The Saskatchewan Party government has ruled out lowering the drinking age, four months after party members put the issue in the public eye.

The minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Donna Harpauer, said a drinking age of 19 is consistent with most other Canadian provinces, so there will be no change.

The drinking age is 18 in the two neighbouring provinces, Alberta and Manitoba, as well as in Quebec.

Last November, party members voted at their annual conference to lower the drinking age in Saskatchewan to 18 as well.

The move immediately sparked a debate in the province, with proponents saying it was a matter of fairness and opponents saying it might result in more teenage alcoholism.