🏠 What Age Can My Child Stay Home Alone in Canada?

Many Canadian parents wonder:

At what age can my child stay home alone?
The answer depends on where you live—and how ready your child is.

This guide breaks it down clearly so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

What You’ll Find in This Guide:

• Legal and recommended ages by province and territory
• Safety tips that go beyond age
• How to help your child feel confident—and how you’ll know they’re ready

🇨🇦 Home Alone Guidelines by Province

There’s no federal law in Canada that says what age a child can stay home alone.
Each province or territory sets its own rules or recommendations.

✅ Provinces with Legal Minimum Ages

Province	Minimum Age	Notes
Manitoba	12	Cannot be left unattended without reasonable supervision
New Brunswick	12	Children under 12 cannot be left alone
Ontario	16 (but 10–12 is common)	Under 16 must have “reasonable care”

📝 Provinces with Guidelines (No Legal Minimum)

Province/Territory	Recommended Age	Notes
British Columbia	10	Courts say under 10 is too young
Alberta	12	Often used as a benchmark
Saskatchewan	12	No official age, but 12 is common
Quebec	None	10 for short time, 12 for longer (Canada Safety Council)
Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador	None	Parents must ensure proper supervision
Yukon, NWT, Nunavut	None	12 is often the rule of thumb

What Else Matters?

Even if your child is the “right” age, you’re still responsible for making sure they’re safe. Ask yourself:

• Can they stay calm in a tricky situation?
• Do they know what to do if something unexpected happens?
• Will they follow your rules when no one’s watching?
• How long will they be home—and what time of day is it?

Not Sure If They’re Ready?

That’s why we created the Home Alone Confidence Course.

It’s built just for 10–12 year olds.
Kid-friendly. Calm. Clear. And designed to help your child build real confidence—not just follow a checklist.

Your child will learn:

• What to do when a smoke alarm goes off
• What to say if someone knocks at the door
• How to handle feeling nervous or unsure
• How to make safe, smart choices in the moment

This course doesn’t just teach rules.
It gives your child a framework to think clearly under pressure.

Parents Get Support, Too

You’ll receive short, practical lessons by email—so you know what your child is learning and what conversations to have.

Because these conversations?
They don’t usually happen in the middle of dinner or on the drive to soccer practice.

This gives you the structure (and language) to cover what counts.

Final Takeaway

There’s no perfect age.
But knowing the rules—and your child’s readiness—makes it easier to decide.

If your child is getting close to staying home alone, don’t just hope for the best.
Prepare them. Coach them. Give them a safety net.

Want help covering what really matters?
The Home Alone Confidence Course was made for parents like you.

You’re already thoughtful. This course doesn’t replace that.
It just means you don’t have to think of everything alone.

Can a 10-year-old stay home alone?

And answers to other pressing questions you might have.

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Can a 10-year-old stay home alone?
Sometimes! In provinces like BC or Quebec, a mature 10-year-old might be okay for short times.

What’s the legal age in Ontario?
There’s no official age, but under 16 must be supervised. Ages 10–12 are commonly used as a safe range.

Is there a national law?
Nope. Each province and territory sets their own rules or guidance.

What if something goes wrong?
If a child is harmed or in danger, child protection services may get involved—even if you followed the “rules.” That’s why preparation is key.