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In a series inspired by a colleague, the ‘Richmond Sentinel’ presents some interesting laws that simply don’t sound real in the Province of Nova Scotia.

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I can’t believe that’s a law: Nova Scotia Edition

By Matthew Cheung

Published 1:06 PDT, Fri June 6, 2025

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DISCLAIMER: The following article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Richmond Sentinel. In the previous edition, we took a look at the quirky laws and bylaws found in the Province of Quebec, as part of our 13-part series. In this edition, we head to the province famous for whale watching, also known as Nova Scotia, to see what quirky laws and bylaws were or still are enforced today.

1. Back in the 1980s, taxi and limousine drivers were not permitted to wear t-shirts. Though the law doesn’t explicitly say that, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, according to By-law T-1000, “a driver must maintain a high standard of personal hygiene which will be reflected in a neat, clean, and professional appearance and personal cleanliness at all times.” (Halifax Regional Municipality) Though it does not specifically say that t-shirts and shorts are not permitted, the expectation is that taxi drivers maintain a professional appearance, which can include a shirt with a collar and sleeves, pants, and socks at all times. To this day, bylaw T-1000 is still enforced.

2. Easter is regarded by the general public as a holiday for renewal and new beginnings. Young baby chicks are associated with the symbol of new life, which results in them being commonly associated with Easter. In Nova Scotia however, a law had to be created in order to ban the sale of dyed baby chicks. The main purpose behind this act was to prevent animal cruelty and discourage the impulse purchases of dyed animals. In 1989, the act was formally organized into the Baby Chick Protection Act. Anyone found guilty of violating the Baby Chick Protection Act is “liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days or to both”. (Baby Chick Protection Act)

3. In 1811, the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia enacted a law that prohibited sledding in the streets of Halifax. According to the act, those found guilty of breaking such law were subjected to a penalty of 20 shillings and their parents may also be arrested. Ultimately the law stopped being enforced in 2014 but remains a notable part of Halifax’s legal history. Additionally, though it is no longer enforced, sledders should still practice safety when participating in snow sports as parents can be fined over $400 if a parent lets their child ski without a helmet and over $140 if their child rides a bike, skateboards, scooters, in-line or roller skates bareheaded. (Snow Sport Helmet Act)

4. With the chaos around the world and the financial stress of the global economy, many will opt for a nice cold drink to kick back and relax. However, amongst 105 communities in Nova Scotia, that is not the case. In Nova Scotia, over 100 communities are dry communities, where the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited. However, there is a way for a community to reverse said status, and that is by holding a plebiscite. A plebiscite is a vote by the people on a specific issue and is the only way for those communities to reverse their “dry” status. One does wonder how this would affect their tourism industry.

If you think we missed any quirky laws in the province, feel free to email us at newsroom@richmondsentinel.ca or comment under the post on one of our social media accounts. In the next edition, we travel to the province where the Bay of Fundy can be found, to see what quirky laws or bylaws were or still are enforced.