Provincial definitions of a minor

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

In Canada, the definition of a minor child varies according to province as indicated in the table below.

Province	Definition of minor child	Definition of minor for child protection purposes
British Columbia	Person under 19 years	Same
Alberta	Person under 18 years	Same
Saskatchewan	Unmarried person under 16 years	Same
Manitoba	Person under 18 years	Same
Ontario	Person under 18 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16
Quebec	Person under 18 years	Same
Nova Scotia	Person under 19 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16
New Brunswick	Person under 19 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16
Newfoundland	Person under 16 years (youth defined as a person who is 16 years or older, but under the age of 18)	Same
Prince Edward Island	Person under 18 years	Same
Northwest Territories	Person under 19 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16
Yukon	Person under 19 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16
Nunavut	Person under 19 years	“child” means a person under the age of 16

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