What happens when a child reaches the age of 18?

At age 18, a person is no longer considered a child. He or she is now an adult with all of the rights and responsibilities that go with it. An 18-year-old adult may now, among many other things:

• vote;
• marry;
• work;
• sue others and be sued in his or her own name.

In Alberta and Quebec, 18 is the legal drinking age. In the other provinces, the legal drinking age is 19.

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February 2004 More Youth & the Law FAQs:

• Age-Related
• Youth Criminal Justice Act

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