The legal drinking age in Saskatchewan will not be changing any time soon.
The provincial government announced Monday the drinking age will remain at age 19.
Lowering the legal drinking age to 18 was considered by the government after the idea was endorsed at a Sask. Party convention in November. Such a change would have put the Saskatchewan legal drinking age in line with Alberta and Manitoba.
However, Sask. Liquor and Gaming minister Donna Harpauer said the drinking age will stay as is at age 19, in response to feedback from around the province.
"We have heard from stakeholder groups and from people across the province that government should not change the drinking age in Saskatchewan," said Harpauer in a statement. "While there were also some people that supported reducing the age to 18 years, it became clear that the majority urged government to maintain the status quo."
Sask. Association of Police Chiefs chair Dale Larsen welcomed the decision, saying young people are already involved in a disproportionate amount of accidents involving alcohol.
Larsen said "allowing young people to legally consume alcohol earlier would only make it worse."
