Question for Canadian forumites: "Merry Christmas" illegal?

[Elizabeth I]

A relative of mine has someone visiting from Canada. While we were having dinner together one night, the Canadian visitor said that it is now illegal to say "Merry Christmas" in Canada - that protests by members of non-Christian religions and of other cultural groups had resulted in banning the phrase "Merry Christmas."

While this sounds patently ridiculous to me, please, someone from Canada, confirm how ridiculous it is. I don't want to argue with the guest; I just want the quiet satisfaction of knowing I'm right.

(If this is in the wrong sub-forum, please feel free to report it and have the mods move it somewhere else.)

 

[rockinkt]

I'm Canadian.
Your friend is wrong.

 

[100]

Nope, never heard of "Merry Christmas" being illegal here.

 

[Wirelight]

Not illegal. Other than the whole pc thing of "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holiday's", there's nothing illegal about wishing others a Merry Christmas. Of course, we still have nonsense like this make some headlines

http://www.globalsaskatoon.com/comp...playing+merry+christmas/6442771925/story.html

 

[TragicMonkey]

Canada is so much closer to the North Pole, they must be sensitive about Xmas lest Santa frown upon them for he has missiles capable of reaching Toronto, their capital.

 

[Belz...]

It's not illegal. Someone is wrong or pulling your leg.

 

[Border Reiver]

Just another Canuck chiming in with, "No, Merry Christmas is NOT illegal."

 

[Spindrift]

A relative of mine has someone visiting from Canada. While we were having dinner together one night, the Canadian visitor said that it is now illegal to say "Merry Christmas" in Canada - that protests by members of non-Christian religions and of other cultural groups had resulted in banning the phrase "Merry Christmas."

While this sounds patently ridiculous to me, please, someone from Canada, confirm how ridiculous it is. I don't want to argue with the guest; I just want the quiet satisfaction of knowing I'm right.

(If this is in the wrong sub-forum, please feel free to report it and have the mods move it somewhere else.)

Sounds like Maple Leaf fan. There hasn't been a Merry Christmas in 46 years.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

Canada is so much closer to the North Pole, they must be sensitive about Xmas lest Santa frown upon them for he has missiles capable of reaching Toronto, their capital.

But at least they are red and white striped missiles that bring joy and gaiety along with the terror, death and destruction.

Sounds like the same rubbish as the British 'Winterval' and American 'Happy Holidays' annual Christmas Paranoia-and-Lies-athon, enjoyed so much by the poor oppressed Christians of these countries.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds like you found the Canadian version of the Christmas Warrior. I didn't know we exported those - would you like more?

 

[Doubt]

Sounds like you found the Canadian version of the Christmas Warrior. I didn't know we exported those - would you like more?

Shhhhh........They will close the border if they know we are exporting them.

 

[Mojo]

Sounds like you found the Canadian version of the Christmas Warrior. I didn't know we exported those - would you like more?

We have them in the UK as well. Many of them seem to work for the tabloid press.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Every December a terrible fight breaks out in Canada between St Santa and the White Witch. Their armies rampage across the frozen wasteland and the Canadians hide in their homes which are built atop trees in their magic forests. So far the battles always end in stalemate, with the exhausted Santa and Witch making angry love atop a pile of dead warriors. But one day the Canadians, led warrior princess Alanis, will find the lost Amulet of Dion in the Temple of Degrassi, and then they will drive the invaders from their icy jungles forever.

 

[godless dave]

Every December a terrible fight breaks out in Canada between St Santa and the White Witch. Their armies rampage across the frozen wasteland and the Canadians hide in their homes which are built atop trees in their magic forests. So far the battles always end in stalemate, with the exhausted Santa and Witch making angry love atop a pile of dead warriors. But one day the Canadians, led warrior princess Alanis, will find the lost Amulet of Dion in the Temple of Degrassi, and then they will drive the invaders from their icy jungles forever.

Is this in any way related to the Canadian folk legend of By-Tor and the Snow Dog?

 

[LaurelHS]

Just another Canuck chiming in with, "No, Merry Christmas is NOT illegal."

I'll chime in too. As far as I know, there are no plans to make Merry Christmas (or Joyeux Noel to use our other official language) illegal in Canada. It would be ridiculously hard to enforce a law like this anyway.

 

[Pacal]

A Canucks 2 cents. No Merry Christmas is not illegal in Canada. no such legislation has been passed and no such court ruling exist. Your friend was either pulling your leg or lying for Jesus. There are of course the usual silliness hear of the made up war against Christmas. I suppose your friend heard something about various levels of government using the phrase Happy Hollidays and referring to Holiday Trees and the like and then coming to the inane / insane conclusion that wishing people Merry Christmas is illegal.

 

[Weak Kitten]

It's only illegal if you fail to post it in both French and English!

But seriously, where do people get these silly ideas?

 

[Mojo]

It used to be illegal in England and parts of America, but that was down to Christian fundamentalists.

 

[brodski]

We have them in the UK as well. Many of them seem to work for the tabloid press.

They can also hold senior positions in government, such as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

 

[Border Reiver]

Every December a terrible fight breaks out in Canada between St Santa and the White Witch. Their armies rampage across the frozen wasteland and the Canadians hide in their homes which are built atop trees in their magic forests. So far the battles always end in stalemate, with the exhausted Santa and Witch making angry love atop a pile of dead warriors. But one day the Canadians, led warrior princess Alanis, will find the lost Amulet of Dion in the Temple of Degrassi, and then they will drive the invaders from their icy jungles forever.

Those battles stopped years ago, Alpha Flight defeated both armies while the people were led to safety by Stompin' Tom.