MIDDLESEX-LONDON BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT NO. 05-26
TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Dr. Alexander Summers, Medical Officer of Health
Emily Williams, Chief Executive Officer
DATE: 2026 January 22
ALCOHOL LABELLING POLICY POSITION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Health:
- Receive Report No. 05-26 re: “Alcohol Labelling Policy Position” for information;
- Endorse Appendix C re: Middlesex-London Health Unit Policy Position on Alcohol Labelling;
- Endorse Appendix D re: Statement from Provincial/Territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health on Labelling of Alcohol Products; and
- Direct the Clerk to forward Report No. 05-26 and Appendices C and D to all members of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology, copied to all Ontario Boards of Health and local Members of Parliament.
Report Highlights
- The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) was a witness at a session of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology regarding its examination of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages).
- The Middlesex-London Board of Health has a history of supporting public health policy measures intended to mitigate the health harms associated with alcohol, including the need for alcohol labelling.
- The Provincial/Territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health have endorsed a position statement on alcohol warning labels, strongly encouraging the federal government to mandate health label requirements on alcohol containers for sale in Canada.
- It is the position of the Middlesex-London Health Unit that all alcohol manufactured or sold in Canada should have mandatory, regulated labels including health warnings, Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, and standard drink size information.
Background
In late October, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology (SOCI) invited a representative from the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) to appear as a witness on October 29, 2025, as part of its examination of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages). As requested by the committee, an opening statement and briefing was submitted prior to the meeting, attached as Appendix A and Appendix B. Linda Stobo, Manager of Comprehensive Health Promotion B, represented MLHU, presenting opening remarks and speaking to questions posed by Committee members, along with Medical Health Officers from Toronto Public Health and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Previous Board of Health Support for Alcohol Labelling
At the April 20, 2023 meeting, the Board of Health moved to endorse a correspondence item in support of ‘BILL S-254 An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages)” from Ann-Marie Kungl, Board of Health Chair, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Bill S-254 died on the Order Paper due to Parliamentary Prorogation in January 2025. Bill S-202 was reintroduced to Senate on May 28, 2025 proposing the amendment of the Food and Drugs Act to regulate health warning labels on alcohol beverages.
MLHU Policy Position
All alcohol manufactured or sold in Canada should have mandatory, regulated labels including health warnings, Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, and standard drink size information.
The MLHU Policy Position statement, attached as Appendix C, situates alcohol consumption in Middlesex-London, quantifies the population health burden, and identifies the lack of public awareness regarding alcohol and its harms; health warning labels are proven to be effective at helping consumers make informed choices. The MLHU policy position aligns with the Provincial and Territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health’s (PTCMOH) statement on alcohol warning labels released in December 2025, linked as Appendix D.
Next Steps
At the time of drafting this report, Bill S-202 is at the end of Committee stage but has not yet passed approval for debate at third reading. If passed by Senate at third reading, the Bill will then go to the House of Commons for first, second, committee, and third readings. If passed by both chambers, the bill will receive royal assent and become law.
It is recommended that the Board of Health endorse MLHU’s Policy Position (Appendix C) and PTCMOH’s Statement (Appendix D) on alcohol warning labels. Further, it is recommended that this report and Appendices C and D be sent to all members of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology, copied to all Ontario Boards of Health and local Members of Parliament, to contribute to a unified public health voice regarding alcohol labelling.
This report was written by the Comprehensive Health Promotion B Team.
Alexander Summers, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health
Emily Williams, BScN, RN, MBA, CHE
Chief Executive Officer
This report refers to the following principle(s) set out in Policy G-490, Appendix A:
- The Chronic Disease Prevention and Well-Being and the Substance Use and Injury Prevention standards as outlined in the Ontario Public Health Standards: Requirements for Programs, Services and Accountability.
- The following goal or direction from the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Strategic Plan:
- Our public health programs are effective, grounded in evidence and equity
This topic has been reviewed to be in alignment with goals under the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Anti-Black Racism Plan and Taking Action for Reconciliation, specifically recommendation “Create Supportive Environments – ensure the use of culturally-respectful terminology”.