The revenge of pennies: The limit on coins in commerce
If you are thinking about paying a 50-dollar debt using only one-cent coins to annoy someone, know that in Canada this is illegal. The Currency Act sets strict limits to prevent “metal overflow” at cash registers. Although the penny was withdrawn from circulation in 2013, the law still states that no one is required to accept more than 25 cents in one-cent coins. For one- and two-dollar coins (loonies and toonies), the limit is 25 and 40 dollars, respectively. Go beyond that, and the shopkeeper can simply tell you to turn around and take your bucket of metal with you.
Absolute silence: Whistling prohibited in Petrolia
In Petrolia, Ontario, peace is not a suggestion, it is an order. The city’s municipal noise bylaw is one of the strictest in the country, prohibiting “shouting, yelling, booing, whistling, or singing” at any time of day or night. While most cities only enforce these rules after 10 p.m., Petrolia wants you to keep your mouth shut 24 hours a day. The law aims to protect residents’ peace and quiet, but ended up turning the town into a paradise for those who hate any display of human joy.
Natural staircases: Hiding defects with paint is forbidden
In Alberta, if you have a wooden staircase, it is best to leave it in its original color. The province’s Occupational Health and Safety Code prohibits painting wooden staircases. The reason is purely physical: paint can hide cracks, knots, or rot in the wood, turning the staircase into a deadly trap. For safety inspections to be effective, the wood must be visible or, at most, covered with a transparent varnish.
Margarine limits: The crime of the yellow color
For decades, in Ontario and Quebec, it was illegal to sell margarine that had the same yellow color as butter. The law was created to protect Canada’s powerful dairy industry. Margarine manufacturers were forced to sell the product in a pale, unappetizing white. At times, margarine even came with a packet of coloring for consumers to mix in at home if they wanted the appearance of butter. The law was fully repealed only in 1995 (Ontario) and 2008 (Quebec).
Removing a band-aid in public is prohibited
In Victoria, British Columbia, there is an old municipal law that prohibits people from removing adhesive bandages (the famous band-aids) in public places such as streets or parks. The goal was to prevent biological waste and the “unpleasant sight” of wounds from bothering other citizens. If the bandage is coming loose, it is better to wait until you get home or find a well-hidden restroom.
Research sources: Government of Canada, Seven Seas Worldwide, Town of Petrolia, Alberta, The Canadian Encyclopedia, City of Victoria,
