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An officer can only search your vehicle under reasonable and probable grounds that you are hiding something illegal.  
 
So instead of saying no, inquire under which grounds they wish to conduct the search.  
 
Edited by Enfyre, 2016-04-10 23:46:05

.. years ago while I was living up north. I was speeding. The officers asked to search my vehicle and I obliged. I was also driving my moms car because mine was in the shop. I asked my friends rcmp husband what would have happened if I said no, he told me that they would have a warrant and I would be stopped again within 30 minutes. This was at a time where there was a huge crack down on drug trafficking on highway 6 to Thompson. I honestly feel if you have nothing to hide let them do their job. Nothing happened but a warning to slow down

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/world/traffic-stops-what-should-you-do-when-police-pull-you-over-1.3163854  
 
3. Think twice about consenting to a search  
 
Greenfield says people should not consent to a search under any circumstance. He says if you consent, you will have no defence if police find something illegal. If police search without your consent, you have more grounds to defend yourself later.

Sure, its totally in your rights to refuse a search without probably cause. On the other hand, I live within the rules of the law so I have no issue letting them search. I would rather just let them do their job uninterrupted rather than them having to worry about what I am hiding or not hiding. Too many people cause a scene because they want to prove something to the officers.

That's nice that you let them search your vehicle at will. Fortunately I don't live in North Korea I live in Canada where I have rights under the Charter.  
 
Firstly, the law recognizes that there are a few issues that the police should legally be able to investigate in almost all driving situations. These issues include whether or not the driver of the vehicle is licensed to drive, whether or not the motor vehicle is properly insured and registered and whether or not the vehicle is in good working order. Unlike other situations, the police do not need grounds to believe that your licence, insurance or registration documents are not up to date in order to pull you over to investigate these issues. The rationale for this is that driving is not a right, but a privilege, and the power for a stop of this kind comes from the Highway Traffic Act.  
 
Similarly, the police power to stop your car to investigate your licence, insurance, registration, or the safety of your car does not permit a wholesale search of your car or an investigation into the identity of your passengers. Since your passengers are not driving the car, they are not required to identify themselves to the police (but they may chose to if they wish) unless the police have some other reasonable suspicion or belief that they are involved in a criminal offence. It stands to reason the police do not need to look into your trunk to see whether or not you have valid insurance or to determine whether or not you are wearing your seatbelt. Searches that go beyond the purposes of a Highway Traffic Act investigation will breach your right not to be unreasonably searched, protected by s. 8 of the Charter, unless the police can demonstrate that they otherwise had reasonable grounds or authority to search you.  
 
The police may request that you allow them to search your vehicle over the course of a vehicle stop. A word to the wise: this ‘request’ does not need to sound like a request, but can sound a lot more like an order. You do not need to consent to allow the police to do this. If the police are asking or demanding that you let them search your car, make sure you insist on calling a lawyer right away, before you make any decision or give any permission.  
 
Of course, if the police have grounds to believe you have committed a criminal offence, or if they observe you committing a Highway Traffic Act offence, they may have a right to stop your vehicle and conduct further investigations of you, and in some cases, your passengers. If you are stopped by the police in a similar situation, insist on your right to speak to a lawyer without delay and to be told why you are being stopped. This is the best way to ensure that your rights are protected.  
 
Police searching vehicles "just because" is not part of their job. It doesn't matter if I have nothing to hide. If they have probable grounds then have at it but I don't have time to be pulled over at random and searched nor will I consent to such just because I look suspicious, it's late at night or the officer has a "hunch". By saying no you are not being rude, ignorant or stopping them from doing their job.  
 
Your rights as an individual are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Knowing your rights and exercising them accordingly doesn't make you rude or guilty of anything. Know your rights!!  
 
Edited by JonnyGCustoms, 2016-04-11 10:06:01

Again, don't break the law and you wont have to worry about it. Its unfortunate you are bothered by MY choices when it comes to law enforcement.

Just because a police office wants to go on a fishing expedition doesn't mean you should grant him the permission to do so.  
 
If he has probable cause he doesn't need to ask for your permission.  
 
Simple questions like this from officers paints them as enemies and people to fear. I'd rather not be harassed and would rather be on my way, thanks.  
 
Edited by Opportunities Abound, 2016-04-11 10:41:08

Do they have the right to take and look at your cell phone? Assuming you are not driving and texting or talking on it. It is in your console and not visible. Can you say no to them looking at your phone?

Police can generally only access your cell phone if you are under arrest or if there is a warrant to search the phone. You are not required to provide your password.  
 
https://pencanada.ca/news/can-the-police-search-my-phone/  
 
I'd prefer to not have police going through my things, even if I have nothing criminal to hide.

I've been stopped a couple times, between actual traffic offences and check stops and have never been asked if an officer could search my car... I did have an officer help me search when I couldn't find my insurance (I didn't have an interior light and he had a flashlight). I don't think officers around here randomly ask to search vehicles to ruin your day... I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I think we're pretty safe from being asked to search without reason. As for the phone... I always thought that I wouldn't let an officer check my phone without a warrant (when the new texting laws came in) but when I was pulled over and the officer asked if I was texting and driving I almost threw my phone at him to prove that I wasn't (he didn't ask to see my phone, just asked if I was texting and driving), so I'm sure if an officer did ask me to search my car id happily let him just to prove that I have nothing to hide. I don't need the hassle and either do they, they can search, find nothing, and then move on with the day.

RGJ8 said "Again, don't break the law and you wont have to worry about it. Its unfortunate you are bothered by MY choices when it comes to law enforcement. "

Hmm wasn't questioning nor bothered by your choices just simply telling you and others that you have rights. If you want to let the police search your vehicle for no reason then let them. Is it okay for them to knock on your door and search your house? I mean if you have nothing to hide and all.  
 
And you don't need to break the law to be subjected to an illegal search by police. I'm also not saying the police make a habit of doing such searches but if or when it happens and you find yourself in such a situation it's nice to know you do have a right to say no and call a lawyer if it comes to that.

Years ago my girlfriend and I were letting my dogs run on the area where the Coral Center is now. I was driving my father's van and we were parked in plain site.  
 
Without warning, three police cars pulled up and made us stand outside of the van while they searched it- we were already outside walking with my dogs. They had no warrant and just told me they were going to search. They found nothing, as I knew they would and they did not even tell us what they were looking for. They even "accidentally" dumped my girlfriend's purse out.  
 
Totally illegal search but complaining or protesting would have been as big a waste of time as the "search" the six police officers did that day.  
 
If I was asked if they could search these days I would say "No": if they want to waste their time getting a warrant and then waste even more time searching, let them.  
 
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-04-11 13:19:08

SparkyJones said "Don't be a part of the problem. Be part of the solution. Be friendly and polite and just say yes. It makes life so much easier.     I was in a rental vehicle. Pulled over by the RCMP in headingly. I agreed to a search. Turns out drug runners use rentals too(probable cause). I had nothing to hide. They even brought a K-9 in to have a sniff as well. Sure it was a pain in the arse but in the end it was easier than it probably could have been.     They can actually search your passengers if they 'resemble' a person of interest. don't be a hinderance and all will proceed smoothly.     I personally would never say no. Because it's my RIGHT to be appreciative and polite for the job they do. "

Sparky you can be polite and friendly and still refuse an illegal search. The officers feelings won't be hurt, I promise and he/she might even be impressed you know you have that right. Saying no by no means is rude or unappreciative.  
 
There is nothing wrong with letting them look, if you chose to give them consent but there is also nothing wrong declining their offer to rummage through your vehicle.  
 
It certainly is a little unnerving to think there are people that are okay with police randomly stopping vehicles and searching them and their vehicle for no reason what so ever. You also shouldn't have to feel like a criminal or that you have something to hide by declining the officers polite invitation to search.  
 
Edited by JonnyGCustoms, 2016-04-11 13:23:31

RGJ8 said "Again, don't break the law and you wont have to worry about it. Its unfortunate you are bothered by MY choices when it comes to law enforcement. "

A little narrow minded, or maybe just needs a coffee.

SparkyJones said "Don't be a part of the problem. Be part of the solution. Be friendly and polite and just say yes. It makes life so much easier.     I was in a rental vehicle. Pulled over by the RCMP in headingly. I agreed to a search. Turns out drug runners use rentals too(probable cause). I had nothing to hide. They even brought a K-9 in to have a sniff as well. Sure it was a pain in the arse but in the end it was easier than it probably could have been.     They can actually search your passengers if they 'resemble' a person of interest. don't be a hinderance and all will proceed smoothly.     I personally would never say no. Because it's my RIGHT to be appreciative and polite for the job they do. "

Letting them search my car isn't a solution to anything if I have not committed a crime. It just wastes my time and theirs.

If being part of "the solution" means giving the police the right to search whoever they want, whenever they want, then I want no part of it. That would be no better than a police state..... Isn't that what "Herr Harper" was trying to bring about?  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-04-11 13:43:31

I've heard story's of people buying used vehicles and upon cleaning them finding "Hidden" stash compartments containing marijuana or left over traces of marijuana.  
 
Imagine trying to explain that to the police if you allowed them to search your vehicle and having no clue such a compartment existed in your vehicle.  
 
I suppose if your vehicle is brand new then you've probably got nothing to worry about... but things aren't always as simple as "I'm innocent so I have nothing to hide".  
 

SparkyJones said "On the folks that clean the rental vehicles!     Edited by SparkyJones, 2016-04-11 14:21:58"

For what? Missing a hidden drug stash?  
 
Again.....agreeing to a search when you're not 100% sure you know the ENTIRE contents of your vehicle...whether it's yours or not is SILLY.

first off if you have not been in trouble with the law and your vehicle does not smell off illegal narcotics it is your right to tell the officer you do not consent to a search. If he says he will get a warrant he is bluffing he would have to get one from a provincial judge and no judge would authorize one given the circumstances. If the cop breaks something while roaming through your shit it's not his responsibility to replace it. Always lock your door if the officer asks for you to get out of your car. Police officers are just doing your job but you need to excercise you rights as a canadian which is one of the reasons why we have the charter of rights and freedoms.

Read before you post... Simple HTA information:  
 
Peace officer's authority — passenger information  
76.1(5) For the purpose of enforcing any provision of this Act or the regulations, a peace officer may require a vehicle's passenger to give his or her name, date of birth and address to the officer.  
 
No right to counsel  
76.1(6) A peace officer is not required to inform a driver or passenger of his or her right to counsel, or to give the driver or passenger the opportunity to consult counsel, before doing anything subsection (4) or (5) authorizes.  
 
Peace officer's authority unaffected  
76.1(7) Nothing in this section limits or negates a peace officer's authority to request information from a driver or passenger or to make any observations of a driver or passenger that are necessary for the purposes of road safety enforcement.