Statutory Declaration Form Alberta: Fill & Download for Free

5 regular, and 6 federal. Each province is a bit different when it comes to being a statutory holiday. In BC and Alberta, I always got a day off or holiday pay on Remembrance Day, but now that I moved to Ontario (big mistake!) there's nothing. Remembrance Day of last year, I had a moment of silence at the factory where I worked. Well. Would've been a moment of silence if it weren't for the silence being punctuated by angry meatheads declaring “WTF this is bullshit. Just keep working"

Hello,As the world looks upon America’s host of anti-immigration scandals and policies with dismay, some immigrants are looking elsewhere for a place to start a new life. That’s put Canada on the world stage as an alternative place to seek out the so-called American Dream. Famously, when Donald Trump was elected in November 2016, the Canadian immigration website crashed. Though Canada has always been a country that welcomes immigrants, America’s recent approach to immigration has led more immigrants to turn to Canada as a viable alternative for starting a new life.1. canada embraces multiculturalism and immigrantsIn the 1970s, under the direction of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Canada officially adopted a policy to promote multiculturalism, and ever since it’s been a key part of the Canadian identity. Canada has one of the highest immigration rates per capita among developed nations. In 2019 alone, Canada will welcome over 310,000 immigrants into the country. 57% of those immigrants will arrive as skilled workers. The rest will be refugees or join family already living in Canada. Altogether, 22.3% of the Canadian population identifies as a visible minority and 21.9% as foreign-born.Canada is also known for its ‘mosaic’ approach to multiculturalism, where people from all cultures live in harmony, while also maintaining their cultural heritage and religious practices. In Canada, there are over 30 ethnic communities with 100,000+ people, and 11 that have a million or more people. This stands in contrast to ‘melting pot’ cultures where immigrants are expected to blend in and assimilate to the norms of their new home. Canada’s urban centres such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are particularly diverse, and home to many ethnic neighbourhoods. In Toronto, which is regularly referred to as ‘the most multicultural city in the world,’ more than half of the population identifies as a visible minority.2. canada is one of the most inclusive countries in the worldBeyond being multicultural, Canada is known for its diversity and inclusivity in other ways. The country has strong support for the LGBTQ community. In 2005, Canada became the 4th nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage and the first outside of Europe. A 2017 poll found that Canadians overwhelmingly support same-sex marriage with 74% saying: “it’s great that two people of the same sex can get married in Canada.” Canada also officially declared June Pride Month in 2015 and hosts the annual Toronto Pride Parade, which is one of the world’s largest LGBTQ celebrations.Women also have a strong voice in Canada. When Justin Trudeau was elected Prime Minister in 2015, he committed to a cabinet with 50/50 representation between genders. Basic women’s rights such as voting, access to birth control and abortion are long-established and protected. Though there’s still room for improvement in getting women into leadership roles in Canada, Canadian women have a high workforce participation rate, with 82% of women between the ages of 25 to 54 opting to work outside of their home.3. canada is the 10th largest economy in the worldCanada punches above its weight when it comes to the world economy. Despite having the 38th largest population in the world, Canada has the 10th largest economy, with an output of 1.6 trillion or $48,100 per capita. Canada overtook Russia in 2015 to claim a top 10 spot. Though Canada is well-known for its wealth of natural resources, Canada’s economy is actually heavily service-oriented, with 78.9% of Canadians working in a service-related job, according to Statistics Canada. Though the goods-producing sector is relatively small in comparison to the service sector, Canada’s manufacturing and oil and petroleum industries have experienced small but steady annual growth over the last several years.4. canada’s education system is world-classCanada spends more on education per capita than any other industrialized nation in the world and has been named the most educated country in the world. Canada’s K-12 public education system is regarded as one of the best in the world. Canada is also home to some of the world’s top universities, with McGill University, the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia ranking among the world’s top 100 institutions. According to Statistics Canada, 54% of Canadians 25-64 have a post-secondary degree, and an additional 10.8% have completed an apprenticeship or a trades certificate. In some provinces, the cost of tuition is fully or partially covered for low-income students.5. canada’s tech industry is growing rapidlyThe tech sector is Canada’s fastest growing industry, which spells good things for Canada’s future, as the need for tech professionals continues to boom. Government support and investment in Canada’s tech industry is strong, as well, with grants and other tools available to help Canadian startups. Canada is rapidly becoming a destination of choice for employers seeking skilled tech talent. Toronto leads the pack, with big names like Google’s Sidewalk labs, Shopify, Salesforce and Facebook setting up shop in the city. While Toronto gets a lot of attention for its plentiful tech talent, it’s not alone. Other Canadian cities are pulling in tech talent, too. Montreal quietly established itself as an epicentre for innovation in AI and game development. Vancouver and Calgary, meanwhile, are known for innovation in clean tech, among other things.6. canadians enjoy access to universal healthcareCanada’s universal healthcare system was adopted in the 1960s. Under the program, every province or territory in Canada has a healthcare plan which provides all residents with reasonable access to medical services, without paying out of pocket for healthcare services such as hospital visits or access to doctors. In 2017, Canada spent $6,323 per person on healthcare, according to the OECD. Despite spending about half of what the US does per capita, Canada’s quality of care has been rated significantly higher. Thanks to the reliable healthcare programs available to everyone in the country, Canada has one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates at just below 82 years. That places Canada’s life expectancy at 18th in the world.7. canada has the best benefits, holidays and paid leave in north americaCanada is a progressive country with many policies in place to protect workers. It’s the only country in North America with mandated vacation leave, with 2 guaranteed weeks of paid vacation for all employees, in addition to 6 to 10 statutory holidays, depending on the province. Canadians are also guaranteed access to a variety of monetary protections including Employment Insurance (EI), old age security, the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), and a federal childcare benefit.The minimum wage in Canada is also one of the highest in the world, though it ranges from $11 to $14 depending on your province of residence. Canada’s maternity and parental leave policies are also progressive. Canadian workers are permitted to take up to 18 months of parental leave, with the mother and father able to share the leave however they choose.8. canada is extremely safeCanada regularly ranks among the top 10 safest nations in the world on various polls and indexes. According to the Global Peace Index of 2018, Canada was ranked the 6th most peaceful nation in the world. The index weighs a variety of factors including homicide rates, militarization, political stability, diplomatic relations, ongoing conflicts, incarceration rates, and terrorism impact, among others. Canada is well known for strong gun control and relatively peaceful approach to foreign diplomacy. In general, Canada’s crime rates are low and have declined significantly since their peak in the 1980s.9. canada’s banks are extremely stableFor years Canada’s banks have been ranked the world’s most stable according to the World Economic Forum. In Canada, you can rest easy knowing that if you deposit your money into a major bank it’s going to be safe and sound. Canada hasn’t had a bank failure since 1983. Also, unlike the US, which continues to use magstripe cards, Canada has moved towards PIN and chip technology, which is a lot more secure. Canadians are also very forward-thinking when it comes to using bank tech, with 68% of Canadians doing their day-to-day banking online or through mobile apps.10. canada’s a beautiful place to liveThere’s no denying that Canada has some epic scenery to enjoy. From BC’s mountains, to PEI’s coastal views, to Montreal’s historic buildings (the city just celebrated its 375th birthday and is looking pretty good for its age!) there’s no shortage of places to visit and things to see in Canada. The country boasts hundreds of nationally protected parks, reserves, historical sites and hiking trails.From world-renowned parks like Banff and Jasper in Alberta, to Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, to Georgian Bay in Ontario, there’s no shortage of natural wonders to enjoy from coast to coast. Speaking of coasts, Canada also has more coastline than any other country in the world, with over 200,000 kilometres of coastline, almost 4 times as much the next closest (Indonesia.) So while Canada may not exactly be known for its warm weather beaches, there’s plenty of beautiful coastal scenery to enjoy when the weather does heat up. If you’re more of a city person, Canadian cities like Calgary and Toronto are regularly listed among the world’s cleanest cities.11. canada has a stable, democratic political systemThough Canadian governments shift between various liberal and conservative parties depending on the political climate, in general, all of Canada’s political parties have relatively centrist stances on hot-button issues such as women’s and LGBT rights, environmental concerns and immigration, which are sometimes highly divisive in other democratic nations. Canadians also have faith in and respect for the political system and government bodies. Though scandals break occasionally, they tend to be fairly mild and there’s little in the way of widespread corruption, fraud or government distrust. Canada’s political campaigns are also short and inexpensive for taxpayers compared to other democratic nations. Even at a national level, political campaigns rarely last more than a few months.These are just a few of the things that make Canada a great place for immigrants to settle and make a build a life.Good luck…!!!

Alcohol laws are laws in relation to the manufacture, use, being under the influence of and sale of alcohol (also known formally as ethanol) or alcoholic beverages that contains ethanol. Common alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, and distilled spirits (e.g., vodka, rum, gin). The United States defines an alcoholic beverage as, "any beverage in liquid form which contains not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume",[1]but this definition varies internationally. These laws can restrict those who can produce alcohol, those who can buy it (often with minimum age restrictions and laws against selling to already intoxicated person), when one can buy it (with hours of serving and/or days of selling set out), labelling and advertising, the types of alcoholic beverage that can be sold (e.g., some stores can only sell beer and wine), where one can consume it (e.g., drinking in public is not legal in many parts of the US), what activities are prohibited while intoxicated (e.g., drunk driving), and where one can buy it. In some cases, laws have even prohibited the use and sale of alcohol entirely, as with Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933.Contents1 Temperance movement2 Alcohol law by country3 Prohibition 3.1 Outright prohibition of alcohol 3.1.1 Canada 3.1.2 India 3.1.3 Nordic countries 3.1.4 United States 3.1.5 Majority-Muslim countries 3.2 Drunk driving laws 3.3 Prohibition of drinking alcohol in public places 3.3.1 Americas 3.3.1.1 Barbados 3.3.1.2 Brazil 3.3.1.3 Chile 3.3.1.4 United States 3.3.2 Asia 3.3.2.1 Pakistan 3.3.2.2 Singapore 3.3.3 Europe 3.3.3.1 Restrictions by country4 Legal drinking age 4.1 Americas 4.1.1 Canada 4.1.2 United States 4.2 Europe5 Taxation and regulation of production 5.1 Denmark 5.2 United Kingdom 5.3 United States6 Restrictions on sale and possession 6.1 Scotland 6.2 Nordic countries 6.2.1 Norway 6.2.2 Sweden 6.3 North America 6.3.1 Canada 6.3.2 United States7 See also8 References9 External linksTemperance movementMain article: Temperance movementThe temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence (teetotalism), with leaders emphasizing alcohol's negative effects on health, personality, and family life. Typically the movement promotes alcohol education, as well as demands new laws against the selling of alcohols, or those regulating the availability of alcohol, or those completely prohibiting it. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Temperance Movement became prominent in many countries, particularly English-speaking and Scandinavian ones, and it led to Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933.Alcohol law by countryGermanyHong KongIndiaUnited KingdomIrelandProhibitionOutright prohibition of alcoholMain articles: Prohibition, Teetotalism, and Temperance movementSome countries forbid alcoholic beverages or have forbidden them in the past. People trying to get around prohibition turn to smuggling of alcohol – known as bootlegging or rum-running – or make moonshine, a distilled beverage in an unlicensed still.CanadaMain article: Prohibition in CanadaCanada imposed prohibition at the beginning of the 20th century, but repealed it in the 1920s.IndiaMain article: Prohibition in IndiaIn India, manufacture, sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Manipur and Nagaland,[2]as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. Prohibition has become controversial in Gujarat, following a July 2009 episode in which widespread poisoning resulted from alcohol that had been sold illegally.[3]All Indian states observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions depending on the popularity of the festival in that region. Dry Days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is banned, although consumption is permitted. Dry days are also observed on voting days. Dry Days are fixed by the respective state government. National holidays such as Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanthi (2 October) are usually dry days throughout India.Nordic countriesTwo Nordic countries (Finland and Norway) had a period of alcohol prohibition in the early 20th century.In Sweden, prohibition was heavily discussed, but never introduced, replaced by strict rationing and later by more lax regulation, which included allowing alcohol to be sold on Saturdays.Following the end of prohibition, government alcohol monopolies were established with detailed restrictions and high taxes. Some of these restrictions have since been lifted. For example, supermarkets in Finland were allowed to sell only fermented beverages with an alcohol content up to 4.7% ABV, but Alko, the government monopoly, is allowed to sell wine and spirits. The alcohol law in Finland was changed in 2018, allowing grocery stores to sell beverages with an alcohol content up to 5.5% ABV.[4][5][6]This is also the case with the Norwegian Vinmonopolet and the Swedish Systembolaget (though in Sweden the limit for allowed ABV in supermarkets is 3.5%.United StatesMain articles: Prohibition in the United States and Alcoholic beverage control stateDetroit police inspecting equipment found in a clandestine brewery during the Prohibition era.In the United States, there was an attempt from 1919 to 1933 to eliminate the drinking of alcoholic beverages by means of a national prohibition of their manufacture and sale. This period became known as the Prohibition era. During this time, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States made the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the United States.Prohibition led to the unintended consequence of causing widespread disrespect for the law, as many people procured alcoholic beverages from illegal sources. In this way, a lucrative business was created for illegal producers and sellers of alcohol, which led to the development of organized crime. As a result, Prohibition became extremely unpopular, which ultimately led to the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933 via the adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.Prior to national Prohibition, beginning in the late 19th century, many states and localities had enacted Prohibition within their jurisdictions. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some localities (known as dry counties) continued to ban the sale of alcohol.Majority-Muslim countriesSome majority-Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sudan, Pakistan, Iran and Libya prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages because they are forbidden by Islam.[7][8][9]Drunk driving lawsMain article: Driving under the influenceMost countries have drunk driving laws which limit how much alcohol a person can consume before driving a car on a road. The permitted blood alcohol content threshold ranges from 0.0% to 0.08%.Punishments for violation include fines, temporary or permanent loss of driver's license, and imprisonment. Some jurisdictions have similar prohibitions for drunk sailing, drunk bicycling, and even drunk rollerblading. In many places in the United States, it is also illegal to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.Prohibition of drinking alcohol in public placesA sign prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in a public place in Victoria, AustraliaAmericasSee also: Legal drinking age § AmericasBarbadosBarbados maintains 16 years of age as when person is legally able to consume alcohol in public. Although being disorderly while intoxicated is illegal and the Royal Police Force can be asked to evict drunken individuals from public establishments.[10]BrazilIt is legal and usually socially acceptable to drink alcohol in public areas.ChileIt is illegal to drink alcohol in any public place or unlicensed facilities. The law may or may not be enforced, depending on the location, time of the day and the behaviour of the offender.Penalties may include the confiscation or destruction of the liquor, fines or arrest.United StatesMain article: United States open container lawsDrinking alcohol in public places, such as streets and parks, is against the law in most of the United States, though there is no specific federal law that forbids the consumption of alcohol in public.[citation needed]Moreover, even when a state (such as Nevada, Louisiana, and Missouri) has no such ban, the vast majority of its cities and counties do have it. Some cities allow it in a specified area such as on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, or during public festivals. Four notable exceptions are New Orleans, Louisiana, and Butte, Montana which allow public consumption of alcoholic beverages anywhere in the city.[citation needed]AsiaPakistanAfter its independence in 1947, Pakistani law was fairly liberal regarding liquor laws. Major cities had a culture of drinking, and alcohol was readily available until the 1970s when prohibition was introduced for Muslim citizens. Since then, Pakistan's majority Muslim population has been unable to legally buy alcohol, and advertising for alcoholic beverages has been outlawed.[citation needed]However it remains widely available in urban Pakistan through bootleggers and also through the diplomatic staff of some minor countries.[11]SingaporeFrom 1 April 2015, public drinking is banned from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.[12]Additional restrictions on public drinking are applied to Geylang and Little India where they had declared as Liquor Control Zones. The additional restrictions for Geylang and Little India are from 7 a.m. on Saturdays to 7 a.m. on Mondays and from 7 p.m. on eves of public holidays to 7 a.m. on the day after the public holiday. Retailers within the Liquor Control Zones are not allowed to sell takeaway liquor from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays (except on the eve of Public Holidays and Public Holidays) and from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends, eve of Public Holidays and Public Holidays. Retailers outside the Liquor Control Zones are not allowed to sell takeaway liquor from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.[citation needed]EuropeRestrictions by countryAccording to data from the World Health Organization, drinking in public is regulated in the European countries for which data was provided as follows:[13]Educational buildings: ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain partial restriction: Belgium, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Sweden, UK voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany no restrictions: Greece, UKGovernment offices: ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia partial restriction: France, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden no restrictions: Estonia, Greece, Luxembourg, UKHealthcare establishments: ban: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, partial restriction: Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden no restrictions: Denmark, Greece, UKLeisure events: ban: partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, no restrictions: Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain, UKParks and streets: ban: Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, UK voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden no restrictions: Greece, Hungary, LuxembourgPublic transport: ban: Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, partial restriction: Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, UK voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, no restrictions: Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, SpainPlaces of worship: ban: Cyprus, Finland, Romania partial restriction: France, Portugal voluntary/self restricted: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Sweden no restrictions: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, UKSporting events: ban: Romania, Slovenia, Spain partial restriction: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherland, UK voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, german, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden no restrictions: Denmark, Estonia, LuxembourgWorkplaces: ban: Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, partial restriction: Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain voluntary/self restricted: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, UK no restrictions: Estonia, Greece, LuxembourgLegend: ban = the consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law, violation may result in punishment. partial restriction = in some states, regions, municipalities or cities the consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law; or the consumption is restricted at certain places but not generally prohibited. voluntary/self-restricted = the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited by law, but (some) establishments may have own regulations prohibiting or regulating the consumption of alcohol voluntarily. no restrictions = the consumption of alcohol is legal.Legal drinking ageMain article: Legal drinking ageMost countries have prescribed a legal drinking age which prohibits the purchase of alcohol by minors. Most countries also prohibit the consumption of alcohol to minors. Some countries have a tiered structure that limits the sale of stronger alcoholic drinks to older adults (typically based on the percentage of ABV) Other restrictions that some countries impose is based on the place in which alcohol is consumed, such as in the home, in a restaurant, or in a bar. The age at which these restrictions come to an end varies significantly from country to country, as does the degree to which it is enforced, which can also vary within a country.AmericasMinimum age to purchase alcohol in North America as of 2015:Minimum age of 21 yearsMinimum age of 19 yearsMinimum age of 18 yearsFor further details see table below.Minimum age to purchase alcohol in Central America and the Caribbean as of 2015:Minimum age of 18 yearsMinimum age of 16 yearsFor further details see table below.CanadaMain article: Alcoholic beverages in CanadaUnder the Constitution of Canada, responsibility for enacting laws and regulations regarding the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Canada is the sole responsibility of the ten provinces. Canada's three territories have also been granted similar autonomy over these matters under the provisions of federal legislation.Most provinces of Canada enacted prohibition of alcohol sales, consumption and distribution between the years of 1910 and 1920. After prohibition was ended, most provinces had a minimum drinking age of 21 years, while in the early 70s the age limit was lowered to either 18 or 19 years of age. Later a few provinces and territories raised their age limit from 18 to 19 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.Alberta: Alcohol legalized in 1924 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21.[citation needed] Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1970.[14]British Columbia: Alcohol legalized in 1921 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1970.[14]Manitoba: Alcohol legalized in 1921 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1970.[14]Newfoundland and Labrador: Alcohol legalized in 1924 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1972.[14]New Brunswick: Alcohol legalized in 1927 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1972.[14]Northwest Territories: Alcohol legalized in 1891 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1970.[14]Nova Scotia: Alcohol legalized in 1929 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1971.[14]Ontario: Alcohol legalized in 1923 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1971. Minimum legal drinking age raised to 19 in 1979.[14]Prince Edward Island: Alcohol legalized in 1948 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1970. Minimum legal drinking age raised to 19 in 1987.[14]Québec: Alcohol legalized in 1929 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 20. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1972.[14]Saskatchewan: Alcohol legalized in 1925 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 18 in 1970. Minimum legal drinking age raised to 19 in 1976.[14]Yukon: Alcohol legalized in 1920 - Minimum legal drinking age set at 21. Minimum legal drinking age lowered to 19 in 1972.[14]United StatesMain article: Alcohol laws of the United States by stateThe legal age for buying and possessing (but not necessarily for drinking) has been 21 years in every state since shortly after the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984, which tied federal highway funds to states' maintaining a minimum drinking age of 21.Despite a rekindled national debate in 2008 on the established drinking age (initiated by several university presidents), a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll found in September 2008 that 76% of New Jerseyans supported leaving the legal drinking age at 21 years.[15]No significant differences emerged when considering gender, political affiliation, or region. However, parents of younger children were more likely to support keeping the age at 21 (83%) than parents of college-age students (67%).[15]Seventeen states (Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wyoming) and the District of Columbia have laws against possession of alcohol by minors, but they do not prohibit its consumption by minors.Fourteen states (Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, and Virginia) specifically permit minors to drink alcohol given to them by their parents or by someone entrusted by their parents.[citation needed]Many states also permit the drinking of alcohol under the age of 21 for religious or health reasons.Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, has maintained a drinking age of 18.United States customs laws stipulate that no person under the age of 21 may bring any type or quantity of alcohol into the country.[16]Exceptions to the minimum age of 21 for drinking alcohol in the United States, as of 1 January 2007EuropeMain article: Legal drinking ageMinimum age to purchase alcohol in Europe as of 2018:Minimum purchase age of 20 yearsMinimum purchase age of 18 yearsMinimum purchase age of 17 yearsMinimum purchase age of 16 yearsTaxation and regulation of productionAlcoholic beverages are subject to excise taxes. Additionally, they fall under different jurisdiction than other consumables in many countries, with highly specific regulations and licensing on alcohol content, methods of production, and retail and restaurant sales. Alcohol tax is an excise tax, and while a demerit tax, is a significant source of revenue for governments. The U.S. government collected 5.8 billion in 2009.[17]In history, the Whiskey Rebellion was caused by the introduction of an alcohol tax to fund the newly formed U.S. federal government.In most countries, the commercial production of alcoholic beverages requires a license from the government, which then levies a tax upon these beverages. In many countries, alcoholic beverages may be produced in the home for personal use without a license or tax.DenmarkHome production of wine and beer is not regulated. Home distillation of spirits is legal but not common because it is subject to the same tax as spirits sold commercially. Danish alcohol taxes are significantly lower than in Sweden and Norway, but higher than those of most other European countries.[citation needed]United KingdomIn the United Kingdom, the HM Revenue and Customs issues distilling licenses, but people may produce beer and wine for personal consumption without a license.[citation needed]United StatesMain article: Alcohol laws of the United States by stateThe production of distilled beverages is regulated and taxed.[18]The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (formerly a single organization called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) enforce federal laws and regulations related to alcohol. All packaging of alcoholic products must contain a health warning from the Surgeon General.In most of the American states, individuals may produce wine and beer for personal consumption (but not for sale) in amounts [usually] of up to 100 gallons per adult per year, but no more than 200 gallons per household per year.[citation needed]The illegal (i.e., unlicensed) production of liquor in the United States is commonly referred to as "moonshining." Illegally produced liquor (popularly called "white lightning") is not aged and contains a high percentage of alcohol.[citation needed]Restrictions on sale and possessionAlcoholic drinks are available only from licensed shops in many countries, and in some countries, strong alcoholic drinks are sold only by a government-operated alcohol monopoly.ScotlandThe Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament, which introduces a statutory minimum price for alcohol, initially 50p per unit, as an element in the programme to counter alcohol problems. The government introduced the Act to discourage excessive drinking. As a price floor, the Act is expected to increase the cost of the lowest-cost alcoholic beverages. The Act was passed with the support of the Scottish National Party, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. The opposition Labour Party refused to support the legislation because the Act failed to claw back an estimated £125m windfall profit from alcohol retailers.[19]In April 2019 it was reported that, despite the legislation, consumption of alcohol in Scotland had increased.[20]Nordic countriesIn each of the Nordic countries, except Denmark, the government has a monopoly on the sale of liquor.The state-run vendor is called Systembolaget in Sweden, Vinmonopolet in Norway, Alko in Finland, Vínbúð in Iceland, and Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins in the Faroe Islands. The first such monopoly was in Falun in the 19th century.The governments of these countries claim that the purpose of these monopolies is to reduce the consumption of alcohol. These monopolies have had success in the past, but since joining the European Union it has been difficult to curb the importation of liquor, legal or illegal, from other EU countries. That has made the monopolies less effective in reducing excessive drinking.There is an ongoing debate over whether to retain these state-run monopolies.NorwayIn Norway, beers with an alcohol content of 4.74% by volume or less can be legally sold in grocery stores. Stronger beers, wines, and spirits can only be bought at government monopoly vendors. All alcoholic beverages can be bought at licensed bars and restaurants, but they must be consumed on the premises.At the local grocery store, alcohol can only be bought before 8 p.m. (6 p.m. on Saturdays, municipalities can set stricter regulations). And the government monopoly vendors close at 6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays, no alcohol can be bought, except in bars.Norway levies some of the heaviest taxes in the world on alcoholic beverages, particularly on spirits. These taxes are levied on top of a 25% VAT on all goods and services. For example, 700 mL of Absolut Vodka currently retails at 300+ NOK.SwedenIn Sweden, beer with a low alcohol content (called folköl, 2.25% to 3.5% alcohol by weight) can be sold in regular stores to anyone aged 18 or over, but beverages with a high alcohol content can only be sold by government-run vendors to people aged 20 or older, or by licensed facilities such as restaurants and bars, where the age limit is 18. Alcoholic drinks bought at these licensed facilities must be consumed on the premises; nor is it allowed to bring and consume your own alcoholic beverages bought elsewhere.North AmericaCanadaIn most Canadian provinces, there is a very tightly held government monopoly on the sale of alcohol. Two examples of this are the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, and the Liquor Distribution Branch of British Columbia. Government control and supervision of the sale of alcohol was a compromise devised in the 1920s between "drys" and "wets" for the purpose of ending Prohibition in Canada. Some provinces have moved away from government monopoly. In Alberta, privately owned liquor stores exist, and in Quebec a limited number of wines and liquors can be purchased at dépanneurs and grocery stores.Canada has some of the highest excise taxes on alcohol in the world. These taxes are a source of income for governments and are also meant to discourage drinking. (See Taxation in Canada.) The province of Quebec has the lowest overall prices of alcohol in Canada.Restrictions on the sale of alcohol vary from province to province. In Alberta, changes introduced in 2008 included a ban on "happy hour," minimum prices, and a limit on the number of drinks a person can buy in a bar or pub at one time after 1 a.m.[21]United StatesMain article: Alcohol laws of the United States by stateSee also: Alcoholic beverage control stateMap of open container laws in the United States by state, as of September 2007In the United States, the sale of alcoholic beverages is controlled by the individual states, by the counties or parishes within each state, and by local jurisdictions. In many states, alcohol can only be sold by staff qualified to serve responsibly through alcohol server training. A county that prohibits the sale of alcohol is known as a dry county. In some states, liquor sales are prohibited on Sunday by a blue law.The places where alcohol may be sold or possessed, like all other alcohol restrictions, vary from state to state. Some states, like Louisiana, Missouri, and Connecticut, have very permissive alcohol laws, whereas other states, like Kansas and Oklahoma, have very strict alcohol laws.Many states require that liquor may be sold only in liquor stores. In Nevada, Missouri, and Louisiana, state law does not specify the locations where alcohol may be sold.In 18 alcoholic beverage control states, the state has a monopoly on the sale of liquor. For example, in most of North Carolina, beer and wine may be purchased in retail stores, but distilled spirits are only available at state ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) stores. In Maryland, distilled spirits are available in liquor stores except in Montgomery County, where they are sold only by the county.This convenience store in Michigan had its retail license suspended for two weeks because it sold alcoholic beverages to minors.Most states follow a three-tier system in which producers cannot sell directly to retailers, but must instead sell to distributors, who in turn sell to retailers. Exceptions often exist for brewpubs (pubs which brew their own beer) and wineries, which are allowed to sell their products directly to consumers.Most states also do not allow open containers of alcohol inside moving vehicles. The federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1999 mandates that, if a state does not prohibit open containers of alcohol inside moving vehicles, then a percentage of its federal highway funds will be transferred instead to alcohol education programs each year. As of December 2011, only one state (Mississippi) allows drivers to consume alcohol while driving (below the 0.08% limit), and only five states (Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia) allow passengers to consume alcohol while the vehicle is in motion.Four U.S. states limit alcohol sales in grocery stores and gas stations to beer at or below 3.2% alcohol: Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Utah. In these states, stronger beverage sales are restricted to liquor stores. In Oklahoma, liquor stores may not refrigerate any beverage containing more than 3.2% alcohol. Missouri also has provisions for 3.2% beer, but its permissive alcohol laws (when compared to other states) make this type of beer a rarity.Pennsylvania is starting to allow grocery stores and gas stations to sell alcohol. Wines and spirits are still sold at locations called "state stores", but wine kiosks are starting to be put in at grocery stores. The kiosks are connected to a database in Harrisburg, and purchasers must present valid ID, signature, and look into a camera for facial identification to purchase wine. Only after all of these measures are passed is the individual allowed to obtain one bottle of wine from the "vending machine". The kiosks are only open during the same hours as the state-run liquor stores and are not open on Sundays.