Rules and laws in Canada (2026)
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Every topic we cover for Canada. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car speed limits
Canada has no national speed limit for cars. Limits are set by each province and territory, which also let municipalities set their own limits on local roads.
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Drink-driving limits
The Criminal Code makes it an offence to drive with 80 mg or more of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.08%) and allows mandatory roadside alcohol screening. Penalties include fines and up to 10 years in prison. Provinces and territories set their own lower limits and licence rules.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
Canada has no federal rule on how an e-bike may be used on the road. The definition of "power-assisted bicycle" was repealed from the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (SOR/2020-22), and each province and territory sets its own rules.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
The minimum age for a car driving licence is set by each province and territory, so there is no national rule. Among the jurisdictions checked, learner licences start at 14 in Alberta, 15 in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and 16 elsewhere.
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Seat belts and child seats
Seat belt and child restraint rules are set by each province and territory, so there are no national rules in this table.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
Using a mobile phone while driving is regulated by each province and territory, not by a single federal rule. The rules are set out in the file of each province or territory.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
The Air Passenger Protection Regulations apply to flights to, from and within Canada, with compensation of CAD 400, 700 or 1,000 (large carriers) for arrival delays of 3, 6 or 9 hours when the disruption is within the carrier's control. The Canadian Transportation Agency handles complaints.
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
After an absence of 48 hours or more, Canada allows 200 cigarettes (plus 50 cigars, 200 g of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks) and one of 1.5 litres of wine, 1.14 litres of liquor or 8.5 litres of beer. Alcohol is subject to the minimum age of the province or territory of entry.
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Identity documents
Foreign nationals entering as temporary residents must hold a valid passport or listed travel document and produce the documents an officer reasonably requires. Visa-exempt British citizens arriving by air also need an eTA, unless exempt.
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Minors travelling: documents
Canadian children need a Canadian passport to travel outside Canada. A consent letter is not legally required but is recommended for a child travelling alone or with one parent, and may be requested by authorities or airlines; there is no official form.
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Travelling with personal medicines
Medication containing a controlled substance may be brought into Canada, up to a 90-day supply, in a labelled container from a health care provider, and must be declared on arrival. Personal quantities of other medicines are limited to a 90-day supply or a single course of treatment.
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Living
Dual nationality
Canadian naturalisation does not require giving up another citizenship. Acquiring another citizenship does not cause loss of Canadian citizenship, which can end only as the Citizenship Act provides.
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Naturalisation by residence
Naturalisation needs 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada in the five years before applying. Applicants aged 18 to 54 need adequate English or French and must pass a knowledge test. Giving up the previous nationality is not required by Canada.
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Paid holiday
For employers under federal jurisdiction, the Canada Labour Code gives two weeks of paid vacation after one year, three after five years and four after 10 years. It lists 10 general holidays with pay. Provincial and territorial employment standards law, which covers most other workplaces, is not covered here.
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State pension age
The Old Age Security pension is payable from age 65, and age 65 is also the standard age of the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension. The Canada Pension Plan retirement pension can be claimed from age 60 with an adjusted amount.
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Statutory minimum wage
Canada has no single national minimum wage: each province and territory sets its own. A federal minimum wage of $18.15 per hour applies to employees of federally regulated employers, and the higher provincial or territorial rate applies where it is higher.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Cannabis is legal for adults in Canada under the federal Cannabis Act, which sets the national framework, including a public possession limit of 30 g of dried cannabis (or equivalent) and a limit of four plants per dwelling-house. The provinces and territories set the minimum age, where cannabis may be used, whether home growing is allowed, and the retail model. Taking cannabis into or out of Canada is prohibited without a Health Canada authorisation.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
No national drinking age was confirmed from an official source. Provinces and territories set their own rules on age, sales and drinking.
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Drones
In Canada, Transport Canada sets the drone rules in Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Drones of 250 g or more must be registered and pilots need a certificate from age 14 (basic) or 16 (advanced); the height limit is 122 m.
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Fireworks
Federally, consumer fireworks (type F.1) may be bought and used by people aged 18 or over, and people under 18 may use them under the supervision of someone aged 18 or over. The federal regulations set no sale season or time of day for use. Provinces and municipalities set those and where fireworks may be let off.
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Knives and pepper spray
Canada sets weapons law federally in the Criminal Code. Automatic and gravity or centrifugal knives, push-daggers and some disguised blades are prohibited weapons. Pepper spray designed for use on people is a prohibited weapon, while spray labelled for animals only is not treated as one.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
The federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act bars supplying tobacco or vaping products to anyone under 18 in a public place or a place the public can access. Provinces and territories set their own, often higher, minimum ages and smoke-free rules, which are in their own files.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.