Are Forks Illegal In Canada? | The Great Canadian Fork Fight Of 1812
Are Forks Illegal In Canada? | The Great Canadian Fork Fight Of 1812. Yes, forks are illegal in Canada. And No, forks are legal in Canada. There are some solid explanations to these answers. Historically, there was a Canadian Law that was promulgated in 1879 stating that a person can only eat using some specified utensils or their hands.
Owning or using a fork in Canada is legal. But you can only use it in a private setting. Let say in your house and not in public places. Anyone who found going against this law will be fined $200 CAD. This law is still in force (with a little twist) till today although not strictly enforced.
In Canada, the most common type of forks used in Canada is carabiner-style forks. These forks can easily be converted into weapons. As such, they can be used to cause serious bodily injuries. This, among other things is what the Canadian Government are trying to prevent. Hence, using a fork in public is prohibited. Having said this, using of a fork to eat should be done privately in Canada rather than in public.
Are metal forks banned in Canada?
In Canada, it is illegal to eat with a fork. This is because the Canadian government believes that it is not practical for people to eat with a fork in a country where most people are using their hands to eat. So, it is the Canadian government’s opinion that forks are useless in a country where people eat with their hands. You may not agree with this opinion, but the United States does not prohibit eating with a fork, so, it is up to you to decide if forks are legal or not.
Why are forks illegal in Canada?
The reason why forks are illegal in Canada is because they are classified as weapons. This is a memorandum issued by the Ministry of Justice to all law enforcement agencies in Canada. It was not written to get rid of forks in Canada, but it was written to prevent their use as weapons.
The Great Canadian Fork Fight Of 1812
The War of 1812, which lasted from 1812 to 1814 was a military conflict between the United States and Great Britain. As a colony of Great Britain, Canada was swept up in the War of 1812 and was invaded several times by the Americans. The war was fought in Upper Canada, Lower Canada, on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, and in the United States. The peace treaty of Ghent (1814), which ended the war, largely returned the status quo.
The origins of the War of 1812 were in the conflict that raged in Europe for almost two decades after Napoleon Bonaparte became First Consul (later Emperor) of France. These Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) caused Great Britain to adopt measures that greatly aggravated the United States.
Reasons why forks are illegal in Canada
The reasons for this ban are, however, highlighted as follows:
- Carrying or moving around with a fork in Canada can be seen as a disorderly conduct.
- Forks are considered illegal in Canada because they can be used to threaten or even stab someone to death.
- It is possible to face severe penalties if you are caught using a fork in a crime.
- Some prisons and correctional facilities in Canada see forks as a contraband item.
- Forks (most especially carabiner-style) are considered weapons in Canada and as such, illegal.
- If you are found with a fork in prison, you are likely to face additional charges.
- If you are found moving around with a fork in Canada, you could be charged for unlawful possession of a weapon
- Trading forks (whether online or offline) in Canada is also considered illegal.
- Selling of forks in Canada will amount to an offence of weapon trafficking.
- A fork can equally be used to commit theft, burglary or robbery as they can be used in place of a dangerous weapon.
When did Canada finally ban the use of forks?
In 2015, the Canadian Government banned the use of forks totally in an attempt to protect the society and reduce pollution. Many Canadian argued that forks are vital utensils and considered necessary, too, while eating. The decision then was highly controversial and generated a lot of arguments and debate.
But upon all the arguments and debate, the Canadian Government stands by its decision. The decision makers countered the people’s arguments stressing that forks are not always necessary as there are several other ways to eat food without forks.
