Canada has a reputation for being polite, full of natural beauty, and maybe a little obsessed with hockey. But beyond the maple syrup and friendly smiles, the government also has some truly odd laws—rules that make you wonder who came up with this and, more importantly, why.
Pet Rats in Alberta Are Not Allowed
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Alberta is so determined to stay rat-free that owning one is straight-up illegal. The province has actual “rat patrol” officers who investigate any suspicious rat activity. If you’re ever caught hiding one, there are real consequences because Alberta wants to protect its farms and cities from infestations.
Whistling at Night? Not in Petrolia, Ontario
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Love to whistle a tune while strolling at night? If you’re in Petrolia, Ontario, we highly recommend you don’t. The town has a bylaw that bans whistling, singing, or shouting between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. It’s crazy how you can get fined just for humming your favorite song.
No Giant Snowmen in Souris, Prince Edward Island
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Building a snowman is among winter’s greatest joys, but in Souris, the town has a rule that bans snowmen taller than 30 inches. That’s barely above knee height! The idea is to prevent blocked views and potential hazards, but who’s really out here tripping over Frosty?
Don’t Drag a Dead Horse Down Yonge Street on a Sunday
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This one sounds made up, but it’s actually an old law in Toronto that is no longer implemented today. Yonge Street was once a major route for farmers, and somehow, dragging a dead horse down the road became enough of an issue that they had to make a rule about it then.
Paying With Pennies? Not If It’s Over 25 Cents
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Even though Canada stopped making pennies in 2013, there’s still a law that says you can’t use them for payments over 25 cents. The government put it in place to prevent people from hoarding or dumping excessive change.
Noisy Parrots Will Cost You in Oak Bay, British Columbia
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Getting a ticket because your parrot had too much to say one morning sounds like a bummer, but those living in Oak Bay and owning one know they must keep them quiet. The town has a bylaw that fines owners if their pet birds make too much noise.
Painting a Wooden Ladder? Not in Nova Scotia
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For some reason, Nova Scotia decided that painting a wooden ladder was a bad idea—so bad that they made it illegal. The reasoning behind this one is actually kind of smart: paint can hide cracks or weaknesses in the wood and make the ladder unsafe.
Taxi Drivers in Halifax Must Dress to Impress
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Next time you hop in a cab in Halifax, take a look at the driver’s outfit. Chances are, they’re wearing a collared shirt because T-shirts are banned for taxi drivers there. The city enforces a dress code to keep things looking professional at all times.
Swearing in French Can Get You in Trouble in Quebec
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Quebec is serious about preserving its language and culture, including keeping public conversations clean. Swearing in French in a public space can actually have you fined. If you get caught cursing in the wrong place at the wrong time, you’ll end up with more than just a few dirty looks.
Fake Witchcraft? That’s a Crime in Canada
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It’s totally fine to practice witchcraft in Canada, but pretending to be a witch to scam people is illegal. This law was enforced when a woman in Ontario got arrested for charging people hundreds of dollars to remove “evil spirits.”
No Margarine Dyed Yellow in Quebec
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For decades, it was illegal to sell margarine that looked too much like butter in Quebec. The province banned yellow-dyed margarine to protect the dairy industry, ensuring consumers weren’t tricked into buying the fake stuff. The law has since been repealed, but for years, Quebecers had to settle for white margarine.
No Water Guns on Halloween in New Brunswick
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Don’t grab a water gun for your Halloween costume in New Brunswick, which has a law banning anyone from carrying a toy weapon—including water guns—while trick-or-treating. It’s meant to prevent confusion and keep things safe, but it’s still wild to think that your innocent squirt gun could technically land you in trouble.
Keep Your Chimney Clean—or Else—in Fredericton, New Brunswick
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Most folks agree that cleaning your chimney is a good idea, but in Fredericton, it’s not just a suggestion—it’s the law. Homeowners must have their chimneys swept at least once a year, or they could face fines. The law was likely put in place to prevent house fires.
No Climbing Trees in Oshawa, Ontario
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If you ever feel the urge to relive childhood memories by climbing a tree in Oshawa, Ontario, don’t. The city has an official bylaw banning people from scaling trees on public property to prevent injuries. However, it seems like a fun-killer for anyone who loves a good tree climb.
Don’t Pay for a Cab with Too Many Coins in Ontario
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In Ontario, if you try to pay for your cab fare using only coins, you might be breaking the law. The Currency Act limits how much you can pay in loose change—up to $10 in small coins like nickels and dimes. No more coins for your next cab ride!