Trudeau Government To Legalize Medicinal Alcohol For Children

While Ottawa will set a minimum age of 16 to buy, the provinces will have
the option of setting a lower age limit if they wish.

Ottawa - The Liberal government will announce legislation next month that will legalize medicinal alcohol for children in Canada by July 1, 2018.

The Sentinel Dispatch has learned that the legislation will be announced around April 10 and will follow the recommendation of a task force that was chaired by former liberal Justice Minister Anne McLellan.

The federal government will be in charge of making sure the country's alcohol supply is safe and secure and Ottawa will license producers.

But the provinces will have the right to decide how the alcohol is distributed and sold. Provincial governments will also have the right to set price.

While Ottawa will set a minimum age of 16 to buy, the provinces will have the option of setting a lower age limit if they wish.


As for Canadians who want to brew their own beer, they will be limited to four kegs per household. Regulations for those consuming wine or spirits are forthcoming.

Children's rights activists herald the news as a major victory. "Gone are the dark ages when we didn't know anything about the effects of alcohol on children. Research shows that getting a buzz on is healthy for any child, but particularly those who may be sick with a debilitating disease, or even a cold or flu," said Cynthia Jackson, executive director of the Ottawa Children's Hub.

From Our Ottawa Bureau