13 Weird Canadian Laws You May Have Broken Without Even Knowing
Canadians, if you think you're totally innocent, think again - In this day and age, there are a few strange laws that are still very much active in the country, and you may have been guilty of breaking at least one of them in your lifetime.
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Some of the following laws are ones you may have broken before, while the others are just ridiculous ones that are included for your own entertainment. Here are 13 weird Canadian laws you may have broken without knowing
13. Baby walkers
It is against the law in Canada to use, sell, import or manufacture baby walkers in Canada. The ban was implemented after Health Canada discovered that more than 1,900 babies (aged 5 to 14 months old) suffered injuries from using them, between 1990 and 2002.
12. Scaring the Queen
It is against the law in Canada to act with intent to alarm or cause bodily harm to Her Majesty, the Queen of England. Breaking this law could land you in a federal prison for up to 14 years.
11. Waterskiing after sunset
It is against the law in Canada to operate a vessel while towing a person on any water skis, surfboard, water sled or other object during the period from one hour after sunset to sunrise.
10. Stealing oysters
It is against the law in Canada to steal oysters from an oyster bed, laying or fishery that is sufficiently marked out as the property of another person.
9. Accepting a duel or challenging someone to one
It is against the law in Canada to challenge or provoke another person to fight a duel, or to accept a challenge to a duel. Breaking this law could land you in prison for up to two years.
8. Creating comics that depict crimes
It is against the law in Canada to make, print, publish, distribute, sell or be in possession of a comic depicting crimes and unlawful themes.
7. Pretending to practice witchcraft
It is against the law in Canada to fraudulently pretend to exercise witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment, conjuration or fortune-telling.
6. Put on an immoral theatrical performance
It is against the law in Canada to give or allow the presentation of an immoral, indecent or obscene performance or entertainment.
5. Creating a hole without proper safeguards
It is against the law in Canada to create a hole or opening in the ground or ice without ensuring that the proper safeguards are in place. If a person dies from falling into an unprotected hole, the person who created that hole is considered guilty of manslaughter.
4. Defacing a coin
It is against the law in Canada to melt down, break up or use otherwise as currency any coin that is legal tender in the country.
3. 35% of broadcasted music on radio stations must be Canadian
It is against regulation in Canada for English- and French-language stations to broadcast less than 35% Canadian content on the air each week.
2. Killing a sick person by frightening
It is against the law in Canada to cause the death of a human being by frightening him or her.
1. Cannot pay with too much change
It is against the law in Canada to pay the following amounts:
- $40 in toonies
- $25 in loonies
- $10 in 10 cents or greater (but less than $1)
- $5 in 5 cents
- 25 cents in pennies