Canada is known for its politeness, breathtaking landscapes, and multicultural cities. But tucked beneath the maple syrup and moose sightings lies a legal code filled with some seriously strange laws.
While most of these rules aren’t enforced anymore, they’re still technically on the books and they range from quirky to downright hilarious.
Whether rooted in history or just a case of outdated bureaucracy, these laws show a lighter side of the Canadian legal system.
Here are 15 silly Canadian laws that defy logic and make you wonder what inspired them in the first place.
1. It’s Illegal to Whistle in Petrolia, Ontario
In the quiet town of Petrolia, a law bans yelling, shouting, and whistling in public. The law was designed to keep the peace, but it seems a bit extreme.
Imagine getting fined for cheerfully whistling your favorite tune on a sunny afternoon. While it’s meant to maintain order, it’s an oddly specific rule that has raised a few eyebrows.
2. You Can’t Attach a Siren to Your Bicycle in Sudbury
Bicycles are a common mode of transport in many Canadian towns, but in Sudbury, Ontario, you better leave the siren at home.
According to local regulations, cyclists can’t equip their bikes with bells or sirens that resemble emergency vehicle signals.
The idea is to prevent confusion on the roads, but banning something as harmless as a playful siren feels more like a war on fun.
3. It’s Against the Law to Remove a Bandage in Public
Yes, you read that right. In some parts of Canada, there’s a law that forbids people from taking off bandages in public spaces.
While there’s no real danger from seeing a bandage being removed, perhaps lawmakers were aiming for public hygiene or modesty. Still, enforcing such a law seems both impossible and unnecessary.
4. Don’t Pay with Too Many Coins
While Canada doesn’t shy away from coins, don’t go overboard with them. According to the Currency Act, you can’t use more than 25 loonies ($1 coins) or 5 nickels (5¢ coins) in a single transaction.
So, if you’ve been saving up loose change to buy a new pair of shoes think again. This rule was likely introduced to protect cashiers from coin-counting nightmares, but it feels oddly specific and outdated in an era of debit cards.
5. Keep Your Ice Cream Cone Off the Sidewalk in Ottawa
In the nation’s capital, a bizarre bylaw makes it illegal to eat ice cream on Bank Street on a Sunday.
While enforcement is rare (or non-existent), this rule probably stems from old Sunday laws rooted in religious observance. Either way, it’s strange to think enjoying a cone could once have been a punishable act.
6. It’s Illegal to Swear in a Public Park in Toronto
Canada is known for its politeness, but Toronto took things a step further with a bylaw that bans profane language in city parks.
Meant to create a family-friendly environment, this rule technically allows officers to fine you for a public outburst after a missed frisbee catch.
It’s unclear how often this law is enforced, but it certainly captures Canada’s reputation for keeping things civil.
7. Don’t Scare a Child in Alberta
It’s against the law in Alberta to cause a child to become frightened. While the spirit of the law likely centers on protecting minors from psychological harm or abuse, the wording leaves a lot of room for interpretation.
Accidentally making a kid jump at Halloween could technically land you in legal hot water talk about a buzzkill.
8. No Water-Skiing at Night in Ontario
In Ontario, water-skiing after sunset is strictly prohibited unless the skier is carrying a waterproof flare gun.
The logic here is about visibility and safety, which is understandable but how many nighttime skiers are truly lighting up the lake with flare guns? It’s an unusual blend of safety regulation and spectacle.
9. Keep Your Purple Garage Door Paint in Check in Kanata
Residents of Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa, might want to think twice before painting their garage doors purple.
While it sounds made up, this bylaw is part of local housing regulations meant to maintain a uniform neighborhood appearance.
It’s a great example of how some homeowners’ associations take aesthetics very seriously,y sometimes at the expense of self-expression.
10. No Climbing Trees in Oshawa
In the city of Oshawa, climbing a tree in a public park could land you in trouble. The bylaw was likely introduced to prevent injuries and lawsuits, but many locals aren’t even aware it exists.
For adventurous kids and nostalgic adults, it seems like a law that steals a bit of joy from everyday outdoor fun.
11. No Skinny-Dipping in Public
While skinny-dipping is frowned upon in most public places, Canada has some surprisingly strict laws about it.
In many provinces, public nudity is considered an indictable offense, even if it’s done with no ill intent. So, if you were thinking of a cheeky midnight swim in a remote lake, better make sure no one’s watching.
12. Clear Snow from Your Sidewalk Or Else
In many Canadian cities, homeowners are legally required to remove snow from the sidewalks in front of their property within a certain number of hours after a snowfall.
While it makes sense to keep paths safe, the fines can be steep, and in severe storms, it can feel more like punishment than civic duty. Fail to shovel fast enough, and you might get ticketed even if the snow keeps falling.
13. No Dragging a Dead Horse Along Yonge Street in Toronto
This one sounds like a punchline, but it’s actually a law. In Toronto, dragging a dead horse down Yonge Street is illegal.
The origins likely date back to the 19th century when horses were common modes of transportation. Though totally irrelevant today, the law still remains on the books an amusing relic of a bygone era.
14. Keep Your Garage Sale Clean in St. John’s
If you’re hosting a garage sale in St. John’s, Newfoundland, be careful: the city has rules about how long your signs can stay up.
Failing to take them down promptly can result in a fine. It’s one of those small-town regulations designed to keep the streets tidy, but it can feel overly controlling for people just trying to declutter their homes.
15. Taxi Drivers Must Carry Hay in Montreal (Or They Used To)
Back in the day, Montreal had a law requiring taxi drivers to carry a bale of hay in their vehicles. Why? Because taxis were once horse-drawn carriages, and horses needed snacks.
While this law has long been obsolete, it was technically still part of the city code for years. It’s a humorous reminder of how modern laws sometimes forget to catch up with technology.
Alicia Richards