In Canada, the legal drinking age is either 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory.
General rule
Most of Canada sets the minimum age to buy and drink alcohol at 19 years old. This means 19 is a safe assumption if you are unsure of the local rule.
Provinces at 18
Three provinces allow drinking from age 18:
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Quebec
These provinces set both the purchase and consumption age at 18.
Provinces and territories at 19
All other provinces and territories use 19 as the legal drinking age:
- British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
In these places, you must be 19 to buy or consume alcohol legally in public settings.