Whereas many nations have had their fair proportion of weird, odd or outdated legal guidelines, Canada isn’t any exception. Listed below are eight of a few of the weirdest legal guidelines in Canadian historical past: These legal guidelines vary from outdated laws to community-specific bylaws that might go away you scratching your head.
In contrast to many different bizarre legal guidelines in Canada lists on the web (half of that are pretend or haven’t any proof exterior of some weblog posts like this to again them up), I’ve bought what I feel are the receipts…
1. No Comedian Guide Crime-Preventing
Within the Nineteen Forties, the Legal Code of Canada prohibited the printing, publishing, or distribution of comedian books that depicted crime. This legislation was enacted, laughably, to guard youngsters from the possibly “dangerous affect” of crime-fighting heroes. It remained in impact till the Seventies when it was repealed. Whereas the world has moved on and comedian books have grow to be mainstream, this peculiar legislation stays a testomony to a time when the nation was extra paranoid about its youngsters’s leisure.
2. No Whistling in Petrolia
The city of Petrolia in Ontario had a bylaw that banned whistling or singing in public at any time. The reasoning behind this odd legislation was to keep up peace and quiet within the city. Nonetheless, it’s unclear how strictly this bylaw was enforced. Whereas it might sound innocent, whistling or singing in public in Petrolia may have landed you in scorching water with the native authorities.
3. No Purple Storage Doorways
Within the metropolis of Kanata, Ontario, pre-amalgamation with Ottawa, it was unlawful to color your storage door purple. This peculiar legislation was created as a part of the neighborhood’s design pointers to keep up a uniform aesthetic in residential areas. Whereas many householders take pleasure in expressing themselves via their dwelling’s exterior, residents of Kanata will need to have chosen a unique hue for his or her storage doorways.
4. No Feeding Pigeons
In Victoria, British Columbia, feeding pigeons in public areas is in opposition to the legislation. This bylaw is designed to curb the pigeon inhabitants and decrease the related well being dangers and property injury that may happen because of their presence (poo). By discouraging individuals from feeding pigeons, town goals to maintain the atmosphere cleaner and extra gratifying for everybody. I don’t disagree.
5. No Spitting on Sidewalks
In lots of Canadian cities, like Vancouver, spitting on sidewalks is taken into account a public nuisance and is punishable by fines. This legislation is meant to advertise cleanliness and stop the unfold of ailments. Though it would look like a standard courtesy to keep away from spitting in public, these bylaws emphasize the significance of sustaining a clear and hygienic atmosphere for everybody.
6. No Attaching Cash to a String
Underneath the Canadian Legal Code, attaching a coin to a string for the aim of utilizing it in a merchandising machine, coin-operated machine, or every other coin receptacle is unlawful. This legislation is in place to forestall fraud and shield companies from theft.
7. No Gross sales of Spray Paint to Minors
Within the metropolis of London, Ontario, there may be (was?) a bylaw that prohibits the sale of spray paint to people below the age of 18. This legislation is in place to forestall vandalism and graffiti, which can lead to property injury and dear cleanups for town.
8. No Duelling
Earlier than lately being repealed, Part 71 of the Canadian Legal Code made it unlawful to have interaction in a duel. Duelling was as soon as a standard technique to resolve disputes however has lengthy been thought-about archaic.
Jeff is a lawyer in Toronto who works for a expertise startup. Jeff is a frequent lecturer on employment legislation and is the creator of an employment legislation textbook and numerous commerce journal articles. Jeff is fascinated about Canadian enterprise, expertise and legislation, and this weblog is his platform to share his views and suggestions in these areas.
