Jack of all Trades said:
I have Quebec`s casino games law in front of me and there is absolutely nothing in it that says that it`s illegal to count cards at blackjack. Also keep in mind that casinos in Canada (at least the ones in Quebec anyway) are state-owned and they have to respect the charter of rights ; they just can`t discriminate and kick someone out unless that person breaks the law.
I`ve only heard of one case of a pro blackjack player who was denied entry... I think he sued the casino after that (and won a few K`s with the lawsuit
Ontario Gaming Control Act can be viewed here: (Dead link: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_990385_e.htm)
You can only be banned if you fall under the exclusion of individuals list. Section 35 details the reasons and that a hearing must be convened and you must be notified in writing. Essentially if you have been banned elsewhere, you're an employee or supplier, convicted cheat, or involved with organized crime you can be banned. If they ban you for any other reason (with the exception of enforcing a volountary ban, that ammendment is now law) your rights are being violated.
As Sonny said, they can kick you out, but will have to make up a reason i.e. intoxicated, underage, harassment of staff, occupancy limit, etc which if it is false can get them in trouble but the onus is on you to fight for your own rights. Once when I was in a particularly bad mood from some negative variance, I was teaching a player how to count cards at a nickel table. After being threatened and told what I was doing was illegal I dared the PC to have me arrested as it was her duty to do so if I was breaking the law. She then whispers in the dealers ear and the dealer announced "this player is making me unable to perform my job". I think they were going for the employers duty to providing a harassment free workplace angle... female dealer, female PC, it was a good play. It got pretty tense and all the other players left the table. I really didn't want to play the shoe at this point so I lodged a complaint with player services and got a letter of apology from the table games manager a week later and left it at that. I suppose I should have showed some more balls and started moving from table to table to force the issue a bit, but the players (tourists) at my table were very intimidated by the casino personnel and I felt bad that it had ruined their night though they didn't blame me. The letter and spirit of the law is not unambiguous, it is clearly on the side of the players. Protecting your rights however costs time and money. Uston, Hyland and Grosjean have been trail blazers in a lot of player rights issues but fact is gamblers are not an organized special interest group, politicians like casinos bringing in money and player rights don't usually make headlines so generally keeping a low profile is the smart play.
BW