Ottawa, June 26, 2018 – The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released a study estimating the cost of substance use to Canadian society. The $1.4 million study, funded by Health Canada, fails to discuss some of the positive trends that are a direct result of industry, government and NGOs working toward reducing harmful drinking and fostering a culture of moderation across Canada.

“CCSA is an excellent organization that publishes a lot of thoughtful research,” said Luke Harford, President of Beer Canada. “But these cost studies come with a lot of moving parts aimed at producing the highest and most alarming numbers.”

Almost two-thirds of the cost estimate for alcohol in the study relate to productivity losses and the criminal justice system. These costs are contentious and subject to ongoing debate among health economists. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines have advised against including loss of production in cost of substance use studies.

Harford said, “There are a lot of assumptions built into these types of cost studies and CCSA’s new study is no different. The assumptions boost the costs and downplay, trivialize or ignore any benefits.”

The majority of Canadian adults drink in moderation. Among those who drink, 80% do so within the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines for long-term harm, and 85% for short-term harm.

Canada’s beer, wine and spirits makers are committed to encouraging responsible choices and believe that for adults of legal drinking age, moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a well-balanced lifestyle. Canada’s beer, wine and spirits makers, large and small, are proud of the products they make and the people they employ in their breweries, wineries and distilleries in communities across the country.

Jan Westcott, President and CEO of Spirits Canada highlighted, “Canada’s low risk drinking guidelines recommend adults limit their alcohol consumption to two drinks a day for women and three drinks a day for men. Whereas the guidelines for tobacco, or cocaine, is zero.”

Everyone has a role to play in combatting harm.

“Today’s impaired driving levels are at an historic low in Canada and awareness activities by Canada’s beer, wine and spirits makers contributed significantly to this progress,” said Dan Paszkowski, President and CEO of the Canadian Vintners Association. “There is more to be done for sure but progress is being made, and in Canada the vast majority of adults drink alcohol in a balanced and responsible manner,” highlighted Paszkowski.

Canada’s beer, wine and spirits companies are proud of the products they make and know that it is a privilege to be part of Canada’s heritage and communities. The $1.4 million study, paid for by Canadian taxpayers, amplifies costs while failing to acknowledge the progress that has been made.

KEY FACTS:

  • In 2016 impaired driving declined for the fifth consecutive year reaching a historical low with the rate falling by 66% since 1986, and by 3% over the previous year (Statistics Canada, Police-reported Crime Statistics in Canada, 2016, July 24, 2017)
  • Statistics Canada reports that, while the highest impaired driving rate was observed among drivers aged 20 to 24, this rate was 36% lower than the rate recorded in 2009, one of the largest declines recorded among all age groups (Statistics Canada, Impaired Driving in Canada 2015, December 14, 2016).
  • 77% of young adults in Canada are licensed drivers – among them, 8 in 10 (78%) have served as designated drivers. 79% of those surveyed always plan ahead of time how they are going to get home before going out and drinking (Ipsos Reid Study, 2017)
  • Past-year alcohol use for Canadians of 15-24 years of age fell from 83% in 2004 to 71% in 2015. Health Canada Surveys: 2004 CAS, 2012 CADUMS and 2015 CTADS).
  • The longest ongoing school survey in Canada, and one of the longest in the world, the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), reports significant decreases in past year alcohol use (more than a few sips) among students during the period from 1999 to 2017, from 66% to 43% (CAMH, Drug Use among Ontario Students, OSDUHS, 2017).
  • OECD data indicates Canada ranks only 26th out of a total of 44 countries by level of alcohol consumption (OECD Indicators, Health at a Glance 2017, November 10, 2017).
  • Canada’s alcohol consumption at 8.1 litres per capita is below the OECD average of 9 litres  (OECD Indicators, Health at a Glance 2017, November 10, 2017).

RESOURCES:

 

 Act Now to Allow Interprovincial Wine Delivery 

Background:

As the national voice for wineries in this important and growing industry, we remain committed to advocating for the ability of wineries to ship their wine direct-to-consumer (DTC), irrespective of province. With our members, we have developed a detailed approach to DTC which was presented to the Federal, Provincial/Territorial Alcoholic Beverages Working Group (ABWG), established under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This proposal meets all trade laws and regulations and would help to ensure that consumers can purchase their choice of Canada’s premium small production wines. It will also support the growth of the Canadian wine industry.

The ABWG is tasked with making recommendations that will support the trade of alcoholic beverages within Canada, while being mindful of social responsibility and international trade obligations. The working group will submit its recommendations to the Committee on Internal Trade by July 1, 2018. On the basis of that report, the federal and provincial governments will determine how trade in alcoholic beverages within Canada can be improved.

To date, unfair interprovincial trade barriers have harmed Canada’s wine industry by making it difficult for Canadians to obtain premium small production wines from an out-of-province Canadian winery. 100% Canadian wine represents less than a 5 per cent wine sales market share in eight of our 10 provinces. No other wine producing country has these kinds of restrictions.

According to a December 2017 study by the Gandalf Group, 9 out of 10 Canadians believe consumers should be able to order wine for delivery to their home from any Canadian winery located in any province.

Your voice is Needed – ACT NOW 

It’s imperative that consumers and industry place pressure on the Alcoholic Beverages Working Group to ensure a recommendation to allow Direct-to-Consumer shipping is included in their report.

Freeing up interprovincial trade would have a positive impact on the Canadian economy. Industry research shows that for every $1.00 spent on Canadian wine nationally, $3.42 in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated. Allowing for DTC shipment of wine would enable consumers to purchase wines of their choice, and support wineries and grape growers.

By visiting FreeMyGrapes and sending a letter to your political representative you’ll be helping to raise the profile of this important consumer choice and free trade issue. Your voice is critical in helping to move forward action on trade within Canada.