Item - 2019.HL8.4

The Board of Health:

1.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to work with the City Manager to review the implications of provincial regulatory changes related to increased alcohol access on the City of Toronto's policies and services and to determine appropriate actions. 

2.  Requested the Minister of Finance to include local public health units, including Toronto Public Health, among the public health experts consulted on how to mitigate the social costs of increased alcohol access, as recommended in the report by Ontario's Special Advisor for the Beverage Alcohol Review.

3.  Directed that the report (July 5, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Ontario Ministry of Finance as input into their proposed approach to increase access to alcohol, which includes working with public health experts to mitigate the social costs of increased alcohol access, as recommended in the report by Ontario's Special Advisor for the Beverage Alcohol Review.

4.  Directed that the report (July 5, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Centennial College, Humber College, Seneca College, and George Brown College for consideration in their programs and policies.

The Ontario Budget, released April 11, 2019, reiterated or proposed changes to how alcohol is sold across the province. This report examines the implications of these changes and responds to the Board of Health's request for a report with recommendations related to the expanded availability of retail sales and extended hours for the sale and consumption of alcohol in the City of Toronto.

The Government of Ontario's changes to how alcohol is sold include: to expand retail alcohol sales to convenience and big box stores, to allow certain providers to serve alcohol starting at 9:00 a.m., to allow permits for "tailgating" at eligible sporting events, and to allow municipalities to designate public areas for alcohol consumption. The Province also recently announced plans to continue expanding alcohol sales in grocery stores and through Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) "Convenience Outlets" by year-end. Finally, Ontario's Special Advisor for the Beverage Alcohol Review released a report outlining recommendations for retail alcohol expansion that includes working with public health experts to mitigate the social costs related to alcohol.

There is evidence that increasing access to alcohol, through greater retail availability and longer hours in which alcohol is sold, is associated with increased alcohol consumption and higher rates of alcohol-related harms. Overall, the proposed provincial changes significantly challenge efforts to promote responsible drinking, to protect the public's health and safety, and to address the potential economic costs of alcohol consumption.

This report recommends that the Medical Officer of Health work with the City Manager to review the implications of provincial regulatory changes related to increased alcohol access on City services and policies, such as the Municipal Alcohol Policy, and determine appropriate actions. This will support the City's ongoing efforts to promote responsible alcohol consumption. It also recommends the Province consult with local public health units, including Toronto Public Health, and that this report be provided to the Ontario Ministry of Finance as input into their approach to increase access to alcohol, as well as to other relevant organizations for use in updating their programs and policies to support the incorporation of additional measures to mitigate the social and health harms associated with increased alcohol availability.