Alcohol and cannabis consumption changing during pandemic: Stats Canada

Mar 4, 2021 | 12:00 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Canadians have been finding new ways of trying to cope with the ever-changing global landscape since the COVID-19 pandemic started one year ago.

A new survey conducted by Stats Canada in January 2021 shows that 24 per cent of Canadians had increased their alcohol consumption while 22 per cent drank less.

Cannabis consumption, on the other hand, did increase overall. 34 per cent said they smoked more while just 12 per cent consumed less.

At the provincial level, Ontario has the largest jump in alcohol consumption with 30 per cent of respondents giving that answer, following by 27 per cent of those in the prairie provinces.

For the reasons why people chose to drink more, the most common answers were boredom (60.4 per cent), stress (57.5 per cent), and convenience – such as lacking a regular schedule or being home more often (52.6 per cent).

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Similar responses were given for cannabis consumption with 64.5 per cent citing stress, 57.5 per cent being bored, and 38.9 per cent experiencing loneliness.

Between 2019 and 2020, Stats Canada reports that sales at cannabis stores shot up 120 per cent.

Last May, LNN spoke to local liquor and cannabis store operators, who noted a significant increase in sales.

Reasons for increased consumption of alcohol since before the COVID-19 pandemic. (Stats Canada)

Reasons for increased consumption of cannabis since before the COVID-19 pandemic. (Stats Canada)

by David Opinko