Can a 17-year-old move out in Alberta

[Lailyne]

Hey,

My mom is being unreasonable with me so I've decided to move out. At first she agreed, but then said if I moved out she'll call the cops and social workers on me. So my question is, can I move out without her permission? I've already made arrangments to stay somewhere else so where I stay won't be a problem and of course I'll still go to school. Can she really call the cops on me?

[expertlaw]

I've never found any authoritative information on emancipation laws in Canada. Check with a guidance counselor at school, or ask at the local police department. If you get a definite answer, please share it here. Thanks.

[Lailyne]

Lol, I didn't know my student counselor would know about stuff like this. I talked with her today and yes, I can move out. Technically, once I turn 16 the police won't go looking after me if I do decide to move out or runaway even if my Mom calls them. Yet I just can't really rent a place cause they usually only let 18 year olds or older do that. I can register myself for school and open new banks accounts and whatever, just as long as I first declare that I'm independant.

So I'm all set. I have a job with benefits and a place to stay. Hope this was useful to someone.

[expertlaw]

That's consistent with what I have heard - that in Canada, at age sixteen you can legally set up an independent residence. I just wish I could find a definitive legal authority to reference for that issue.