This can get rather complicated, but the Criminal Code of Canada requires you to have a permit to have lockpicks in BC.
British Columbia is one of the provinces that licenses locksmiths and issues permits.
I know that Alberta and Saskachewan also require locksmiths to be licensed and hold a Pick License.
http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/pisa/licensin ... ployee.htm
Other provinces like Ontario and Quebec have not yet licensed locksmiths so there is no permit that can be obtained ....... in practise meaning that the section of the Criminal Code of Canada will
PROBABLY not be enforced.
If the local RCMP or city police find you with lockpicks and no
permit, regardless of why you have them (ie a honest hobbiest), you can be criminally charged.
No store or locksmith supply place will sell to you without a permit.
If you choose to order by mail order, there are many reliable USA suppliers that will sell to you .
Consider what you will do however if customs should open your package and you lack a permit.
Having said all that, I and many other Canadians have ordered picks from the USA and had no problems.
Keep your tools at home, don't brag or display them to anyone, and there is no real reason the fear the law.
*looking for paspport*