Health advocates express concern about potential alcohol sales changes in N.S.

CBC

28-05-2025

As the Nova Scotia government prepares to uncork consultation on whether to expand retail options for alcohol in the province, a coalition of health groups is calling for those talks to be transparent and for consideration of potential risks to play a factor in any decision.
"Talking to groups that are trying to make a difference and move the needle on health outcomes that are impacted by alcohol is a really important voice to have when we do these types of consultations," said Kara Thompson, an associate professor, research chair in substance use policy and prevention, and director of the Institute for Innovation in Health at St. Francis Xavier University.
Thompson also chairs the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition. The group sent a letter this week to all 55 MLAs in the province, along with senior health and finance officials, outlining their concerns with the potential of expanded sales points.
Signatories on the letter also include representatives for the Canadian Cancer Society, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor from the IWK Health Centre and organizations that fight intimate partner and family violence.
Counter to key government mandate
"[The government] has committed to fixing health-care in this province and the suggestion that we expand access to alcohol is directly counter to that mandate," said Thompson in an interview.
"There is no doubt that increased access to alcohol is going to increase health-care costs."
The letter to MLAs says that in 2022, alcohol was responsible for 571 deaths and almost 44,200 emergency department and hospital visits across the province. Alcohol-related harms cost the province hundreds of millions of dollars a year in related expenses, the letter says.
Government officials confirmed last month that the idea of expanding sales for alcohol in the province to locations such as convenience stores was being kicked around. At the time, Premier Tim Houston said he was intrigued by the idea, but pledged "extensive consultation" before any changes happen.
Details from gov't to come
Finance Minister John Lohr's department will lead consultations when they begin. Lohr was not made available for an interview Wednesday, but a department spokesperson said in a statement the government is working to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and changes in the alcohol sector "may be a key part of that effort."
"Before any decisions can be made about how alcohol is sold, we first need to engage with stakeholders to better understand the broader issues and what Nova Scotians may want to see," said Heather Fairbairn.
"We'll be happy to share more about what that process will look like shortly before the engagement begins."
Representatives for the province's craft brewing and wine growers associations support the idea, provided any new shelf space comes with requirements for a certain amount of Nova Scotia-made products. They also want to be consulted.
'Significant access' already available
Mike Hammoud, Atlantic vice-president for the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, declined an interview request.
In a statement, Hammoud said the organization has not been invited so far for any consultation but has long supported opening up new sales channels for provincial producers of beer, wine and ready-to-drink products.
"Our members have a stellar track record of retailing age-restricted products," the statement said.
"We look forward to the day when Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces join the majority of Eastern Canadians (Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland) who already have the choice to buy local beer and related products in licensed and inspected retail convenience stores."
But in their letter to MLAs, Thompson and coalition members say it's unclear why there is a need for more retail options given that there are already 110 NSLC retail stores and 65 agency stores. There are also four private retailers in the Halifax area and craft breweries, wineries and other producers can sell direct to customers.
"Nova Scotia already has significant access to alcohol and a privatized retail system," the letter said.
If the government does go ahead with opening up sales, coalition members are calling for "appropriate guardrails," such as requirements for training for people working in stores, rules about how close alcohol can be sold in proximity to schools, and parameters around what kinds of products are allowed to be sold in various retail outlets.