowed to transport a llama in a taxi. While it’s not clear how often this problem has occurred, the law remains strangely specific.