There are so many Canadian laws that are either federal, provincial and territorial, or local.
You could be breaking laws in this country without knowing it — especially laws that are pretty weird.
Some of these rules and regulations have big fines you'll be on the hook to pay if you're found guilty of an offence.
Here are a bunch of federal laws and laws in Ontario, B.C., Alberta and other provinces you could be breaking without even knowing it.
Passing a snow plow — Ontario
It's illegal to pass snow plows on Ontario highways, according to the provincial Highway Traffic Act.
On a highway with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour or more that has marked traffic lanes, you're not allowed to overtake a snow plow travelling in a formation with another plow.
Every person who violates this while driving a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence.
You could be liable to pay a fine between $150 and $1,000.
The only exception is when the lane you're using to pass the snow plow is completely clear of any part of the snow plow, which includes any part of an attachment or the plow blade.
Driving certain vehicles on highways — BC
B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act regulates which vehicles can be used on highways in the province.
A person is not allowed to use or operate any of the following motor vehicles on a highway unless otherwise authorized:
- an air cushion vehicle
- a golf cart
- a neighbourhood zero-emission vehicle
- a snow vehicle
- a snowmobile
- a utility vehicle
- a beverage cart
- a miniature motor vehicle
So, if you wanted to drive a snowmobile down a highway after a snowstorm, doing so would be breaking the law.
Paying with coins — Canada
Canada's Currency Act sets out rules for paying with coins in this country.
You might not know it but there's actually a limit to how many coins you can use to pay for something.
Payment in coins is legal tender for no more than these amounts for the following coin denominations:
- $40 if the denomination is $2 or greater but does not exceed $10
- $25 if the denomination is $1
- $10 if the denomination is 10 cents or greater but less than $1
- $5 if the denomination is five cents
- 25 cents if the denomination is one cent
So, you can't use more than 20 toonies or 25 loonies in a single payment.
Also, you can't use a coin that's bent, defaced, or reduced in weight (except through ordinary use) because it's not considered a current coin.
Driving too slow — Ontario
You probably know that you can get in trouble with the law for driving too fast but you probably don't know that the same goes for driving too slow.
Ontario's Highway Traffic Act states that no motor vehicle is allowed to be driven on a highway at such a slow rate of speed that it impedes or blocks the normal movement of traffic.
The exception is when a slow speed is necessary for the safe operation of your vehicle relating to circumstances on the road.
If you fail to comply with this, you're guilty of an offence and liable to pay a fine of $150 to $1,000 upon conviction.
Clearly displaying your address — Alberta
Did you know that by-laws related to property addressing exist in Calgary?
"It is important that emergency responders can find a specific home as quickly as possible and they rely on clearly posted addresses on the front and back of your home," the by-law states.
So, under the Community Standards By-law, addresses must be:
- clearly visible from the roadway
- clearly displayed at the back of your property, if adjacent to an alley or public walkway
Fines for violations of these regulations range from $100 to $300.
Dog walking — Ontario
Toronto has a by-law about dog walking that regulates how many dogs you can walk at one time while at a park in the city.
According to the by-law, while in a park in Toronto:
- no person shall have control of more than six dogs
- no person shall have control of more than three dogs unless authorized by a commercial dog walker permit
If you walk a lot of dogs in Toronto parks, you could be failing to comply with this by-law.
Shooting off fireworks — Newfoundland
There is a fireworks by-law in St. John's, Newfoundland that prohibits the use of fireworks except on certain days at certain times.
According to the by-law, no person shall discharge family fireworks within the boundaries of the city except:- between 7:30 p.m. on July 1 (Canada Day) and 12:30 a.m. the following day
- between 7:30 p.m. on December 31 (New Year's Eve) and 12:30 a.m. the following day
- any other day and time as designated by the Council
- any building, structure, doorway, or vehicle
- any highway, street, lane, square, road, or other public place
- any land that they do not own unless the owner has given written permission
Family fireworks are low-hazard fireworks used for recreation and are commonly referred to as consumer fireworks.
Using certain highway lanes — Ontario
Ontario's Highway Traffic Act mandates that slow vehicles must travel on the right side of the road.
Any vehicle travelling a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic needs to be in the right-hand lane or as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
Every person who violates this section while driving a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence and could be fined between $150 and $1,000 upon conviction.
No right turn at a red light — Quebec
Turning right on a red light is not allowed on the island of Montreal and in other places in Quebec where a sign prohibits it.
Signs prohibiting turning right at a red light may be posted at certain intersections for these reasons:
- insufficient visibility distance
- restricted lane width so that trucks and buses encroach on opposing lanes
- unusual shape of the intersection
- a protected zone with a pedestrian light
- a significant number of pedestrians or cyclists crossing at the intersection
- proximity to a railroad
- a conflict between the right turn manoeuvre at a red light and the movements of visually impaired people
Turning right at a red light can also prohibited for only a certain time on certain days.
Cyclists are required to follow the same rules as vehicle drivers when turning right on a red light, according to the provincial government.
Using winter tires and chains — BC
Whether you're new to B.C. or have been living in the province for a long time, you might not know about the requirement for winter tires or chains.
Sections of B.C. highways require winter tires or chains from October 1 to April 30.
Some highways that aren't located through mountain passes or high snowfall areas only have the requirement until March 31.
Drivers must obey winter tire and chain signs throughout the province during those times.
If you go beyond the signs without the proper equipment, you could be forced to turn around and be subject to a fine.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, B.C.'s winter tires or chains rules has fines of:
- $121 for passenger vehicles are not equipped with winter tires
- $598 for commerical vehices that bypass an active chain up area
- $196 for commercial vehicles not carrying chains
Using skateboards, in-line skates and scooters — Newfoundland
Thinking about using a skateboard, in-line skates or scooters in St. John's? Well, there's a by-law that prohibits that in parts of the city.
It's an offence for a person to ride on or operate a skateboard in these public spaces or any part of the sidewalk or roadway of these streets:- Water Street (including the War Memorial and Harbour Side Park)
- Duckworth Street
- New Gower Street
- George Street (including Prince Edward Plaza)
- Springdale Street (Water to New Gower)
- Hutchings Lane
- Buchanan Street
- Princess Street
- Waldegrave Street
- Steers Cove
- Queen Street
- Holdsworth Street
- Adelaide Street
- Bishop's Cove
- McBride's Hill
- Ayre's Cove
- Baird's (Clift's) Cove
- Prescott Street (Duckworth to Water)
- St. John's Lane
- Holloway Street (Duckworth to Water)
- Cochrane Street (Duckworth to Water)
- Hill O'Chips
- Quidi Vidi/Rennies River Trail
- Victoria Park
- Bannerman Park
- Bowring Park
Also, it's an offence for a person to in-line skate in these public spaces:
- War Memorial
- Harbour Side Park
- Prince Edward Plaza
- Quidi Vidi/Rennies River Trail
- Trails forming part of the Grand Concourse
- Virginia River Trail
Nobody is allowed to ride on or operate a scooter in the following public areas:
- Trails forming part of the Grand Concourse
- Virginia River Trail
Behaving properly in public — Alberta
There is a Calgary by-law about public behaviour to "regulate problematic social behaviours that may have a negative impact on the enjoyment of public spaces."
It includes these rules:
- fighting is prohibited in public places
- spitting is not permitted in any public place or public or private property
- standing or placing one's feet on tables, benches, planters, or sculptures is not permitted in a public place
If you violate these regulations, you could be fined between $50 and $300.
Using provincial emblems — Manitoba
The Manitoba Emblems Act regulates who is allowed to use the Armorial Ensigns of the province, which is sometimes called "the original Coat of Arms."
Unless granted permission by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, no person — other than the Government of Manitoba or a member of the Executive Council for the purposes of the government — can mark, print, carve, engrave, reproduce, publish, display, or make use of the Armorial Ensigns of the province.
You can't do so in a way that gives the impression that the government, a member of the Executive Council, or a member of the Legislative Assembly is associated with or responsible for it.
Every person who fails to comply with this Act is guilty of an offence and liable to pay a fine up to $100 for every day the offence continues or imprisonment of up to three months.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
