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Although Health Canada provides guidelines to prevent the spread of infection, the federal government does not set a legal age requirement for body piercing.
Professional body piercers and health authorities say the minimum age differs according to the regulations of each province and municipality, but where no requirements exist, it's left up to the individual operator's judgment.
In British Columbia, for example, provincial recommendations on ear and body piercing call for parental consent for minors, under the age of 19. Similar to Alberta's guidelines, the B.C. Ministry of Health notes "operators should satisfy themselves that customers are undertaking the procedure of their own free will and not as a result of a bet or a dare, that they are not under the influence of alcohol or other judgment-altering drugs, and that they are aware that piercing carries health risks."
Toronto Public Health officials say Toronto has no legal age limit for piercings, but most shop operators in the city won't perform piercings on teens under the age of 16 without parental consent. According to the Ontario Health Ministry's guidelines for best practices, body piercers must keep records of their client's names, contact details and description of the procedure for at least five years. Clients must also be given verbal and written information about how to care for an ear or body piercing. This document of guidelines do not set out age requirements.
Most reputable body-piercing shops anywhere in Canada will educate customers about the risks and how to take care of a piercing, ask for signed informed consent and obtain identification, said John Zukowski, owner of Prince George, B.C.'s Pacific Body Jewellery, who has been in the industry for nearly 17 years.His shop refuses to perform "exotic piercings," or genital and nipple piercings, on anyone under the age of 19, and allows only ear piercings for teens aged 16 and up without parental consent. Younger children and teenagers wanting other body piercings must have a parent's okay.
But even with parental consent, Mr. Zukowski is firmly against performing ear piercings on babies.
Nine times out of 10, he says, parents accompany their teenage children to his studio and will, however reluctantly, give the go-ahead. "Ultimately, we want to try to get the kids not to be poking holes in themselves."
