Bill S-254 letter of support on behalf of the Board of Health
Bill S-254 is an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), which was introduced a year ago asking the Federal Government to mandate labeling on alcoholic beverages. It was initiated by Senator Patrick Brazeau in the Canadian Senate. Once passed, Bill S-254 will require alcoholic beverage labels to include standard drink information and health information about the link between alcohol consumption and the development of seven types of cancer.
The HC team from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) drafted an advocacy letter to support Bill S-254. The requirements of the Bill are aligned with the recommendations of Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health (CGAH) and Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) Evidence-based Recommendations for Labelling Alcohol Products in Canada.
In September, Hamzah Abid, a Healthy Communities health promoter, presented the new CGAH and the advocacy letter to the Board of Health (BOH) members. HPEPH’s Medical Officer of Health and BOH members were in support of the letter. Afterward, the letter was sent to Senator Brazeau, to show support for this bill.
Violence Prevention Evidence Review
Exposure to violence, especially during childhood, can have a lasting impact on one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, including increasing risk of substance use, mental illness, and chronic and infectious diseases. Violence includes behaviour that harms oneself, another person, or a group.
HPEPH recently completed a Violence Prevention Evidence Review to gain a better understanding of the state of violence nationally and here in Hastings Prince Edward counties (HPEC). The aim of the review was to assess the current situation and to understand what actions HPEPH can take to help address violence in our region. The review showed that violent crime and intimate partner violence (IPV) in HPEC is higher than the provincial average. Additionally, local police departments reported an increase in sexual offences and assaults from 2021 to 2022.
Last year there was an investigation into the triple murder of three women on the same day in 2015 by their former mutual partner. The investigation made 86 recommendations, the first was to ask the province to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. So far, the province has not done so.
However, some municipalities have voted to declare IPV an epidemic, including Lanark County, Mississippi Mills, Ottawa, Renfrew County, and Prince Edward County. Additionally, Quinte West Council will be voting on declaring IPV an epidemic in November. This declaration from local municipalities demonstrates commitment to working together to end gender-based violence.
The recommendations from the HPEPH evidence review is informing how the HPEPH Healthy Communities program is developing strategies to help prevent violence, including teaching healthy relationships skills in childcare and school settings, strengthening supports for women and families, and creating supportive environments.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, visit the Quinte Coordinating Committee Against Violence for information and resources.
