New Provincial Alcohol Strategy focused on health and community safety

Press Release

June 29, 2026

The Government of Prince Edward Island has released a Provincial Alcohol Strategy, taking a balanced approach to reducing alcohol‑related harms and supporting healthier, safer communities across the province.

The strategy focuses on prevention and proven approaches that improve health across communities. It will reduce pressure on the health care system, improve public safety and help Islanders to make informed decisions that support their health.

“This strategy is a balanced plan to promote the health and well‑being of Islanders. Alcohol harms are too high, impacting families, community safety, and putting strain on our health system. By strengthening prevention and modernizing policy, we are taking meaningful steps to reduce those harms.”

– Minister of Health and Wellness Cory Deagle

With 16 focused and practical recommendations, the strategy provides a roadmap for action to be implemented over time, in partnership with communities and partners.

“Alcohol is linked to serious health harms, including several cancers, heart disease, and increased risk of injury and violence. The actions in this strategy will reduce these risks and help Islanders enjoy better health.”

– Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison

Together, these actions will strengthen the health and safety of communities across the province.

“Prevention matters. We know that alcohol is a risk factor for at least nine types of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer, and that reducing alcohol-related harms can help reduce cancer risk. This strategy reflects the kind of evidence based cancer prevention leadership the Canadian Cancer Society advocates for and will help create healthier communities across Prince Edward Island.”
– Heather Mulligan, Senior Manager of Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society

“As a proud member of the Choose Well Community Action Network, UPEI is committed to align our actions with the new Provincial Alcohol Strategy. The University has already updated its alcohol policy and has introduced the national ‘Your Drink, Your Call’ campaign, which supports non-judgmental approaches to alcohol-harm awareness. This year, we will also launch a new program to ensure students are informed about low-risk drinking guidelines and the link between alcohol use and nine cancers. Our hope is help students make healthy and safe choices, setting them up for success during their post-secondary education journey and for the long term.”

– Marilyn Barrett, Director of Distributed Medical Education and Family Medicine, UPEI, and Co-Chair, Choose Well Community Action Network

“MADD Canada congratulates the Government of Prince Edward Island for developing the Provincial Alcohol Strategy which focuses on community safety, including the risks of impaired driving which continues to be a public safety risk in the province. Proactive and high-profile enforcement are key to addressing impaired driving. We encourage the PEI government to work with law enforcement to empower police to remove more impaired drivers from the road, including using existing tools like Mandatory Alcohol Screening and considering new programs like Immediate Roadside Prohibition. We look forward to the implementation of the program and working with the Government to enhance road safety.”

-Brenda Simmons, a MADD Canada member

To support implementation and accountability, government is establishing an interdepartmental committee led by Health and Wellness and including the departments of Finance and Affordability, Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, and Justice and Public Safety, with the Choose Well Community Action Network serving in an advisory role. This collaborative structure will support coordinated action across government, alignment with community partners, and sustained progress in reducing alcohol related harms in PEI.

Read the Provincial Alcohol Strategy on the government website.

Media contact
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca

Backgrounder

Healthy, safe communities are the foundation of a prosperous Prince Edward Island.

In fall 2024, the Government of Prince Edward Island committed to developing a Provincial Alcohol Strategy focused on prevention and public policy to improve health and well-being, enhance public safety, and reduce the social and economic impacts of alcohol use.

Alcohol is widely used in Prince Edward Island, with about 76 per cent of residents aged 15 and older reporting use in the past year.
It is linked to several types of cancer (ie. breast, colorectal) and heart disease, and contributes to 7,000 emergency department visits and 135 deaths annually in PEI.
One in three Grade 12 students in PEI reports binge drinking and high rates of impaired driving remain a concern.
In PEI, alcohol-related costs exceed $131 million annually (47 per cent of all substance use costs) and are $61 million higher than alcohol revenues, underscoring the need for action.

The strategy was developed by the Department of Health and Wellness in partnership with the Departments of Finance and Affordability; Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy; and Justice and Public Safety. It is based on research, engagement, and proven approaches adapted to PEI.

Actions fall under four priority areas:

Preventative service delivery
Healthy public policy
Public safety and enforcement
Public awareness

The strategy does not propose increasing alcohol sales taxes or reducing the number of PEI Liquor outlets.
The strategy is focused on “off-premise” outlets (PEI Liquor), where most alcohol is sold, rather than “on-premise” outlets like bars and restaurants.

It builds on existing initiatives, including Live Well PEI, the Less is Best campaign, and broader efforts in mental health and addictions, cancer prevention, and public safety.

The strategy was developed with input from more than 1,100 Islanders, community organizations, and partners over several years.

Learn more