You’re standing at a Tim Hortons counter in downtown Toronto. You’ve got a pocket full of change and a craving for a double-double. You start stacking nickels. One, two, ten... eventually, you hit the five-dollar mark.
Legally, the cashier can tell you to beat it.
Most people think "legal tender" means a business has to take your money no matter what form it’s in. Nope. Canada’s Currency Act actually has a "limit on loose change." If you try to pay for something using more than $5 in nickels, you are technically breaking the rules of legal tender. It’s one of those weird laws in Canada that feels like a myth until a grumpy merchant points it out.
Canada is a massive, polite, slightly eccentric country with a legal system that’s part British tradition, part "we should probably fix that," and part hyper-specific local annoyance. Some of these rules are ancient relics buried in the Criminal Code. Others are brand-new bylaws passed by small-town councils who really just wanted some peace and quiet.
The Criminal Code’s Greatest Hits (That Are Still Real)
Let’s talk about the big stuff. Federal law. You’d think the Criminal Code of Canada would be strictly reserved for serious business like theft or assault.
Well, it is. But it also has a very specific opinion on wizards.
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Until quite recently, section 365 made it illegal to "pretend to exercise or use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration." Now, before you hide your tarot cards, the law was updated to focus on fraudulent witchcraft. Basically, you can't charge someone money to "find a lost item using occult science" if you're just making it up. But the fact that "conjuration" is still a word in our modern legal documents is honestly fantastic.
Then there’s the dueling.
Section 71 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who "challenges or attempts by any means to provoke another person to fight a duel" can face up to two years in prison. This isn't a joke from 1867. It’s still there. You cannot challenge your neighbor to a 10-pace pistol match because his dog barked at your cat.
The Local Bylaws: Where Things Get Truly Bizarre
While the federal government handles the sorcerers and duelists, municipal governments handle the real "boots on the ground" weirdness. This is where you find the stuff that makes tourists squint at their guidebooks.
Petrolia’s War on Noise
If you find yourself in Petrolia, Ontario, keep your whistling to a minimum. Specifically, the town’s noise bylaw prohibits shouting, whistling, or singing in public between 11 PM and 7 AM. It’s not that the town hates music; they just really, really value their sleep.
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The Great Snowman Restriction
Head east to Souris, Prince Edward Island. If you live on a corner lot, don't get too ambitious with your winter decor. Building a snowman—or any snow sculpture—taller than 30 inches is a no-go if it blocks the view of traffic. It’s a safety thing, sure, but it’s a bit of a buzzkill for the kids.
The Rat-Free Dream of Alberta
Alberta is famously the only "rat-free" province in Canada. They take this so seriously that it is illegal to own a pet rat. No exceptions. No "but he's a fancy rat." If you bring a rat into Alberta, you’re looking at a $5,000 fine. The province has a literal Rat Patrol that responds to sightings. It’s a vibe.
The "Is That Actually Real?" Checklist
Since the internet loves to invent "weird laws," let's separate the facts from the fiction.
- Purple Garage Doors in Kanata: You’ve probably heard it’s illegal to paint your garage door purple in this Ottawa suburb. Verdict: Myth. While some neighborhood associations (HOAs) might have restrictive covenants about colors to keep things looking uniform, there is no city bylaw banning purple. Paint away.
- No Ice Cream on Sundays: People swear it's illegal to eat ice cream on Bank Street in Ottawa on Sundays. Verdict: Mostly Myth. This was an old "Lord's Day Act" style rule from the early 1900s aimed at public decorum. It’s not enforced, and you won't get cuffed for a scoop of mint chip.
- Margarine Color: For decades, Quebec forced margarine producers to keep their product white so it wouldn't be confused with butter. Verdict: Historical Fact. This law was actually real until 2008. Now, thankfully, your toast can be yellow regardless of what you spread on it.
Why Do These Laws Exist?
Most weird laws in Canada started with a very logical, very boring reason.
The "no painting wooden ladders" rule in Nova Scotia? It’s not because the government hates DIY. It’s a safety regulation for workplaces. Paint can hide cracks or rot in a wooden ladder. If you can't see the damage, you fall. If you fall, the Workers' Compensation Board gets a headache. So, no paint.
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The coin limit? It’s for the sake of the person behind you in line. No one wants to wait while you count out 500 pennies for a five-dollar sandwich.
Practical Insights for Navigating Canada
Honestly, most of these laws aren't going to get you arrested. You aren't going to have a SWAT team bust down your door because you whistled "O Canada" at midnight in Petrolia. However, knowing the local quirks helps you avoid fines and, more importantly, avoid being "that person."
- Check Your Change: If you’re paying with coins, stay under the limits. For loonies (one-dollar coins), the limit is $25. For toonies (two-dollar coins), it’s $40.
- Respect the Trees: Cities like Oshawa, Ontario, have strict rules against climbing trees on municipal property. It’s a $250 fine. Keep your feet on the ground.
- Taxi Etiquette: If you’re a cabbie in Halifax, leave the t-shirt at home. You need a collared shirt or a blouse. It’s about "professionalism," even if it’s 30 degrees outside.
- Quebec Schools: As of 2026, students in Quebec are officially required to use the formal "vous" when addressing teachers. It’s a return to traditional manners that’s now hard-coded into the system.
The best way to stay on the right side of the law in Canada is to just be "excessively Canadian." Be polite, don't make too much noise after dark, and maybe keep the snowmen to a reasonable height.
If you're planning a move or a trip, your best bet is to check the specific municipal website for the town you're visiting. Search for their "Consolidated Bylaws." It’s dry reading, but you might find out that your plan to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street in Toronto is actually prohibited.
Seriously. That one is on the books too.
Stay informed, stay polite, and keep your pet rats out of Alberta.