Simply Stupid Canadian Laws
by Some Of Canada’s most extreme and stupid laws that are on the books are found here. Hard to believe but all true and all are on the the Canadian law books.
Being from Canada I love researching our history and laws that are on the books. I know there’s many of these on the net but I found 10 that rare and where hard to find. So feel free to check out so of Canada’s Simply Stupid Laws.
Fort Qu ‘ Appelle, Quebec
This is one of the more unbelievable laws I came across. Did you know that in Fort Qu ‘ Appelle Quebec it is illegal for a teen to walk downtown main street with his shoes untied? Its true. Who comes up with these laws?
Anywhere In Canada
Get this, it is illegal anywhere in Canada to pay for a 26 cent item in all pennies. The limit is 25 cents. If you are paying for your item in nickels, then its illegal to pay for it in nickels if its over $5. Its also illegal to pay for something over $10 dollars in all dimes. Wild!
Canada ‘ s Radio Stations
Did you know that Canadian law states that every 5 th song on the radio must be by a Canadian born citizen? Well believe it or not it is true!
Very Old ” Alberta Law
In Alberta back in the day, it was the law when a prisoner was released from jail that he would be given a gun and horse to ride out of town or city.
Ontario Provincial Law
Through out Ontario the average speed limit is 80 km/h for cars, BUT bicyclists have the right away.
Anywhere In Canada
No one in Canada is allowed by Canadian law to watch or listen to encrypted broadcast which is not licensed by the Canadian Government. This basically means that its illegal to use US satellite systems like “ Direct TV ” .
New Brunswick:
I don ‘ t know how true this one is since I live on the opposite side of the country but supposedly its illegal to buy cigarettes for minors (Under 19), but you can supply them with cigarettes as long as its not in public places. I know here where I live outside of Toronto, its illegal period to give cigarettes to children and teens.
London, Ontario:
Here ‘ s a law I found that kind of surprised me. In London, Ontario it is against the city by-law to allow your grass in your front yard to grow any taller then a inch and a half. If you do, the city will come by and cut it for you then give you a fine for $200. Crazy!
British Columbia:
Now I couldn ‘ t find a date for this law but its so off the wall it must be from around the late 1800 ‘ s or early 1900 ‘ s. There ‘ s a law on the British Columbia books that states if you ‘ re a bankrupt drunk who got thrown into jail, the law requires the jailer to bring you a bottle of beer on demand. Nuts!
All Of Quebec:
Quebec law states that all business signs must be in French. If the owner wants English on the sign then the French print has to be twice as large as the English print.
It never seems to amaze me what I find when I look into my countries history and laws!
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Post CommentEric
On March 28, 2008 at 6:29 pm
For the law about cigarettes to minors (unless it has changed recently since all the anti-smoking laws), you must be at least 18 to buy cigarettes, but be at least 16 to smoke cigarettes… That’s the law in Quebec that I haven’t checked since around 2005.
Eric
On March 28, 2008 at 6:46 pm
And for business name/signs in Quebec, it came with the law 101 during the late 80’s or early 90’s (don’t remember exactly).
When the law became active at first, they forced all businesses to change their english names and signs to be french only. Exemple: Rainbow Lodge became Pavillon l’arc-en-ciel. Not only businesses changed, as all “Stop/Arrêt” signs became only “Arrêt” signs, etc.
This caused major issues for some businesses, like Americans knew Rainbow Lodge, but couldn’t easily find it like before, now as Pavillon l’arc-en-ciel…
From what I remember, only years later they allowed to also have the sign in english, but twice as small as french…
French and english are the official languages, so why force to be french-only at the first place? They were saying Quebecers will lose their native language (french) over time…
Don’t forget that some “weird” business names (the ones that didn’t sound french, nor english, nor any particular language) had to “fight” to try to keep their names.
Last thing I want to precise on: this is only what I remember and cannot be certain of everything I said above. This was just to give information I know (or think I know).
Interesting site BTW Chris!
Rana Sinha
On April 9, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Very interesting!
“No one in Canada is allowed by Canadian law to watch or listen to encrypted broadcast which is not licensed by the Canadian Government.This basically means that its illegal to use US satellite systems like “ Direct TV ” .
Is there a punishment prescribed for violation?
Chris Hamilton
On April 9, 2008 at 6:10 pm
You know Rana these are merely laws on the books and doesn’t necessarily mean they are imposed. Im not sure though what the punishment is though but thanks for the interest.
Bertie
On April 28, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Hey Chris,
It’s amazing what you can find on the internet these days and I for one find it interesting to read some of the wild and crazy things online. Tks for the info it made me laugh especially about the pennies. I wonder how much I’d owe today had this one been practiced….. LOL Bad girl but good at it.
Had to give ya a smile and show you a little respect for all your hard work…. You learn something new every day.
Sean
On May 4, 2008 at 3:55 pm
ummm Chris? I believe Mel’s comment was directed at Ben.
Mel is agreeing with you, and yelling at Ben.
barnie the dinosaur
On October 7, 2008 at 11:36 am
sour pickles
proud west Canadian
On October 8, 2008 at 9:58 pm
New Brunswick:
I don ‘ t know how true this one is since I live on the opposite side of the country but supposedly its illegal to buy cigarettes for minors (Under 19), but you can supply them with cigarettes as long as its not in public places. I know here where I live outside of Toronto, its illegal period to give cigarettes to children and teens.
———————————-
Not sure about anyone else, but is Toronto really on the opposite end of the country from New Brunswick????
Trix
On January 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Silly Quebecers, Trix are for kids.
Marie
On March 4, 2009 at 11:39 am
In New Brunswick you must be 19 to purchase tobacco products, but you may smoke at the age of 16.
jay
On May 18, 2009 at 12:42 am
In ontario, same thing: you must be 19 to purchase tobacco products, but you may smoke at the age of 16
Jon
On June 8, 2009 at 6:38 pm
There is a Law in BC stating that it is illegal to kill a Sasquatch just so you guys have another for your list :p
Steph
On July 12, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Winnipeg- Manitoba-
There is a law which states if there are 3 or more native people meeting you are allowed to shoot them because it is considered an uprising
Ottawa-Ontario-
It is illegal to eat ice cream on bank street on a Sunday
Jessica
On November 1, 2009 at 8:37 pm
“Through out Ontario the average speed limit is 80 km/h for cars, BUT bicyclists have the right away”
both of these statements are untrue. 80-100 km is highway(freeway) 50-60 km is average for residential or city roads. 40 in school areas. and bicyclists do not have right of way but they can drive on the sides of the roads in designated bike lanes in most parts with the exception of highways(freeways) where they are not allowed.
megan square
On November 18, 2009 at 8:48 am
in london, ontario, it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to buy spray paint or SHARPIE PERNAMENT MARKERS……..
it is also illegal to leave your car running for more then 3 minuites or something like that. you also can not park on the road after 3:00 am. AWKWARD
Andréanne
On January 7, 2010 at 5:10 pm
“Québec law states that all business signs must be in French. If the owner wants English on the sign then the French print has to be twice as large as the English print.”
Canada had both english and french as official languages but in the province of Québec our only language is french it’s absolutly normal to want our signs in OUR language. Even if we learn english and understand it it’s not our mother languages usually. So this isn’t either a weird nor funny laws.
Même si vous comprenez le français aimeriez vous que vos affiches soillent dans cette langue?
April
On February 28, 2010 at 8:48 pm
sorry Kamm but I can’t read what you’ve written because of all of Canada’s Olymipic gold medals.
Aims
On May 31, 2010 at 3:43 pm
um, New Brunswik isn’t across the country from Ontario…just thought I should let you know…
buttcrackboy
On June 10, 2010 at 12:47 pm
what year was the grass law in London Ontario Made?
Albertan Hick
On November 30, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Ummmm… ya. I`m not sure that Toronto`s on the other side of the country
Actually, i`m pretty sure that the its kinda central seeing as the only big province on NB`s side is Quebec while AB, BC, SK and MB are west of Ontario… Just saying…
Val
On January 25, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Ok I can’t believe you didn’t notice BUT Québec’s official language is FRENCH. In New-Brunswick, it’s French and English and everywhere else it’s English only. Don’t forget Canada itself is a bilingual country, so there really isn’t anything weird in having all their signs in French only.
Anne-Marie Le Frog
On February 4, 2011 at 10:16 am
Yeah, Quebec can have their signs in any language the want. It makes sense that they would choose French. Having English signs would only encourage the loss of the French culture there. And if they want to keep the signs in French and discourage any large English firms from entering their province and creating additional jobs and commerce then they have that right.
NO TO WEST
On March 7, 2011 at 10:22 am
Simply Stupid, Simply Canada.
What would you expect from a stupid culture!!
Die Trolls
On April 3, 2011 at 1:40 am
@No to west Not nearly as stupid as the country that gave you education. And if Canada did, then we shouldn’t have.
OMG
On July 18, 2011 at 2:05 pm
QUEBEC IS THE SMARTEST PROVINCE LOL….
Its ok if we have stupid laws and politicians who want to seperate quebec from canada. And for all you stupid quebecquers who cant speak english learn it, cuz you guys dont even speak french, its like slang.
R Currie
On July 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Saw somewhere, Oshawa Ontario, it is illegal to climb a tree or have a clothesline in your backyard.
scarf
On November 6, 2011 at 12:04 am
“French only” signs in Quebec, Everywhere else we are force-feed french,On the money, On the food packages, On automated telehone recording, we must listen to French, The only thing that makes me happy about the “French only” signs is that They will get “English” feed to them, Hope they choke!