Association of Local Public Health Agencies' Response to Expansion of LCBO Franchise Stores

This letter was sent to the following offices: Minister of Consumer and Business Services
Minister of Finance
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Solicitor General
Attorney General (Federal)
Premier of Ontario

Honourable Minister:

Re: A Public Health Response to the Proposed LCBO Franchise System

On behalf of member Medical Officers of Health, Boards of Health and Affiliate organizations of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), I am writing in support of recent recommendations by the Toronto Board of Health regarding the Proposed LCBO Franchise System.

Our members are bound by the Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines (MHPSG), published under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, to work toward the reduction of disability, morbidity and mortality caused by alcohol. One of the specific objectives is to achieve a 20% reduction of alcohol and other substance-related injuries and deaths by the year 2010 (a). We are therefore expressing our concerns about the proposed Franchise System's increased availability of alcohol in general and the increased availability of alcohol in high-risk areas in particular.

It is not unreasonable to predict that the increased availability of alcohol under the LCBO Franchise System could lead to increases in consumption, problem drinking and in turn the related problems of motor vehicle crashes, violence, fetal alcohol syndrome and chronic diseases.

We believe that the issues raised in this report must receive careful consideration by your government. The decisions about how to proceed with the Proposal cannot be based solely on improving service levels and revenue streams. The government has an obligation to carefully examine the public health and societal implications. We welcome consultation with the boards of health in Ontario, which are designated by the government to examine these specific issues.

We look forward to a response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Andrew Papadopoulos, BASc, MBA
Executive Director

cc: Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, President, Association of Local Public Health Agencies
Dr. Sheela Basrur, MOH, City of Toronto
Dr. Colin D'Cunha, Director, Public Health Branch and Chief Medical Officer of Health
Minister of Consumer and Business Services
Minister of Finance
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Solicitor General
Attorney General
Premier of Ontario

a) Ministry of Health, Public Health Branch, December 1997, p.20 -Injury Prevention Including Substance Abuse Prevention.

Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa)
425 University Avenue, Suite 502
Toronto, ON, M5G 1T6
Tel: (416) 595-0006
Fax: (416) 595-0030
E-mail: mail@alphaweb.org
Web Site: www.alphaweb.org