TORONTO – A coalition of prominent health institutions says Premier Doug Ford’s government has no strategy to mitigate problems that could result from the province’s newly liberalized alcohol sales rules, warning that more death, cancer diagnoses and emergency department strains may occur.
The coalition, which includes the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Cancer Society, say the province has not responded to its request to work together to come up with a plan to deal with the possible harms.
Thursday marks the province’s final stage of opening up the alcohol sales market as grocery stores that are not already selling booze can stock their shelves with beer, wine and coolers.
The province says it is spending $10 million over five years to support social responsibility and public-health efforts, although it has not provided details on what that entails.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario says it has issued new licences to just over 400 grocery stores across the province in addition to the 450 that are already licensed.
It says it has issued licences to 4,707 convenience stores, which have been able to sell booze since early September.
