Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines 

For the first time ever, Canada has one national set of low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines, with the support of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers, as well as many respected Canadian organizations.

 View the guidelines

These guidelines, intended for Canadians of legal drinking age who choose to drink alcohol, are informed by the most recent and best available scientific research and evidence. They are intended to provide consistent information across the country to help Canadians moderate their alcohol consumption and reduce their immediate and long-term alcohol-related harm.

If all Canadian drinkers were drinking alcohol within the proposed guidelines, it is estimated that alcohol-related deaths would be reduced by approximately 4,600 per year.*

* Source:  Alcohol and Health in Canada: A Summary of Evidence and Guidelines for Low-Risk Drinking

Who developed these guidelines?
Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines were developed by a team of independent Canadian and international experts, on behalf of the National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee (NASAC). The guidelines are a key component of the  National Alcohol Strategy.

On November 25, 2011, Federal, Provincial and Territorial Health Ministers received Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines as the best available advice to Canadians for low-risk drinking, and will promote the use of the Guidelines within their jurisdictions as appropriate. 

Supporters of the Guidelines
Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines have received the support of many respected national and regional Canadian organizations, including: