Province says no to lowering the drinking age to 18 from 19

Liquor shelves can be seen in this CTV News file photo.

Saskatchewan is saying no to lowering the legal drinking age, even though some members of the government's own party want the change.

Donna Harpauer, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, says people will still have to be 19 to drink legally in the province.

Harpauer says the government has heard from many people who argue against lowering the drinking age to 18.

Dale Larsen with the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police says the chiefs back the government's decision.

Larsen says young people are already involved in a disproportionate number of matters involving alcohol and lowering the drinking age would only make it worse.

The question was being considered after delegates at the Saskatchewan Party's annual convention last fall voted in favour of lowering the drinking age.