March 12th, 2026
The Honourable Rosemary Moodie, Senator
Chair, Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Sent via email: Rosemary.Moodie@sen.parl.gc.ca
Dear Senator Moodie,
Re: Endorsement of Middlesex-London Health Unit Policy Position on Alcohol Labelling
On behalf of the Windsor‑Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Board of Health, we are writing to formally express our strong support for the Middlesex‑London Health Unit’s (MLHU) Policy Position on Alcohol Labelling and the recommendations outlined in Report No. 0526, including support for federal action through Bill S‑202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages).
We commend the Middlesex‑London Board of Health and Health Unit staff for their leadership in promoting an evidence‑informed policy position to address the substantial and preventable health harms associated with alcohol use. Alcohol continues to be a major contributor to chronic disease, injury, and premature mortality in Canada, and it remains the only legalized psychoactive substance that is not required to display comprehensive, regulated health warning labels.
Alcohol Harms in Windsor-Essex County
The concerns outlined by MLHU closely reflect the situation in Windsor‑Essex. Alcohol‑attributable harms place a significant and ongoing burden on our local health system, emergency services, and community wellbeing.
Local surveillance and provincial estimates further highlight the impact of alcohol in Windsor‑Essex:
- 62% of residents report regular alcohol use.
- Over 2,000 emergency department visits in 2024 were attributable to alcohol, far exceeding opioid‑related visits.
- Annual alcohol‑related rates include:
- 416.13 emergency room visits per 100,000 residents, and
- 260 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, which exceeds the provincial average.
- Public Health Ontario (2023) estimates alcohol contributes annually to:
- 142 deaths,
- 560 hospitalizations, and
- 4,395 ER visits in Windsor‑Essex.
These harms also contribute to pressures on local emergency response services, including potential impacts during Code Black periods linked to high call volumes and offload delays.
Together, these data reinforce that alcohol‑related harm is a significant and persistent public health concern in our region and underscores the need for strengthened alcohol policy measures at the national level.
Rationale for Alcohol Labelling
We strongly support MLHU’s position that mandatory, standardized alcohol labelling is a modest yet highly effective measure to improve consumer awareness and reduce harm. Evidence demonstrates that clear, well‑designed labels:
- Increase awareness of cancer and chronic disease risks, even at low levels of consumption;
- Improve understanding of alcohol strength and standard drink size;
- Support informed decision‑making at the point of purchase and consumption; and
- Complement Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health in a format accessible across socioeconomic groups.
Alcohol labelling is consistent with Canada’s approach to other legalized substances, including tobacco and non-medical cannabis, which must display standardized health warnings and product details. Closing this policy gap for alcohol represents an important, evidence-based measure to help reduce preventable harm.
Endorsement and Call to Action
The Windsor‑Essex County Health Unit Board of Health fully endorses:
- The Middlesex‑London Health Unit Policy Position on Alcohol Labelling (Appendix C, Report No, 0526), and
- The Statement from Provincial and Territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health on Labelling of Alcohol Products.
Both of which call for mandatory alcohol labels that include:
- Prominent, rotating health warning messages;
- Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health; and
- Clear standard drink information per container and per serving.
A coordinated national approach to alcohol labelling will help reduce preventable harms, strengthen health equity, and support Canadians in making informed choices.
Thank you for your leadership on this important public health issue. We look forward to continued collaboration to advance evidence‑based policy that protects and promotes the health and wellbeing of Canadians.
Sincerely,
Joe Bachetti
Chair; Board of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
References
Public Health Ontario. (2023). Burden of health conditions attributable to smoking and alcohol by public health unit in Ontario (Appendix A: Estimates). https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Health-Topics/Health-Promotion/Tobacco/Smoking-Alcohol
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2023). Canada’s guidance on alcohol and health: Final report. https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/CCSA_Canadas_Guidance_o…
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2025, November 21). Statement from the Provincial and Territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health on labelling of alcohol products. Drink Less Live More. https://drinklesslivemore.ca/en/statement-provincial-territorial-chief-…
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. (2025). Alcohol/Smoking Dashboard https://www.wechu.org/reports/alcoholsmoking-dashboard
CC:
Board of Health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit
Board of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit
The Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, Senator
The Honourable Dawn Arnold, Senator
The Honourable Victor Boudreau, Senator
The Honourable Patrick Brazeau, Senator
The Honourable Sharon Burey, Senator
The Honourable Margo Greenwood, Senator
The Honourable Katherine Hay, Senator
The Honourable Marty Klyne, Senator
The Honourable Marilou McPhedran, Senator
The Honourable Tracy Muggli, Senator
The Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, Senator
The Honourable Paulette Senior, Senator
Harb Gill, Member of Parliament for Windsor West
Kathy Borrelli, Member of Parliament for Windsor- Tecumseh- Lakeshore
Chris Lewis, Member of Parliament for Essex
Dave Epp, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Leamington
Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh
Lisa Gretzky, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor West
Anthony Leardi, Member of Provincial Parliament for Essex
Trevor Jones, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham -Kent- Leamington
City of Windsor
County of Essex
Ontario Boards of Health
Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa)