This I read on the BC eagles forum:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">This story from SG2 who just returned from
Banff National Park. A newly married couple
(from Asia) spending their honeymoon in Banff.
They plan a day long bicycle ride and picnic, and
are advised to take a couple of cans of bear repellent
with them. For those who aren't familiar: bear repellent
is a toxic chemical extracted from chili peppers
in a pressurized can. If you encounter a bear which either
becomes curious about you, or does a "bluff" charge,
you spray the bears face from about 15 feet away.
This imobilizes the bear long enough to get you out of
a potential serious situation. (hopefully)
The newlyweds were seen spraying one another with
the bear repellent, thinking it was similar to mosquito
protection.
Both were hospitalized, treated and released. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I've known how bear spray should be used and I've known that Canada Customs has some concerns about bear spray, but I never thought of this missunderstanding.