Although alcohol is a part of many countries’ cultures, none would expect the youngsters to lose their valuable life with this aqua vitae. However, with a view to reduce consumption and discourage it, there are campaigns and legislation—no exception for Canada.
There is a legal drinking age in Canada set by the authority. This means if you drink before the age, you might face penalties or punishments for the act. So what’s the age, and why has it been set? Let’s know in the following section.
MLDA (Minor Legal Drinking Age) and Its History
The drinking law in Canada is not a new issue. A way to say, the story is at its eventual phase now after successive changes.
In the 1970s, in each province in Canada, the drinking age limit was decreased (from 20 or 21 to 18 or 19).
Ontario and Saskatchewan’s drinking age was an issue as the administration came across cases with underage students regarding alcohol. The authority of Prince Edward Island also felt the seriousness and expanded a year to 19.
The Current Minimum Drinking Age in Canada
- The legal age for purchasing alcohol is: 19 years in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, PEI, Yukon, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
- The legal drinking age in Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba is 18 Years.
- The minimum legal drinking age in Regina SK is 19 Years.
There’s been no change in the legal age in Canada for drinking since 1987. Right now, different provinces have different laws about drinking. But, that valuation is limited to 2 different numerals, 18 or 19.
In most provinces, including British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, it’s 19. As the exception to the big portion, the age limit in Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec is 18.
Concerns about Youth Drinking in Canada
According to the study, the correlation between car accidents and less drinking is anti-proportional. That suggests that increasing the age to 19 against 18 would minimize death. Besides that, the alcohol limit restriction would also contribute to reduce the accident due to DUI to a certain level.
Interestingly, a year gap makes the drinkers’ number significantly less. Moreover, the yearly reduced death was 32 once switching the age to 21.
Apart from car accidents, there are other instances the victims also face, such as alcohol abuse, medical issues like alcohol poisoning, and many more. The most notable matter is the addiction to drinking, a maleficent element that destroys a person’s life along with their family.
Morbidity and Mortality
It is visible that the consumption of alcohol has a substantial influence on road accidents. A record from the timeline between 1980 and 2009 is another proof. In these 3 decades, the number of male deaths because of motor vehicles rose by 13 to 15 percent. No wonder the regulator behind that is drinking.
Drinking Ages in Other Countries Statistics
Since it’s one of the mutual complications around the world, different countries’ law enforcement authorities follow their decrees. Alcohol’s stands on health were never justified as positive at the mass level. There are restrictions naturally.
In some countries, it’s illegal for specific communities, i.e., in Bangladesh, Kuwait, Morocco, alcohol is legal for non-Muslims only. Countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen have restricted the consumption of alcohol.
There are exceptions in some countries for the tourists while there is an age limit also. If we look at the age limits worldwide, the range would be between 16 to 21. The region-wise contrast also exists.
How to Prevent Alcohol Consumption Among Youth in Canada?
That’s not only Canada but also an international issue. The Canadian government is overly thoughtful about this issue. They are considering raising the price of alcohol and related taxes. To some people, it’s not workable as alcohol in the neighbouring country is cheap.
Nothing would be more effective than the parent’s earnest counselling. Under the legal guardian’s custody, a minor can drink- that’s the only legal for them, yet discouraged.
If they abstain from it from the very beginning of their age, we can hope that the consumption would decrease, to some extent, elimination. Moreover, it’ll be more effective to remedy it earlier than to prevent an activity after that is already in practice.
Other Recommendations to Reduce Consumption of Alcohol
- Reduce and Limit the Number of Outlets and Operation Time
- Restrict Advertisements, Social Promotion, and Sponsorships
- Alcohol Tracking & Reporting System
- Increasing the Drinking Age
FAQ: Legal drinking age in Canada
Last Words: Legal Drinking Age in Canada
It’s often found that a big issue can appear from a tiny laxity. The same goes for the minor people drinking. To some people, it’s a culture. To some, it’s a luxury. But, a person coming near alcohol for the first time has hardly an idea about the long-term possibilities.
The legal drinking age in Canada has 2 motives. One is to expound on the age of the majority, and another is to reduce the number of minor drinkers. But it’s a combined alliance.
First of all, the law enforcement authority should monitor society properly while the elders ought to counsel the juniors about law and a sense of responsibility. Finally, lawmakers must scrutinize if the minimum drinking age in Canada needs any reformation.
