Psychics are illegal in Alberta?

[Jas]

While looking up dumb laws in the 'Humor' section, I came across this one

Citation: 365. Every one who fraudulently

(a) pretends to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration,

(b) undertakes, for a consideration, to tell fortunes, or

(c) pretends from his skill in or knowledge of an occult or crafty science to discover where or in what manner anything that is supposed to have been stolen or lost may be found,

is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 323.

So does this mean that psychics are illegal? I can't recall anyone ever being charged under this law

 

[Bronze Dog]

Citizens of Alberta, unite! See to it that this law, if real, is enforced!

Now I kind of wish I lived in Alberta. Suspect it's too cold for this Texan, though.

 

[AOK Tiger]

They argue of cause they are not "fraudulently" doing these things.

The laws should just state anyone who CLAIMS they can do these things should be charged.

 

[Gr8wight]

While looking up dumb laws in the 'Humor' section, I came across this one


So does this mean that psychics are illegal? I can't recall anyone ever being charged under this law

I think if you looked, you'd find similar old statutes on the books of many jurisdictions across North America. I recall a line from a Bruce Springsteen song:

"Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
For telling fortunes better than they'd be..."

 

[Jas]

So if they say they're telling 'real' fortunes, then they aren't doing them fraudulently...

However, if their predictions didn't come true, then they could be charged, correct?

 

[lumos]

That makes Jeee-sus a criminal in the eyes of Alberta!