In 1829, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia overturned the conviction of a man charged with engaging in a recreational amusement on the Sabbath. A justice of the peace had spotted him playing an early form of hockey. The ruling elicited a lengthy letter to the editor of the (Pictou) Colonial Patriot from an outraged reader who feared the consequences of the Court’s decision.

Every idler who feels disposed to profane the Lord's day, may now secure from any consequences turn out with skates on feet, hurly in hand, and play the delectable game of break-shins without any regard to laws which were made solely for the 'levity of manners which prevailed in the days of Charles 1st,' and which are declared by our Judges to be of no validity.