What is the Legal Drinking Age in Canada [Definite Guide]

Culture is the most valuable thing for every community existing in this world as it bears the traditional pride and signs of their originality. The variation of cultures all around the world is vast and interesting. Something that is considered a blessing in culture can signify a curse from God in another culture.

Drinking indicates having alcohol. As per the cultural variation worldwide, this “drinking” issue is also something like a topic of debate. Sometimes it shows the reflection of having a luxurious life, and sometimes it is also seen as a sign of social degradation.

As drinking is not suitable for people of every age, countries have imposed laws on drinking issues. Like other countries, Canada also has some rules fixed on that. They have set a legal drinking age also. Drinking alcohol under that age is considered a crime.

If you are a citizen of Canada and not aware of the legal drinking age, this writing is for you. Let’s have an insightful look at this issue.

What is the legal drinking age in Canada?

Attaching the age restriction on the drinking issue was one of the best decisions of each province of Canada so far. As there are no federal legal restrictions on it, seeing the harmful condition and bad effects of drinking alcohol, each province decided to make this legal law, and this limit is between 18 and 19. If you live in Manitoba, Albert or Quebec, the age limit is 18 for you, and after that, you are free to buy or drink those all. The rest of the provinces, such as British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Yukon Territory, Ontario, and other provinces, follow the nineteen-age limit for drinking.

Though there is flexibility on that age restriction, someone below 18/19, such as a 17 years old can also buy a drink and have it if they are doing it under parental observation. So, if you are a Canadian and have the desire to have it but you are underage, you can still do this under your parental observation.

This age restriction doesn’t mean you can have it as much as you want after being eligible by age for drinking. Being an alcoholic can wreck your life. So, you must know your drinking limit. If you have more than three standard drinks each day and cross more than 15 in a week, you will be considered an alcoholic individual in Canada.

Some people also showed their urge to make this age restriction from 18/19 to 21 as they become more responsible and mature at this age.

Why does Canada has imposed an age restriction on the drinking issue?

This age restriction on drinking has saved so many lives of people so far by now. There are so many reasons behind imposing this restriction. Let’s have a glimpse at some of them,

Car crashes

Due to driving in drunk conditions, vehicle crashes are one of the most red-marked reasons behind the death and injuries of so many people in Canada. There are so many cases still pending in drunk and accident issues. It is estimated that around 4 Canadians got killed in car crashes every day, and the reason behind this is drunk driving. Before imposing the age restriction, this age limit was higher than that.

Hospitalization records due to drinking

An individual involved in regular drinking will face different health problems, and these health problems can lead him to death. Too much alcohol is never good for our liver. It has the power of damaging our liver. A research study has shown a massive difference in hospital records between the provinces where the legal drinking age is 18 and where the drinking age is 1 year more than 19. People get hospitalized in those areas, most where the age limit is 18 rather than 19.

Alcohol poisoning

When many people start drinking, the illegal consumption of alcohol rises to provide for their needs. Alcohol poisoning, selling expired alcohol and involving underage people into this is the most dangerous thing. Adding age restriction has lowered this rate. Having delusions, hallucinations, tremors, nausea, unusual heartbeat rate etc., are the most damaging results of having poisoned alcohol. You may also end up going in a coma.

Social violence

It is said that 16-20 is the riskiest age when a person can involve in crimes due to immaturity. If individuals drink too much alcohol, they will lose their sanity by applying in rape, murder, car crashing etc.

Familial bonding and personal relationships

If you notice the family relationship of an alcoholic and a normal healthy individual closely, you will get to see a huge difference. An alcoholic individual interacts with their family members in the most abusive way because alcohol destroys their sense of understanding what is right and wrong. The legal drinking age has helped a vast population eradicate their family bonding at an early age due to alcohol addiction.

Laws and possible consequences on dinking issues

There are so many laws and restrictions on this issue still people are not so afraid of crossing their limits because alcohol destroys their sense of predicting the consequences of their deeds. Let’s have a look at some of those laws and punishments for violating them.

• Driving when you are drunk is illegal and regarded as a punishable crime. If you are caught driving in drunk conditions, you may lose your driving license. You may escape only by paying the fine, or you may have to stay in jail for this crime.
• Suppose you are underage according to the Canadian legal age for drinking, and you are caught drinking. In that case, the possible punishments can be paying a fine, going to jail, or they may leave you by informing your parents or legal guardian.
• If you use fake identity cards to enter inside a bar or buy alcohol, you will be in trouble, or the person whose id card you are using will be in a big problem if he has given you the card purposely. The owner of the card may get banned from the club.
• If you are helping underage drinking alcohol, this may end up putting you inside the jail.

Final verdict

Being an alcoholic is never suitable for anyone. Drinking too much alcohol can make a person insane, and people lose their sense of identifying between right and wrong when they are drunk. In this state, nothing is impossible for them to do. So, every individual should keep themselves away from drinking habits even if they are having eligible legal age for drinking.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)