A viral rumour came from TikTok that Canada had banned forks. The content creator claimed forks were absolutely banned. The creator revealed that forks were unavailable to buy online as a result of the Great Canadian Fork Fight.
After knowing the rumour, you may be wondering whether or not forks are illegal and prohibited in Canada. If you do not know yet the history of the Great Canadian Fork Fight of 1812, you can also find the information about it in our post below. Here you go!
Get to Know about the Great Canadian Fork Fight of 1812
It is known that the war of 1812 lasted from 1812 to 1814. This tragedy was a military conflict between Great Britain and the United States. Canada was swept up in the War of 1812 as a colony of Great Britain and was invaded several times by the Americans.
The Great Canadian Fork Fight of 1812 was fought in Upper Canada, Lower Canada, in the United States and on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. The peace treaty of Ghent (1814) ended the war, largely restoring the status quo.
The war of 1812 origins were in the conflict which ranged in Europe for almost two decades once Napoleon Bonaparte became First Consul (later Emperor) of France. Those Napoleonic Wars (1799 – 1815) led Great Britain to adopt measures which greatly aggravated the United States.
The Myth of Canada Fork Fight of 1812
Last year, since they are considered weapons, a rumor broke out that Canada banned forks. The rumour began once a viral video on TikTok claimed that using forks is illegal in Canada. A rumour revealed that they are not available for sale in stores or on Amazon. The rumour video attributed the ban to the Great Canadian Fork Fight of 1812.
However, that’s far from the truth and no such fights happened. The video simply takes the 2020 announcement by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change about banning all single-use plastics including forks, out of context.
By 2030, the single-use plastic ban is part of the country’s goal of zero plastic waste. Well, those are part of the items on the list, as plastics forks are single-use items. Others include six-pack racks, plastic bags, plastic utensils, stir sticks, food containers and plastic straws.
Just like other countries, plastic waste is a major issue in Canada and most of this waste, 91% goes unrecycled. Of course, it is not surprising, as most of the waste is single-use plastic, particularly in packaging materials.
Even though the law is not in effect yet, several establishments are already adjusting in advance. The federal government has revealed the ban on single-use plastic would become effective in 2022. Restaurants and other businesses in which forks are part of the trade will have time to set to the new rule.
When Did Canada Finally Ban the Use of Forks?
By 2015, the Canadian Government banned the use of forks in an attempt to protect the society and reduce pollution. In this case, many Canadian argued that forks are important utensils and considered necessary too, while eating. The decision then was extremely controversial and produced a lot of arguments and debate.
However, after all the arguments and debate, the Canadian Government stands by its decision. The decision makers resisted the people’s arguments stressing that forks are not always needed since there are some other ways to eat food without forks.
Reasons Why Forks Technically Illegal in Canada
There are some reasons why forks are officially illegal in Canada, including:
- Carrying or moving around with a fork in Canada can be viewed as a disorderly conduct.
- Forks are actually considered illegal in Canada, since they can be used to threaten or even stab someone to death.
- Possible to encounter severe penalties if you’re caught using a fork in a crime.
- Some prisons and correctional facilities in Canada view forks as a contraband item.
- Forks are considered weapons in Canada and as such, illegal.
- You’re likely to face additional charges if you’re found with a fork in prison.
- You could be charged for unlawful possession of a weapon if you’re found moving around with a fork in Canada.
- Trading forks in Canada is also considered illegal.
- Selling of forks in Canada will aggregate to an offence of weapon trafficking.
- A fork can evenly be used to commit theft, robbery or burglary since they can be used in place of a dangerous weapon.
What Kitchen Utensils Are Illegal in Canada?
It is known that Canada has strict laws on knives. In Canada, the law on knives is the closest thing to a kitchen utensil being illegal. Most knives are officially illegal to be carried around. The law applies specifically to knives which can open automatically, such as any knife with a blade which opens automatically as centrifugal force is implemented or because of gravity or hand pressure on a button or spring or any device on the blade which causes it to open.
Such a knife is considered a weapon, it will be confiscated. There is also the risk of a jail term to carry such a weapon. Furthermore, you should know what tools to make your own utensils that you will need and what materials you will need. There are those materials to make utensils including a wire coat hanger, a couple of sticks, a handful of tinfoil, a fork and a piece of string.
Why Can’t We Prohibit the Use of All Plastics?
In fact, humanity cannot simply give up all use of plastic. However, it does not mean that the person cannot modify their behaviour. Of course, people probably make a simple change by decreasing their usage of plastic and adhering to correct recycling procedures.
Taking those steps will not only assist the environment, but also make your life more sustainable. Every year, Canadians throw three million tonnes of plastic waste, as reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Reportedly, around 91% of this trash is not recycled.
The federal government revealed in November 2021 that final regulations would take effect sometime in 2022. There is a transition period for the businesses to adapt to the ban.
