What to do in Canada at 18...

On April 12th, I turn 18. In the long line of important ages in the mind of individuals: 13, 16, 18, 19, 21. 18 is the most important. 13: You are now a teen. 16: You can get your driver's license (first part; ex: G1 in Ontario). You can legally run away from home and drop out of school in many provinces. 19: You can drink alcohol legally and buy tobacco in any province. 21: Mostly symbolic. Used to be age of majority. Used to be legal drinking age. Used to be a lot of things. Now it's just another year.

But now that I'm 18. There are many things I can do. So here are things to do in Canada at 18, that you can't do before.

1. I can vote now. I can elect anybody I see fit on all levels of government from city Councillor to Member of Parliament (In Canada one doesn't elect the Prime Minister directly, unless of course you live in his riding).

2. Not only can I vote, but I can stand in elections as well. I'd have trouble getting elected, being an 18 year old who's not even done high school, but I can do it anyway. Education is not important in politics in this Country. Ontario's former Minister of Education was a high school drop out (in Grade 11).

3. I can be tried as an adult. I'm no longer covered by the Young Offenders Act. But then again, I don't think I'll be in a situation where I will be tried. At least I hope not.

4. I can become a Juror. In fact I may be forced by law to become a juror.

5. I can join the army. At 17 you can join the Reserves and Cadets (the only part of the military that still uses Royal Canadian...). But at 18, I can be sent to war to kill people, if I'm in the army. Or if conscription arises I can be drafted.

6. I can buy cigarettes. I can buy tobacco products in three of ten provinces in this country: Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. Since tobacco is sold in corner stores all over the country it is obviously possible to find someone who won't check ID.

7. I can be sold alcohol. I can buy alcohol in three of ten provinces in this country: Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba without getting the seller in potential trouble. Depending on which provinces, it is possible to break the 19+ laws quite easily. Government stores are more strict though.

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