let`s not dwell on that.

We certainly had a rough start to the season but
let’s not dwell on that.
Instead, I thought I’d change things up a bit
from my usual format, and give you some things
to smile about!
13 STRANGE CANADIAN LAWS
YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
We’ll start with this one: A Toronto businessman found that to sell edible underwear in his
‘Adult Entertainment’ store, he’d need a food license.
It's Illegal To Whistle in Petrolia, Ont.—A Petrolia city rep says this unusual law
simply aims to limit excessive noise between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., but according to
Article 3, 772.3.6 on the town’s website, “Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or
singing is prohibited at all times.”
According to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (which dates back to the
time of prohibition and bootleggers), you can only legally move a bottle of booze
from one province to another with the permission of the provincial liquor control board.
The situation changed on May 28th, 2012, allowing you to legally move wine, but little else.
It's Illegal To Attach a Siren To Your Bike in Sudbury, Ont. Since 1973, the only noisemakers Sudbury cyclists can attach to their bikes are bells and horns. Breaking noise
bylaws in Sudbury can lead to fines up to $5,000.
It's Illegal to Skinny Dip in Bancroft, Ont. Travel Writer Melanie Chambers highlighted this
unusual bylaw ban, and it may well still be on the books.
While it won't make you a law breaker, according to Canada’s Currency Act of
1985 there are limits to the number of coins you can use in a transaction.
Now that we’ve put the kibosh on the old penny, are you accumulating
nickels? If it’s nickels, vendors can say no to any purchase over $5,
while the loonie limit is $25.
According to Halifax’s Regional Municipality Bylaws for Taxis and Limousines,
number 42 a) stipulates drivers must wear shoes and socks, keep their attire
in neat and tidy condition at all times, and absolutely cannot wear a t-shirt.
It Was Illegal for Non-dark Soft Drinks To Contain Caffeine Sprite, Mountain Dew and other
non-dark soft drinks couldn’t contain caffeine, but that all changed in March 2010 with the
advent of “energy drinks” like Redbull. Now you can have caffeine in soft drinks like orange
and grape soda, however there is a limit, and it’s still lower than colas.
It's Illegal To Build Big Snowmen in Souris, P.E.I. Souris, P.E.I. is well-known
to summer visitors for its curious ‘Singing Sands’ Beach, but few know of a
local law that warns residents against building monstrous snowmen. If you live
on a corner lot it’s against the law to built a snowman taller than 30-inches.
Few may remember this, but thanks to lobbying by dairy farmers it was illegal to sell buttercoloured margarine in Ontario until 1995. In fact, margarine was altogether banned in
Canada from 1886 to 1948 (there was a brief reprieve
during WW1).
According to the Toronto Port Authority, you can’t swim
anywhere in the harbour that has not been designated
as a swimming area by the City of Toronto. So, if you’re
out on a boat and want to cool off, keep this in mind.
Historically, there was also a law that you couldn’t swim
in Toronto Harbor in ‘less than-seemly’ attire. Travel
writer Mark Stevens pointed out this ruling: “When the
nude beach at Hanlon’s opened Police were ticketing
using this bylaw.” That law has been updated, and you can now officially swim naked IF
you are at the nude beach.
The way Canadian law currently stand, “Everyone commits an offence who… (b) makes,
prints, publishes, distributes, sells or has in his possession for the purpose of publication,
distribution or circulation a crime comic.” For the full story read: ‘Under Arrest – Canadian
Laws You Won’t Believe’ by Bob Tarantino.
Many Canadian communities long restricted the use of clotheslines because they just
didn’t like the look of them. Now because of increased energy consciousness the provincial
government has stepped in with a ruling that
overrides neighbourhood regulations.
St. Paul residents don’t have to worry about their
kids sneaking out late at night. It’s against the law
for anyone 15 or younger to loiter in a public place
without supervision of a parent or guardian
between 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m.
A FEW CANADIAN INVENTIONS
Insulin, Treatment for Diabetes [1921, Frederick Banting, Charles Best]
Telephone [1876, Alexander Graham Bell]
Light Bulb [1874, Henry Woodward, Mathew Evans]
Five Pin Bowling [1908, Thomas F. Ryan]
Wonderbra [1964, Louise Poirier]
Pacemaker [1950, John Hopps, Wilfred Bigelow, John Callaghan]
Robertson Screw, 1908 [Peter Robertson]
Zipper [1913, Gideon Sundback]
Electric Wheelchair [1952, George Klein]
Poutine [1957, Fernand Lachance]
Cobalt-60 "Bomb" Cancer Treatment [1951, Harold Johns]
Java Programming Language [1994, James Arthur Gosling]
Bloody Caesar [1969, Walter Chell]
Canadarm [1975, Spar Aerospace/NRC]
Standard time [1878, Sir Sandford Fleming]
Electron Microscope [1939, James Hillier, Albert Prebus]
Ski-Doo [1922, Armand Bombardier]
BlackBerry [1999, Mike Lazaridis]
Radio Voice Transmission [1900, Reginald Fessenden]
Basketball [1892, James Naismith]
Retractable Beer Carton Handle [1957, Steve Pasjack]
UV Degradable Plastics [1971, James Guillet]
Instant Replay [1955, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada]
Goalie Mask [1959, Jacques Plante]
Pablum [1930, Alan Brown, Theodore Drake, Frederick Tisdall]
Lacrosse [First Peoples]
Electric Oven [1892, Thomas Ahearn]
Steam Fog Horn [1853, Robert Foulis]
Walkie-Talkie [1942, Donald L. Hings]
Alkaline Long-Lasting Battery [1959, Lewis Urry]
Paint roller [1940, Norman Breakey]
Electronic Music Synthesizer [1945, Hugh Le Caine]
Green Garbage Bag [1950, Harry Wasylyk, Larry Hansen, Frank Plomp]
Snowblower [1925, Arthur Sicard]
Self-propelled Combine Harvester [1937, Thomas Carroll]
Explosives Vapour Detector [1985, Lorne Elias]
Plexiglas [1931, William Chalmers]
CPR Mannequin: "ACTAR 911" [1989, Dianne Croteau, Richard Brault]
Ardox Spiral Nail [1954, Allan Dove]
Caulking Gun [1894, Theodore Witte]
Separable Baggage Check [1882, John Mitchell Lyons
Now, I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t at least give you some
information of value, so…
Important fire safety tips during power outages!
To reduce fire risk during a power outage, the Office of the
Fire Marshal offers the following safety tips:
Electrically-connected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
will not work when the power is out unless they have battery
back-ups. Make sure your home has battery-operated smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Everyone should know how to get out immediately if there is a fire. Plan and practice your
escape plan before emergencies happen.
Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles or hurricane lamps. If using
candles, place them in a secure holder and cover them with a glass chimney, away from
children and pets.
Propane and charcoal barbecues are for outdoor use only. Do not bring them inside.
Purchase generators with recognized approval labels. Make sure the unit has proper connection receptacles and circuit breakers. Portable generators should only be used outdoors
and carefully located to ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the home.
Allow the
generator to cool before refueling. Refuel the generator outside, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Store fuel for the generator in approved containers, outside the home.
Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor use and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions. Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly
while the heater is in use. Before refueling, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool and take
the heater outside to refuel.
Make sure electric stove elements and small appliances are OFF or unplugged to prevent
fires from occurring when the electricity is restored.
Cordless phones will not work when the power is out, so it is recommended to have at least
one phone that does not require electricity to operate.
Use extreme caution during flood emergencies and power outages. Electrical equipment
impacted by flood water can be extremely dangerous. For more important information
about electrical safety during floods, please visit the Electrical Safety Authority’s website: http://www.esasafe.com/
Further information on emergency preparedness can be found at
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/home.html
Enjoy the
beauty
of winter!