Does your apartment feel like a furnace because of a heatwave? Would you rather be chilling in a park and having a good time with your friends? It’s a great idea, but don’t forget to check the rules you’ll need to follow.
Hosting a barbecue, drinking a beer, tanning, listening to music… There are lots of things you might want to do in a park, but are you allowed? Here’s what the law says about these topics and more, but keep in mind that the rules might change based on your municipality, whether it be a big city or a small town, or even based on your borough in some larger municipalities. It’s always a good idea to check the current by-laws for your municipality or borough by going on their website or calling them directly.
Lighting up a smoke … not a joint
In Quebec, you’re usually allowed to smoke cigarettes in parks. However, you can’t smoke in a kid’s play area or on a sports field. But what if you want to smoke a cigarette while watching your kid have fun in the play area? You’ll have to stay at least nine metres away while you’re smoking to respect the law. And yes, that goes for electronic cigarettes too!
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Careful! Make sure you check the signs around you: some municipalities have totally banned smoking cigarettes in some or all of their parks. |
As for cannabis, “pot”, or “weed”, it’s illegal to smoke it in all public spaces in Quebec, including parks. It doesn’t matter whether you’re smoking a joint or a pipe, using a bong or vaping. That being said, municipalities have the option to adopt by-laws that allow you to smoke cannabis in certain parks.
Firing up the grill
On the topic of smoke, some municipalities allow barbecuing in certain parks. For example, you’re allowed to cook up a nice meal in several Montreal and Laval parks, as long as you stay in designated picnic areas. And if your barbecue uses charcoal, it’s important to dump the ashes in the container set up for this purpose once you’re done with your meal.
In other places, only certain types of barbecues are allowed. For example, you’re not allowed to use charcoal or briquette barbecues in Sherbrooke or in the Montreal borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie.
Finally, in Laval or Quebec City, you must have a fire extinguisher at the ready!
Cracking open a cold one
In Montreal, Laval, Sherbrooke or Quebec City, drinking alcohol is only allowed if you have it with a meal. While Quebec City doesn’t specify what counts as a “meal”, Laval’s website makes it clear that snacks don’t count. So, a bag of Doritos or a granola bar won’t cut it if you want to drink a beer in one of Laval’s parks.
Some municipalities also have designated hours for drinking alcohol (with a meal). In Sherbrooke, it’s allowed between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Guess it’s true what they say about eating supper early here in Quebec!
Walking your dog … on a leash
In Montreal, Quebec City, and Sherbrooke, dogs are generally allowed in parks, as long as they’re kept on a leash. But keep an eye out for any signs saying dogs aren’t allowed in certain areas.
Also, in Montreal, dogs that are 20 kg or heavier must wear a halter or harness that attaches to the leash. This rule doesn’t apply to service dogs or guide dogs.
And don’t forget to pick up any poop your dog leaves behind!
Tanning with your shirt off
Would you like to catch some rays and tan your bare chest? You can, because everyone has the right to walk around shirtless, no matter their gender. Municipalities can’t ban women from being bare-chested. This right has been confirmed by the courts and allows women to be in public without a shirt on, even while walking on the sidewalk or riding a bike.
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Careful! This right has its limits! For example, making a sexual gesture like caressing your body when you don’t have a shirt on could be considered public indecency. |
Rocking out … respectfully
Would you like to have a little jam session in the park with your friends? Technically you can, but the rules change from one municipality or borough to another.
Let’s take the Promenade-Bellerive as an example, a park located on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal. Using sound equipment and playing musical instruments is only allowed if you’re not bothering other people in the park.
The rules are similar in Ahuntsic-Cartierville’s parks. The Montreal borough’s website says that radios, musical instruments and other sound equipment must not disturb the peace in its parks.
Obviously, you must also respect normal hours for making noise. Nighttime jam sessions are a no-go! Also, some municipalities or boroughs may require you to get a permit to perform music in public.
