Yes, that’s also perfectly fine legally! Leaving money scattered on the street in Canada is not a crime. A few practical notes though: ∙ Anyone can pick it up — once it’s on the ground in a public space, it’s essentially abandoned and finders can legally keep small amounts ∙ No obligation to return it — people who find it generally have no legal duty to turn it in, especially small amounts ∙ You can’t reclaim it — once you leave it, it’s gone; you’d have a hard time claiming it back ∙ Very large amounts might technically require someone who finds it to make reasonable efforts to locate the owner, but for scattered small bills/coins this is a non-issue in practice So if you want to scatter some cash around as a random act of kindness and make some strangers’ days, go for it — it’s a lovely thing to do and completely legal. 😊 that’s completely legal in Canada! Giving your own money away to strangers is entirely within your rights. A few things to know: It’s totally fine to: ∙ Hand cash to passersby as gifts ∙ Give money to strangers on the street ∙ Distribute your own funds however you like Minor things to be aware of: ∙ It’s a gift, not income — small personal gifts generally aren’t taxable for the recipient in Canada ∙ No strings attached — as long as you’re not charging for something or running a business, there’s no licensing needed ∙ Mental capacity — if someone tried to argue you were not of sound mind, family members could theoretically challenge very large giveaways, but this is very rare and unlikely for casual street giving ∙ Safety — practically speaking, handing out cash publicly could attract unwanted attention or crowds Some people do this as a form of generosity or social experiment and it’s perfectly fine. There’s no law in Canada against being generous with your own money. Is this something you’re planning to do? If so, that’s a pretty kind thing!
