Why organize the Summit? 

In January 2023, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) updated Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, lowering the “low-risk” threshold to two standard drinks per week for the population as a whole, based on the principle that there is no level of alcohol consumption that is completely risk-free. 

This shift stands in stark contrast to the 2011 guidelines (up to 10 drinks per week for women and 15 for men), as well as to more permissive positions adopted elsewhere in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO), for its part, follows the principle that no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free. Against this backdrop, the Summit seeks to foster informed dialogue about these changes and support clear, nuanced public communication adapted to the Quebec context. 

The Quebec Summit on Alcohol and Health, the first of its kind organized by Éduc’alcool, will take place in Montreal on November 13, 2026. It aims to create a space for dialogue among experts, decision-makers, professionals and members of the public on recommendations around alcohol consumption and how they are communicated to the public. 

The day’s program is designed to encourage learning and discussion around alcohol and health. In the morning, experts will explore the theme “Alcohol Consumption Guidelines and the Question of Low Risk.” In the afternoon, four structured thematic discussions will provide an opportunity to examine key findings, barriers and opportunities, as well as recommendations for promoting responsible approaches to alcohol in student, event and hospitality settings. A final workshop will focus on how to communicate and explain scientific research to the public. 

Preliminary schedule 

Time	Activity
8:00	Registration and welcome Healthy breakfast available in the welcome area
8:50	Opening of the day
9:00	Welcome remarks	Josée Côté, M.A., Adm.A.: Executive Director, Éduc’alcool  Yvan Gendron, MAP, ASC: Chairman, Éduc’alcool
9:10	Remarks by the guest of honour
9:25	Presentation by	Dr. Denis Soulières  Scientific and Medical Spokesperson, Canadian Cancer Society
10:10	Panel discussion  “Alcohol Consumption Guidelines and the Question of Low Risk”	Guest experts:  Adam Sherk, PhD, Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA); Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria   Jean-Sébastien Fallu, PhD, Full Professor, School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal; Editor-in-Chief, Drogues, santé et société    Joël Tremblay, Ph. D.: Senior Researcher, IUD; Full Professor, Department of Psychoeducation, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières   Moderator: Christine Stich, PhD, Scientific Advisor, Éduc’alcool
11:50	Intro to mocktails workshop
12:20	Lunch provided
1:40	Workshop 1: Alcohol in student settings (tools, best practices)  Health promotion, prevention, intervention, harm reduction, etc.   Workshop 2: Responsibility around alcohol in the hospitality sector  From communication to practice: changing practices in the hospitality sector   Workshop 3: From science to communication  Explaining the facts and having an impact   Workshop 4: Responsibility around alcohol at events  How to organize responsible events	Workshop facilitators:  Anne-Elizabeth Lapointe: Executive Director, Maison Jean Lapointe · Workshop 1 Cassandre Boisselle-Pitre, BBA: Master’s student in International Economics, HEC Montréal; Co-founder, HEC 360  · Workshop 1   Ariane Bélanger-Gravel, Ph.D.: Full Professor, Department of Information and Communication; Regular Researcher, NUTRISS-INAF Research Centre, Université Laval · Workshop 3 Jean-Sébastien Fallu, PhD, Full Professor, School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal; Editor-in-Chief, Drogues, santé et société · Workshop 3 Maritchou Plamondon: President and CEO of OPC ÉVÉNEMENTS, and Joannie Langevin: Director of Development and Outreach at OPC ÉVÉNEMENT · Workshop 4
3:20	Networking and wellness break
3:40	Plenary session and synthesis of workshop takeaways
4:40	Closing remarks

Why Attend the Summit?

Tickets 

Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 4, 2026 

Cancellation and refund policy 

All payments are final. No refunds will be issued in the event of cancellation, but tickets may be transferred to another person at no additional cost. To cancel or transfer a ticket, please email us at [email protected] by November 6. 

For any ticket cancellation or transfer, please contact [email protected]. 

Getting to Centre Mont-Royal 

Suggested accommodation