What is the drinking age in Canada?

Asked by: Dr. Annetta Mayer DDS  |  Last update: August 1, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (25 votes)

A Brief History of MLDA Changes in Canada
increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. Currently, the MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Can an 18 year old American buy alcohol in Canada?

Yes, as long as they provide valid identification proving their age. While the legal drinking age in the US is generally 21, Canada's legal drinking age is 19 (or 18 in some provinces), making it a popular destination for younger Americans looking to enjoy a legal drink.

Is the drinking age in Canada 18?

Alcohol Consumption and Risks

Alcohol consumption is a common practice in Canada, and the legal drinking age varies by province. In most provinces and territories, the legal drinking age is 19 years old, except for Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, where it is 18 years old.

Is the drinking age in Canada 16?

No. In Canada, you cannot legally drink alcohol at the age of 16, even if you are with your parents. The legal drinking age in most provinces and territories is 19, except for Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, where it is 18.

Is the drinking age from 21 to 18 in Ontario?

Ontario's legal drinking age was originally lowered to 18 from 21 in 1971, but was increased to 19 in 1979 after complaints that too many high school students were getting drunk.

Should We Lower The Drinking Age?

22 related questions found

Can you drink under 21 with a parent in Canada?

Canada's Legal Drinking Age

For most of the country, a person can buy and drink alcohol at the age of 18 years old. In provinces like Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba, underage drinking is allowed for 17-year-old teens as long as it is done under the supervision of parents in their residence.

Can you drink at 18 anywhere in Canada?

In Canada, the legal drinking age is 18 in Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta and 19 in the rest of the country.

What's the drinking age in Japan?

What is the Drinking Age in Japan? The legal age for buying and consuming alcoholic beverages in Japan is 20 years old. Japan has some of the world's best sake (obviously), shochu, whiskey, and beer. But to enjoy these beverages, you'll need to be at least 20 years old.

What cities can you drink at 18 in Canada?

18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec; 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. *Minors may be served alcohol beverages if accompanied by a parent at an establishment serving food.

Is 16 and 21 legal in Canada?

Canada's age of consent

The age of consent to sexual activity is 16 years. In some cases, the age of consent is higher (for example, when there is a relationship of trust, authority or dependency). In other words, a person must be at least 16 years old to be able to legally agree to sexual activity.

What is Canada's youngest drinking age?

increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. As of January 2023, the most recent MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Can you drink at 18 in Ontario at home?

Only people over the age of 19 can legally consume alcohol, subject to the exception described below. People under the age of 19 can consume alcohol only if it is supplied to them by their parent or legal guardian and it is consumed in their home in the presence of the parent or legal guardian.

Why is drinking age 19 in Canada?

MLDA legislation restricts the purchase, consumption and possession of alcohol among those below a certain age. In the 1970s, all Canadian provinces and territories lowered the MLDA from 20 or 21 to either 18 or 19 to align more closely with the age of majority, the age at which an individual is legally an adult.

What is Mexico's legal drinking age?

The minimum legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that young adults show photo identification, either a passport or driver's license, as proof of age when buying alcohol.

Is free pouring illegal in Canada?

Practices which encourage the increased consumption of alcohol are not allowed. Specifically, oversize drinks, double shots, drinks containing more than 85ml of spirits, pitchers of beer, drinking contests, "free-pouring" and volume discounts are not allowed.

Is Ontario drinking age 18 to 19?

As a general rule, you must be at least 19 years old to drink alcohol in Ontario. If you allow an underage byob event to be held on your property, you may be held liable for injuries suffered or caused by a guest who is intoxicated.

What is the lowest drinking age in the world?

Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest drinking age at 13 years. Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, a population 20.9 million (2020), has an area that expands to roughly 170,255 miles.

Is drinking at 15 illegal in Canada?

It is illegal to: Possible consequences include: Drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drink or possess alcohol if you are below the legal drinking age (which is 19 in most provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta where it is 18).

What is China's drinking age?

The legal drinking age in China is 18 years old, meaning it is illegal for individuals under 18 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

What country is 13 the legal drinking age?

Burkina Faso — Age to purchase is 13 for males, 16 for females. Burundi — Age to purchase is 18 unless accompanied by parent. Cambodia. Cameroon — Age to purchase is 18 on-premise, 21 off-premise.

What's the drinking age in Korea?

Objective: In South Korea, individuals are legally allowed access to alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 19. This study examined the effects of the legal drinking age laws in South Korea on alcohol consumption.

Do Canadians drink more than Americans?

After all, Canadians drink more alcohol than the global average, according to the World Health Organization. Based on per capita consumption, Canada ranks about 40th in the world, just above the United States.

What is the highest drinking age in the world?

The highest drinking age is 25 in some regions of some countries, including parts of India. The legal drinking age in the United States, Kazakhstan, and Micronesia is 21. Several other nations, including Japan and Iceland, follow closely behind, with an age of 20.

What's the drinking age in Germany?

The legal drinking age in Germany is 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for spirits and other distilled alcoholic beverages. This means that people who are 16 years of age or older are allowed to buy and consume beer and wine in public places such as bars, restaurants, and festivals.