Canada’s Quirky Side: 10 Bizarre News Stories You Must Read

Canada – often seen as a land of politeness, maple syrup, and stunning natural beauty. But beneath that calm exterior lies a treasure trove of stories so peculiar, they could only happen in the Great White North. Get ready to chuckle, scratch your head, and maybe even say “Eh?” as we dive into ten of the most wonderfully weird news items to come out of Canada.

10. Diaper Box Deception: A Crafty Cover-Up

In January 2021, an Ontario resident redefined “resourceful” when pulled over by the police. Their vehicle sported license plates ingeniously crafted from Pampers diaper boxes! The driver had cut the cardboard to size and attached printed fake license numbers. The Brant County OPP wryly commented on social media that the driver realized it was time to ‘change’ things up. A for effort, but this creative solution didn’t quite pass inspection.

9. The Case of the Courteous Cleaners

Picture this: you’re away, and your neighbor calls to say two strangers are in your house… cleaning it! This puzzling scenario unfolded in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia, in October 2018. Two women, apparently at the wrong address, entered an unlocked home and proceeded to vacuum and mop. The RCMP, while commending the neighbor’s vigilance, used the incident as a friendly reminder to lock doors. Who wouldn’t want such well-meaning, albeit mistaken, home invaders?

8. Party Crashers with a Side of Salsa

When the RCMP in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, heard about a large underage university party in 2015, they decided to RSVP in a unique way.Posting on Facebook, they announced their attendance, promising snacks and a list of potential charges for misbehavior. True to their word, officers arrived with chips and salsa, mingled with the students, and even set up a checkpoint to deter drunk driving. The result? A safe party and zero fines. Now that’s community policing!

7. Zamboni Operator’s Wild Ride

An ice hockey game in Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes, Manitoba, took an unexpected turn in 2015. The Zamboni driver, responsible for cleaning the ice, ended up damaging the rink between periods. It turned out the driver was intoxicated. Reports suggest he crashed into the boards, damaging both the rink and the Zamboni. The driver faced charges including impaired driving. The team manager had to explain to his young players that the Zamboni driver “had issues.”

6. The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist

It sounds like a movie plot: a massive theft of Canada’s liquid gold. In 2012, nearly 2.7 million kilos (that’s 5.95 million pounds!) of maple syrup, valued at CAN$18 million, vanished from a Quebec warehouse. Barrels were found drained and refilled with water. An extensive investigation involving multiple agencies led to arrests and the recovery of about two-thirds of the sweet loot. This heist was enough syrup to top 183 million pancakes!

5. The Most Canadian Car Theft Ever

In a display of peak Canadian politeness, a “car theft” in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, in December 2018 had a surprisingly courteous resolution. A woman reported her white Hyundai Santa Fe stolen from a parking lot where she’d parked next to an identical vehicle. It turned out the driver of the other SUV had mistakenly gotten into hers and driven off. Upon realizing the error, the accidental “thief” returned the car… after filling it up with gas! Naturally, the owner reimbursed him for the fuel. Only in Canada!

4. Winter Festival Frozen Out by… Winter

Montreal’s “Festival of Snow” is an annual celebration of all things winter. Ironically, in January 2019, the event was canceled for the first time in over a decade due to… a snowstorm. With temperatures predicted to feel like -29°C (-20°F) with wind chill, organizers deemed conditions too dangerous. It takes a truly formidable storm to make even Canadians say it’s too cold and snowy for a winter festival!

3. Highway Hockey Game Amidst a Pile-Up

When life gives you a massive highway pile-up in Quebec, you make… hockey! In January 2019, after a crash involving 40-75 vehicles closed Highway 40 near L’Assomption, stranded motorists didn’t just wait. True to Canadian spirit, some broke out skates, sticks, and a puck for an impromptu game of street hockey on the snow-covered road. While the final score remains unknown, the video footage went viral, showcasing classic Canadian resilience.

2. The Peculiar Case of the Cucumber Connoisseur

Toronto police dealt with a rather unusual incident in May 2017. A 49-year-old man was caught committing an indecent act in a public library while holding a cucumber in one hand and… well, you get the picture. He had apparently committed a similar act the previous month. When staff spotted him again, cucumber in tow, they quickly called the authorities. Constable David Hopkinson wryly noted, “I don’t think he had any free hands to make any threats.”

1. NHL Lockout Leads to Bedroom Goal Scoring

During the 2012 NHL lockout, hockey fans apparently found other ways to “score.” Retailers reported a significant surge in sales of sex toys, lingerie, and intimacy guides, with some seeing increases of over 15%. One store owner in Edmonton suggested that with no hockey to watch, people needed “better ways to spend our time.” It seems when the rinks are empty, Canadians get creative in finding alternative forms of entertainment.

These stories offer a glimpse into the wonderfully weird and often hilarious side of Canada. From inventive solutions to unexpected acts of politeness and downright bizarre occurrences, the Great White North never fails to surprise.