lockpick legality in Canada

[gostone]

I was wondering what the legal situation was with respect to lockpicking tools in Canada.

thanks
Shane

[UWSDWF]

for you the intent of doing something illegal must be proved

[Romstar]

In Ontario, there is no provincial legislation. That means it falls under the regular statutes of the Canada Criminal Code.

Basically, you can have them, use them, buy them and sell them without any problems unless you are engaged in an illegal act.

So basically, if you are in the park, picking locks you obviously brought with you they can't do anything except see if they can prey on your perceived ignornace.

If on the other hand, you are found behind the local Walmart with lockpicks at 3 am, you have a problem.

Its all about circumstance.

Romstar

[linty]

from what i understand, possession of burglary tools is illegal, but burglary tools are anything used to burgle (crowbar, screwdriver, hammer, etc.).

so lock picks are legal until you do something stupid.

[Romstar]

from what i understand, possession of burglary tools is illegal, but burglary tools are anything used to burgle (crowbar, screwdriver, hammer, etc.).

so lock picks are legal until you do something stupid.

Yep, you prety much hit the nail on the head.

Romstar

[Romstar]

I forgot to add the caveat....

If you live in Alberta or Sasketchewan, they make them illegal simply because they are lockpicks, and by law you are supposed to have a license. Even then, you should be perfectly safe in your home, and if for some reason you do have them on your person in these provinces the nice officer probably won't do anything unless you are doing something illegal.

Explain about your hobby, that you are coming from a meeting, or a friends home and chances are you will receive a warning about the law in Sask. or Alberta and be sent on your way.

In British Columbia so far as I can tell, you only need a license if you are doing business as a locksmith. So the tools themselves are perfectly legal unless again, you are doing something else that is illegal.

All other provinces are free and clear of any such legislation or licensing.

So, since you are in Ontario you have nothing to worry about unless you are outside the local Walmart at 3am wearing a ninja outfit and picking a lock while your buddy waits in a nice warm car........
Of course, having a screw driver in that same circumstance is just as likely to gt you in trouble so the best rule is;

Don't do anything illegal.

Take care,
Romstar

[FiapFiak]

Hehe, Romstar,
what if you're not wearing a ninja outfit, but instead a ballet outfit? Will that help? hehehe

But along the same lines, what if you have it in your luggage at an airport? I just thought of that, which nobody asks =p

[Romstar]

Hehe, Romstar,
what if you're not wearing a ninja outfit, but instead a ballet outfit? Will that help? hehehe

But along the same lines, what if you have it in your luggage at an airport? I just thought of that, which nobody asks =p

The ballerina outfit may make for some comical moments, but I would suspect it would still be considered a disquise. Police get funny at 3 am in the dark. Kids have been shot playing laser tag. Its not a risk I would be willing to take. Today cops are just as scared as anyone else, and maybe even more so, yet they still go out to do their jobs night after night. The majority of them are brave men and women who are horribly unappreciated and underpaid. That being said (sorry for the soap box), we move on to your next question.

I have never encountered difficulty with my tools in checked luggage, and only once when I forgot to check a set that I carry in my jacket pocket did I have to display them for the nice security people.

That incident occured on a domestic flight, just a few months ago.

I would hesitate to carry any tools on my person for an international flight, and I would suggest that anyone else consider the same no matter if the flight is domestic or international. The mood is just too tense today.

Overall, I would say the same advice applies to carrying your tools on a flight. Check them in your baggage, be honest about what they are if you are asked, and be prepared to show them to security if asked.

Romstar