Canada made a splash in January 2023 when it released new, controversial alcohol guidelines. These guidelines were a major step in the public health establishment’s approach to alcohol consumption. The guidelines sent a specific message: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. This declaration marks an important moment, recognizing the growing awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol use. Responding to the increasing body of evidence around alcohol-related harm, Health Canada recently published new national guidelines. This startling information has sent shockwaves through health advocates and legislators.
In 2020, CIUSIR, the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, kicked off a new study. Its aim was to understand the impact of warning labels on consumer choices. Study recommendations emphasized the need for frank conversations about the dangers of drinking alcohol. Despite all efforts and criticism, many public health experts now contend that Canadian governments are failing. They feel that we can and should do more to address the known hazards of alcohol.
Tim Stockwell, a professor at the University of Victoria, emphasized the influence of corporate interests on governmental policies concerning alcohol. He explained that these interests make it all the more difficult to tackle alcohol’s substantial health harms in an effective manner.
“Commerce wants to … expand the consumption,” – Tim Stockwell
Ian Culbert, the executive director of Public Health Canada, echoed these concerns. He reiterated public health’s desire to see less alcohol consumed overall due to its negative impacts. The World Health Organization has cautioned damaging effects of alcohol on almost every bodily system. This view was explored in more detail in a second set of findings.
In May 2023, Quebec Senator Patrick Brazeau introduced Bill S-202 to make this a reality. This Private Members Bill is intended to require health warning labels on nearly all alcoholic beverages sold within Canada. This legislative effort is a clear reflection of a broader movement demanding more transparency about the health effects of drinking alcohol.
Ontario has made notable moves to loosen liquor store restrictions. For the first time ever, it is now legal for convenience stores to sell alcoholic beverages. This move has created an uproar among public health advocates. Their concern is that expanding access will raise consumption rates, which will cause more people to get sick.
Adam Sherk, a research scientist at the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction, was instrumental in the development of Canada’s new alcohol guidelines. He highlighted the double standard in labeling. It’s worth noting that alcoholic beverages with more than 0.5% alcohol by volume are exempt from regular food and beverage labeling rules. By comparison, the law requires non-alcoholic products to include nutritional information.
“Even bottled water or non-alcoholic beer has to have the nutrition facts because it doesn’t have enough alcohol in it to get the exemption,” – Adam Sherk
Now more than ever, health education is vital. Almost half of Canadians remain unaware of the health risks associated with drinking alcohol. Senator Brazeau to share his own experience of ignorance about the link between alcohol consumption and cancers like breast cancer.
“As a former alcohol consumer, I was once in the 75 per cent of Canadians who are not aware that there is a causal link between alcohol consumption and seven cancers,” – Patrick Brazeau
New governmental guidelines and legislative proposals are raising public awareness of the health risks of alcohol consumption. Public health experts are still doubtful that the government is serious enough about these crises to approach them properly. The Canadian federal government continues to determine the rules around food labeling and public health messaging. At the same time, every province controls liquor sales and sets the legal drinking age.
In April 2024, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, recommended raising the legal drinking age from 19 to 21. The idea was promptly shot down by Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford. He made the case that if 18-year-olds are able to enlist in the military, they should have the same liberty to make personal choices about drinking alcohol.
“[Governments] look at it from a lost revenue perspective, rather than from a public health perspective,” – Peter Butt
Peter Butt, a prominent crusader for alcohol consumption’s negative effects on public health, slammed the industry and the government. He further accused them of propagating false narratives promoting the supposed safety of alcohol. He lamented the continued lobbying even today that seeks to drown out public messaging on the dangers of alcohol.
“They’re using the same sort of rear-guard action policies: denial, heavy government lobbying, government revenue,” – Peter Butt
Consumer education Public health advocacy groups maintain that clear and precise communication about the risks of alcohol is key to educating consumers. Butt reiterated that consumers should have access to clear information about the health risks of drinking alcohol.
“I don’t trust either the industry nor the government to do the right thing based upon past action. I think it’s important that consumers are educated,” – Peter Butt
Experts say that discussions over public alcohol consumption policies are heating up. They’re concerned that making alcohol more available would increase health risks to Canadians. As Adam Sherk pointed out, this isn’t simply a dramatic increase in sales—this is a historic change in access.
“There’s never been such a large increase in availability all at once,” – Adam Sherk
