As the federal government deals with yet another round of meetings with Canada’s premiers, discussions will rightfully focus on big-picture economic priorities: Productivity, interprovincial trade, and making our federation work better. But there’s one small, nagging issue that’s long overdue for a grown-up conversation — our patchwork of legal drinking ages.

Canada stands nearly alone among G20 nations in having different legal drinking ages depending on the province or territory. Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec set the minimum age at 18. The rest of the country? 19. And while it may seem like a trivial distinction, especially compared to the lofty goal of removing trade barriers, this inconsistency is a subtle but real drag on our economy.

In food policy and agri-food economics, we often speak about “friction” — those inefficiencies that create waste, confusion or cost. Well, having multiple legal drinking ages is friction, plain and simple.

National alcohol producers, distributors and retailers are forced to adjust their labeling, marketing and compliance protocols for different........

© Edmonton Sun