The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It could be last call for the current legal drinking age in Saskatchewan, as Premier Lorne Calvert is considering lowering the age from 19 to 18. Calvert recently commented that the move might keep young people in the province, saying the current law leads some students to seek post-secondary education in provinces with lower drinking ages. The move would put Saskatchewan in line with the drinking ages in its neighbouring provinces of Manitoba and Alberta. Proponents call the current law outdated and unnecessary, while opponents fear a lower drinking age could lead to more alcoholism and drinking and driving. Among the groups to come out against the potential change is the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. "We have a serious problem in our communities in regard to alcohol," Chief Alphonse Bird told the media. "Lowering the drinking age will not benefit First Nations youth, rather the most obvious possible effects could be an increase in alcoholism, drug use and in the long run, suicide. All three issues are widespread in our communities, this is not an effective solution." Also opposed is the Saskatoon chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). "If you lower it there will be more access, you will have more binge drinking and a higher risk of drinking and driving," spokesperson Roberta Doell told CTV. But others, including Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco, have different opinions. "You know, you're talking to someone who has three teenage kids," Fiacco told CBC. "One that just turned 19 and a 15- and 16-year-old. You know, it's interesting that the legal age for voting, participating in an election is 18 years of age and the legal age for drinking is 19 years of age." Fiacco said the government must spend a great deal of time discussing the possible change before giving any approval. Regina Police Chief Cal Johnston didn't come out against the idea, either. "I haven't seen anything that says (a lower drinking age) makes a significant difference in terms of alcohol use," Johnston told CTV. "At that point, I think young people are beginning to make their own choices."
