The legal age of majority determines whether a person is old enough to engage in activities such as drinking, gambling, and driving in a specific Canadian province or territory.
In Ontario, the standard age of majority is set at 18 years. However, it’s worth noting that some regulated activities in the province have different age restrictions.
This article covers everything you must know about the legal age of majority in Ontario. Know how old you must be to engage in specific regulated activities within the province legally.
Key Takeaways
- The age of majority in Ontario is 18 years old.
- You must be at least 19 years old to drink, smoke, and gamble at casinos in Ontario.
- The age of majority in Canada is either 18 or 19 years, depending on the specific province or territory.
What is the Legal Age in Ontario?
The legal age of majority in Ontario is 18 years old. Once you reach this milestone, your parents or guardians will no longer have legal authority over your decisions. This means you can now independently undertake legal responsibilities such as signing legal documents, entering contracts, and voting.
When you turn 18, your parents or guardians will also no longer bear financial responsibility for you, allowing you to open accounts at financial institutions and apply for government social assistance programs on your own.
Legal Age in Ontario vs. Canada
The legal age of majority in Canada can be either 18 or 19, depending on which province or territory you’re in.
In these six provinces, the age of majority is 18 years old:
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
On the other hand, the age of majority is 19 in these provinces and territories:
- British Columbia
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Yukon
What is the Legal Working Age in Ontario?
Ontario’s minimum legal working age is 14 years old, but certain employment categories have higher age restrictions.
While 14-year-olds are eligible to work in environments such as offices, stores, and other less physically demanding settings, individuals must be at least 15 years old to engage in factory-related jobs and at least 16 years old to take on roles in strenuous activities like construction work.
Furthermore, one must be at least 18 years old to work in an underground mine or window cleaning position and be at least 19 years old to be a shaft attendant in a construction project.
What is the Legal Drinking Age in Ontario?
The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 years old, which means individuals under this age are prohibited from purchasing alcohol. However, the legal age to sell, serve, deliver, and handle alcohol in the province is 18 years old.Â
What is the Legal Smoking Age in Ontario?
The legal smoking age in Ontario is 19, making it illegal to sell cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products to those who are younger than this age restriction.Â
What is the Legal Gambling Age in Ontario?
The legal gambling age in Ontario is 18 years for bingo and lottery. However, you must be at least 19 years old to gamble at casinos in the province.
What is the Legal Driving Age in Ontario?
The legal driving age in Ontario is 16 years old. However, if the driver holds only a Class G1 license, they must always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with a minimum of 4 years of driving experience whenever they are behind the wheel.
Do You Need an Age of Majority Card in Ontario?
You don’t need an age of majority card in Ontario. Any government-issued ID can serve as your proof of identity and age to access financial, government, and business services in the province.
For those living in Ontario without a driver’s license, an Ontario Photo Card can be provided by ServiceOntario so you can have a handy proof of identification.
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