Canada Day is a time to celebrate the country’s birthday, but it’s also a day when many governments across the country implement new laws and taxes while everyone’s partaking in the festivities of the long weekend.

In Ontario, the province’s antiquated booze laws are being swept away as new, relaxed regulations allow multi-day events to apply for a single permit that allows organizers to carry over liquor from one day to the next.

The new law also reduces the categories for special occasion permits to three from nine, which would apply to events like birthdays, weddings, charity fundraisers and festivals.

Ontarians can also now apply for the permits at designated Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores, instead of just their local one.

The Ontario Science Centre in Toronto will hike its general admission fee for adults to $22 from $20, but won't change prices for children, youth, seniors or adult tickets to OMNIMAX movies.

In Toronto, retailers won’t have to charge shoppers five cents for a plastic bag thanks to city council, which also banned them beginning in 2013.

Also in Ontario, anyone earning more than $500,000 a year now faces a two per cent surtax on their income.

Tougher impaired driving laws take effect in Alberta, meaning anyone whose blood alcohol concentration measures more than .08 will have their licence suspended for an indefinite period.

In Quebec, professional drivers -- including taxi and bus drivers -- face a licence suspension of 24 hours if caught consuming alcohol on the job.

In Manitoba, daycare fees rise by $1 a day, and in British Columbia motorcyclists are now banned from wearing so called “beanie” or “skullcap” helmets.

Violators will risk a $138 ticket.

British Columbia’s carbon tax also rises one cent on Canada Day, adding almost seven cents to the cost of a litre of most fuels.

Many B.C. residents say they support environmental initiatives, but grumble about paying the carbon tax, wondering where the money actually goes.