Hi my name is richard this girl is head over heals for me and she just turned 16 and I am 26 male and I would like to start a relationship with her because she is really nice is it legal in canada for a adult to date a 16 year old I don't want anything sexual till she is 18 I just want to date her for now and see where it goes from there I don't want to get into any trouble with the law and I am trying to find awsers before I take action...

I realize that you want an answer based on laws, however, since this was posted in ADULT SEXUALITY instead of on a legal board or in Relationships or Dating, I am going say that I think you need to question why you feel attracted to a 16 year old girl.

That she may or may not have a crush on you is normal teenage girl behavior. That you are wanting to take a crush and go with it is not normal, mature, adult behavior.

I agree with Cat 1864's answer in the sense that you are considering a relationship that besides Cat's comment about it being "not normal, mature, adult behaviour" it just is not healthy for either of you and because you are in the power position, it is unfair to her. If you are really serious about this, the first thing you should do is to get the parents permission to date their underage daughter.
You probably should give some serious thought as to why a 16 year girl, instead of a woman around your age, is attractive and if you can't figure it out then get some help (therapy)as to why this is not a boundary for you where it probably is for the majority of most males out there.

I guess sexual preditors and pediphiles have to date also.

It will be interesting for you to go meet her parents and get permission to date her.

I am sorry, a 26 year old man wanting to date a child is just wrong.

If you evaluate the difference of your own maturity from when you were 16 to now. You should see the fallacy in pursuing a girl who is just leaving childhood and is approaching the threshold of becoming an adult.

She is just starting to understand who she is, and the next several years experiences of growing and learning with her friends about what life is , is usually the most difficult confusing and wonderful years we all go through. And I feel she should experience it with her friends instead of a mentor/boyfriend shaping her to what he feels she should be. For her own good... and the intentions will be good.

But put in that situation I think you will be depriving her of being a teenager which may come back to haunt both of you later in life. Being tied to one older man may deprive her of the chance of being who she wants to become.

It should be enough to be flattered by a teenagers crush . But to do more is not healthy for her or you as I see it.

Legal or not, the moral issue is paramount and calls for you to let her grow up on her own.

Look her up on Facebook in six or seven years and see how it goes from there.

Don't mess with the 16 year old... yeah some are damn cute, yeah its flattering to get the attention... but the fact is she is still a kid emoptionally and has a LONG way to mature in the next few years... and yeah... a LOT of maturing will take place in the next 5 years for her.

Besides... a 16 year old will share very little in common with any normal 26 year old... you share more with a 36 year old and even a 46 year old than you do a 16 year old. A 16 year old is NOT a peer.

Do yourself both a favor... even IF it might be legal in Canada... which I have no I dea if it is or not. It shouldn't be. Wait until she is at least 18, and I recommend mid 20's because emotional maturation doesn't even start to slow down until then.

The age of consent in Canada is 16, however, it is considered criminal, if:

However, the age of consent is 18 years where the sexual activity "exploits" the young person -- when it involves prostitution, pornography or occurs in a relationship of authority, trust or dependency (e.g., with a teacher, coach or babysitter). Sexual activity can also be considered exploitative based on the nature and circumstances of the relationship, e.g., the young person's age, the age difference between the young person and their partner, how the relationship developed (quickly, secretly, or over the Internet) and how the partner may have controlled or influenced the young person.

Frequently Asked Questions: Age of Consent to Sexual Activity (http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/dept-min/clp/faq.html)

I would say you are asking for trouble dating a 16 year old, with you being 8 years older.

Any reasonable person in my opinion would report you.

Just to add one more comment to the already sound advice you have already received.

At 16 the girl will still be toying with relationships,learning how they work,and playing out the emotional 'days of our lives ' drama that goes with those teenage years,her friends will also have a big impact on her view of you,and you will most likely be met with a 'EWW' when they meet you.

Do yourself a favour,don't even go there,you've already been a teenager,why would you want to go backwards.

Think about it. When you were 18... she was 8. Yeah. I went there. Granted, it doesn't really matter TOO much when you get to 35, and she's 25... but still, she's still a teenager, trying to grow up, figure out her own self, and yes, I will hear the "She's REALLY mature for her own age!" yeah. I heard that before.

I'm 24... and even I won't go anywhere near any girl under 21...

You want to stay out of trouble, talk to her parents face to face. They are the ones that can make trouble, as they probably don't care about the law, or what it says. It's their daughter. They may not take kindly to her sneaking around in secret to date you. That would cause a LOT of trouble for you.