opinion: canadians deserve up to date health guidance on alcohol
3 minute read
a 2025 study revealed that that people in canada who drink alcohol consume an average of more than 13 standard drinks per week, far exceeding what science now deems low risk.
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january is a time when many canadians reflect on their health. we commit to getting in better shape, healthy eating, and setting personal goals. as part of this self-reflection, many people participate in alcohol-free or dry january, using the month to change habits and raise money for causes they care about.
however, permanently cutting back on or cutting out alcohol is far less common. perhaps this is because information from health canada is out of date and does not use the latest guidance. this sets the bar for “low risk” alcohol consumption much higher than current scientific evidence supports. to protect the health of canadians, this needs to change. in an age of misinformation, canadians need credible sources of health information. the federal government must update its alcohol guidelines with accurate, transparent information so people can make informed decisions about their health.
alcohol is a group 1 carcinogen—the same category as tobacco and asbestos—and is linked to at least nine types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver and oral cancers. several large studies have shown that cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed, and even small and consistent amounts can be harmful. if that weren’t enough, in 2023, the world health organization (who) declared that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no amount that does not affect health.
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despite the mountain of evidence, the federal government’s guidance on alcohol has not been updated since 2011. canada’s low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines, which are endorsed by health canada and published on the government of canada’s website, categorize low risk consumption as 10 standard drinks a week for women and 15 for men. in stark contrast, the 2023 guidelines issued by the canadian centre on substance use and addiction (ccsa) categorize low risk consumption as one to two standard drinks per week. with conflicting guidance from respected sources, which advice should canadians follow?
a closer look at ccsa’s 2023 guidelines reveals the rigor with which they were developed. they are the result of a two-and-a-half-year process that brought together experts from across the country. they were informed by a thorough review of worldwide evidence, mathematical modelling, and extensive consultations and discussions. since their release, the guidelines have been endorsed by countless national health organizations, including the canadian cancer society, who recognize them as a critical step toward providing people with the information needed to assess the health risks associated with alcohol.
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confusingly, the development of ccsa’s alcohol guidelines was funded by health canada with the intention that they would replace canada’s low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines. yet, three years later, the federal government has not fully adopted or consistently communicated the new guidance, and their website still reflects recommendations from 2011. science has evolved; but health canada’s guidance has not.
the case for adjusting canada’s alcohol guidance is strong. alcohol-related harms affect people in canada every day. families are impacted. caregivers face strain. hospitals and emergency departments feel the pressure. alcohol is responsible for nearly 7,000 cases of cancer and over 3,200 cancer deaths in canada each year. drinking also contributes to chronic diseases like kidney disease and several types of cardiovascular disease.
in addition to the impact on individual health, the societal cost of alcohol is high. an estimated $16 to 20 billion annually is spent on healthcare, lost productivity and law enforcement linked to alcohol consumption. in ontario alone, alcohol-related emergency room visits increased by more than 24,000 in just two years following retail expansion of alcohol to grocery stores. in british columbia, a 20 per cent increase in alcohol outlets was linked to a 3.25 per cent rise in deaths. these are all preventable harms—harms that might be minimized if canadians had access to clear, evidence-based information.
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a 2025 study revealed that that people in canada who drink alcohol consume an average of more than 13 standard drinks per week, far exceeding what science now deems low risk. in light of the recommendations in ccsa’s guidelines and of who’s proclamation that any amount of alcohol puts health at risk, these numbers are deeply concerning. but they are also unsurprising given the contradictory advice on what qualifies as low-risk drinking.
canadians deserve clear guidance on alcohol and health, and there is a simple path forward. the federal government must formally adopt ccsa’s guidelines and ensure health canada aligns its public messaging, tools and education with this guidance. conflicting recommendations leave people confused and uncertain. by aligning the guidance and prioritizing awareness, we can empower people in canada to make choices that reduce harm, lower cancer risk and build healthier communities. canadians have the right to know, and that right must be delivered.
andrea seale is the chief executive officer of the canadian cancer society.
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