Home > Resources > Publications > Newsletters > APN Newsletters > APN: Update, Vol. 1 March/April 1996

Alcohol Policy Update

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Alcohol Policy Network
Feel free to copy & distribute
Vol. 1 March/April 1996


What is Alcohol Policy ?

Alcohol - we celebrate with it, unwind with it, and sometimes we even drown our sorrows in it. It's the drug of choice for most Ontarians and one which can have devasting consequences for the health and safety of our friends, families, and communities. According to the Addiction Research Foundation, alcohol:

  • is associated with nearly half of all motor vehicle fatalities, and 75% of snowmobile and marine vehicle deaths in Ontario.
  • has a harmful effect on the friendships, social life, physical health, home life, marriage, work, studies, employment opportunities or financial position of one in three Ontarians.
  • costs Ontario taxpayers an estimated $5 billion annually in extra law enforcement, social welfare and health care.

In Canada, we try to prevent or reduce alcohol-related harm by:

  1. controlling alcohol availability through wholesale or retail monopolies, pricing and taxation policies, licensing and other measures;
  2. regulating alcohol advertising and promotion; and
  3. using a variety of health promotion, harm reduction and enforcement measures.

Although local municipalities, district health councils and federal and provincial ministries of health and the attorney-general, among others, play a significant role in alcohol policy and planning, the nuts and bolts of alcohol regulation in this province are largely in the hands of three arms-length agencies: the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario (LLBO) and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

The LCBO: Controlling Wholesale and Retail Alcohol Sales

The LCBO was established in 1927 to oversee wholesale and retail sales of alcohol in Ontario. It operates five regional warehouses, 600 retail liquor stores, 74 agency stores and 10 duty-free shops. It also regulates the private, for-profit operations of 440 Brewers Retail stores and 320 Ontario wine outlets. In order to promote moderate consumption, the LCBO sets minimum prices for all its products and lower prices for low-alcohol beverages. As part of its social responsibility function, it funds public education campaigns and controls sales to minors and intoxicated persons through its Challenge and Refusal Program. To ensure that alcohol products sold in Ontario meet public health demands, the LCBO conducts 150,000 tests on alcohol beverages annually and works closely with the police and customs officials to crack down on smuggling and bootlegging.

The LLBO: Regulating Licensed Premises and Events

The LLBO was established in 1947 to administer and enforce the Liquor License Act. It oversees Ontario liquor manufacturers and their representatives; regulates some 15,000 licensed establishments across the province; issues and monitors approximately 84,000 special occasion permits annually; and pre-approves alcohol advertising in Ontario. Its 10 different types of licences and endorsements restrict, among other things, areas in which alcohol may be served or consumed, alcohol content, beverage type and size, and serving hours.

Under the Liquor Licence Act, licensees and permit holders have three main responsibilities:

  1. to promote responsible drinking,
  2. to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere, and
  3. to comply with relevant fire, health and safety, employment, taxation and other laws.

The Act gives municipalities and local residents the option of designating wet and dry areas and petitioning the Board to turn down, revoke or attach conditions to liquor license or special occasion permit applications. In the case of property damage, death, or injury as a result of an intoxicated patron, the Act also grants community members the right to sue the establishment or server.

The CRTC: Controlling Alcohol Advertising

The CRTC reviews all broadcast alcohol advertising prior to airing on radio, TV and specialty services and has the power to reject or requests modifications to those ads it considers in contravention of the Code for Broadcast Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages. Both the Code and the LLBO's Advertising Guidelines (which apply to all forms of advertising) prohibit advertisers from appealing to underage drinkers or linking alcohol with dangerous, harmful, irresponsible or unlawful activities. Advertisers are also prohibited from advertising in ways that lead consumers to believe that by drinking they can resolve personal, social or physical problems, become more socially acceptable, attain higher social status, or achieve greater personal, business or athletic success.

Currently, all three agencies are reviewing their mandate and operations with respect to alcohol. For more information, please call the Liquor Control Board (416-365-5900 ), Liquor Licence Board (416-326-0425) or the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (819-997-2429) or the Addiction Research Foundation (416-595-6100).


Did you know that...

  • 82% of Ontario adults and 78% of high school students drink alcohol?
  • One in five high school students who drive gets behind the wheel within an hour of consuming two or more drinks?
  • Over 75% of street youth report having had alcohol problems within their family and over one third cite alcohol-related problems as a reason for leaving home?
  • Women currently living with men who drink alcohol regularly, are three times more likely to be assaulted by the their partners than women whose partners never drink?
  • In 1994, the Province of Ontario collected $1.4 billion in alcohol-related profits, taxes and fees?
  • Lost labour productivity due to alcohol is estimated to cost Ontario businesses $1 billion annually?
  • Nearly three quarters of Ontario residents live within 10 minutes of a bar or liquor store?
  • Over 70% of Ontarians oppose longer bar hours, lower alcohol taxes and alcohol sales in corner stores?

Sources: CCSA/ARF 1995 Canadian Profile: Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs; Facts About Alcohol Policy, ARF in press; Alcohol Policy, Consumption Patterns, Access to Alcohol and Harmful Effects of Drinking, Preliminary Report based on the 1995 Ontario Alcohol & Other Drugs Survey, ARF, November 1995; Taking on Tomorrow: LCBO Annual Report, 1993-94.


Alcohol Policy Round Up

"Got any alcohol policy news you'd like to share? E-mail, fax or mail us the info and we'll get the word out."

Alcohol Warning Labels Bill Goes Forwards

Member of Parliament Paul Szabo, (Mississauga South) is sponsoring a private member's bill (Bill C-337) requiring all containers of alcoholic beverages sold in Canada to carry health warning labels. The proposed label reads: "Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs a person's ability to operate machinery or an automobile and may cause health problems or cause birth defects during pregnancy." The Bill passed second reading in December and has been referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health for public hearings. For more information, please call Paul Szabo, (905)822-2111 or (613) 992-4848.

Extended Bar Hours Considered

The LLBO is currently examining whether to extend the hours of alcohol sales and service at licenced premises or events. Options include: 1) maintaining the current hours; 2) extending hours from the current 1:00 am to 2:00 am or 3:00 am; 3) extending hours and giving municipalities greater powers to opt out/retain current hours without Board interference. A consultation with key stakeholders was held in early January. No word yet on the outcome, although Cabinet is may be considering some options in March. For more information, please contact Syd Girling, Manager, Policy & Communications, LLBO, 416-326-0381.

CRTC Reviews Advertising Code

Last Fall, the CRTC undertook a major public consultation on proposed revisions to the Code for Broadcast Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages. Among the proposals put forward were:

  1. whether the CRTC should stop pre-clearing broadcast alcohol ads or turn over this function to the Canadian Advertising Foundation;
  2. whether bars, restaurants, pubs and liquor stores should be allowed to promote alcoholic beverages on radio and TV (right now they may only state they are licenced);
  3. whether stations should be required to broadcast specific educational messages on the effects of "excessive alcohol consumption."

To date, the CRTC has received 155 submissions. No official word yet on what decisions have been taken, although public hearings may be in the works. For more information, please contact the CRTC, (819) 997-2429.

Alcohol Warning Sign Legislation Pending

The City of Toronto has petitioned the provincial government for the power to pass bylaws requiring licenced premises to post signs warning the public of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. The bill will be referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills after first reading. For more information, please contact the Queen's Park Clerk's Office, (416) 325-3528 or Isabel Bassett, MPP, St. Andrew/St. Patrick, (416) 326-9092.


To Privatize or Not to Privatize?

Ontario's plans to privatize the LCBO have been the subject of heated debate over the past few months. Although economic arguments have dominated the discussion, the significant impact of privatization on public health and safety has also begun to attract attention, thanks largely to the efforts of a growing coalition of community groups. Perspectives on De-regulation/ Privatization of Liquor Retail Sales is this month's topic on APOLNET - the Alcohol Policy Network's new on-line service. Among the posted research papers, speeches, policy positions and background materials are:

  • The Case for Privatization, by Toronto Life reporter Margaret Swaine
  • The Case Against Privatization, a keynote address by noted legal expert Dr. Robert Solomon
  • Perspectives from the Ontario wine and brewing industries and a variety of community groups.
  • A bibliography listing the most up-to-date resources on the topic.

Materials may be read on-line or downloaded for future reference (see APOLNET Users Manual). Those interested in sharing news and views with others across the province may also post questions or materials on the public forum. Internet: www.apolnet.org. Direct dial via modem: 416-595-6069 (8,N,1).


News & Views

"If you have a relevant publication, initiative or event that you would like to publicize, please let us know - use the form below."

Conferences & Workshops

May 4-8 - Reducing Risk Among Young Adults, the Tenth International Alcohol Policy Conference. Toronto. See enclosed package or call ARF.

Public Education Campaigns

ARAPO, the Association to Reduce Alcohol Promotion in Ontario, kicked off its 1996 Awareness and Action Campaign in January. Its goal is to raise awareness of and promote action on alcohol advertising targeting youth.

The campaign consists of a poster, pamphlet and mail-in card, a workshop series and a legal primer on alcohol advertising. Free. For information please call Simone Cusenza, 416-740-9592.

The Multi-faith Task Force on Substance Abuse is organizing a letter and fact-sheet campaign to educate faith communities and others about the impact of privatization of alcohol sales on the health and safety of Ontarians. For more information, please contact Father Massey Lombardi, (416) 763-1491.

Recent Publications

The Economic Impact and Taxation Burden from the Distilled Spirits Industry. Ottawa: Conference Board of Canada, November, 1995. Free. The Association of Canadian Distillers, 613-238-8444 or the Conference Board of Canada, 613-526-3280.

Proposed Privatization of Retail Alcohol Sales in Ontario: Health, Social, Economic & Safety Implications. Toronto: ARF, November 1995. Free. Dr. Norman Giesbrecht, 416-595-6895.

Alcohol Policy, Consumption Patterns, Access to Alcohol and Harmful Effects of Drinking: Preliminary Report: Ontario 1995 General Population Survey. Toronto: ARF, December 1995. Free. Paulette West, 416-595-6932.

Upcoming Publications

The Alcohol Policy Network is currently working on two publications. A review of developments in alcohol in Ontario in 1995, targeted at policy makers and others with an interest in alcohol policy, will be available in late April. A resource guide for municipalities on how to deal with alcohol-related problems locally will be available in late May. Limited quantities. One free copy to target readership. To pre-order, please contact Ontario Public Health Association, 468 Queen Street East, Suite 202, Toronto, ON M5A 1T7, (416) 367-3313 ext. 23 or 1-800-267-6817, Fax: (416) 367-2844, Internet E-mail: apn@opha.on.ca or APOLNET E-Mail: apn..

Please note: Information appearing in this newsletter in no way constitutes an endorsement by OPHA or its members. Printing of submissions is subject to space availability. Future editions of Alcohol Policy Update will be published via fax only. Hard copies may be subject to a fee. To ensure your name remains on our mailing list, please send us an Alcohol Policy Network Member/Supporter Application Form.


Please direct any comments or suggestions to “APOLNET” staff at the OPHA office :
Paula Neves : 416-367-3313 ext. 27 or
Ana Almeida : 416-367-3313 ext. 23

Internet E-mail: apn@opha.on.ca
SANO User ID: apn