Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: What Canada is doing
On this page
- What Canada is doing
- The FASD National Strategic Projects Fund
- FASD Data and Surveillance
- Supporting Healthy Pregnancies
- Preventing Substance-Related Harms
What Canada is Doing
Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and its impacts includes partners from across Canada and across various jurisdictions and sectors of society.
Here are a few examples of Government of Canada initiatives that are helping to address Fetal Alcohol from an upstream prevention approach.
The FASD National Strategic Projects Fund
The FASD National Strategic Projects Fund provides time-limited funding to collaborate with key partners and stakeholders across Canada to develop nationally applicable tools, resources and knowledge that can be used to address FASD.
This includes projects focused on:
- prevention and education
- capacity building
- knowledge development and exchange
- coordination and collaboration
Projects currently funded through the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder National Strategic Projects Fund
| Project | Location | Project duration | Contribution agreement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | Title | Description | City, Province | Total ($) | |
| Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network (CanFASD) | Building FASD Capacity and Knowledge for Frontline Children's Program Workers: An Online Training Pilot | The objective of this project is to design and pilot an online FASD training course tailored to the needs identified by Community Action Program for Children and Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program workers. The training will promote capacity building and increase FASD knowledge and skills of frontline program staff supporting children and families in vulnerable situations dealing with challenges related to FASD. | National | 2024-2026 | $178,752 |
| Canadian Academy of Health Sciences | Assessment on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Canada | The CAHS will undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment on FASD. The assessment will include a review of the relevant data, literature, policies, programs and practices, and will include engagement with key partners to identify challenges as well as opportunities to strengthen Canada’s approach to addressing FASD. | National | 2023-2025 | $949,287 |
| Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Newfoundland and Labrador Network (fasdNL) | Toward Prevention: An Atlantic FASD awareness and collaborative action-building initiative | An Atlantic Canada project to develop messaging and resources for the general public, as well as for health and allied health professionals; deliver virtual FASD training sessions for justice professionals; and increase collaborative action and networking amongst diverse stakeholders related to FASD prevention, awareness, and capacity building. | Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island | 2021–2026 | $478,408 |
FASD Data and Surveillance
Public health surveillance is a core function of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Through surveillance, health data are collected and analyzed to better understand public health issues, including FASD. These data can inform prevention strategies and healthcare planning.
This publication has the latest information and statistics on FASD in Canada:
Supporting Healthy Pregnancies
The Public Health Agency of Canada promotes healthy pregnancies, including FASD awareness and prevention, through other supportive maternal and child health initiatives. This includes:
- supporting evidence-based policy and guidance for health practitioners and the general public
- funding community-based programming to support Canadian children and families facing health equity barriers
- reporting on various indicators related to maternal, fetal and infant health, including alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- funding data collections, such as the Parental Experiences Survey, which include questions on alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Preventing Substance-Related Harms
The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) is the Government of Canada’s approach to address substance use related harms and the overdose crisis. The goal of the CDSS is to improve the health and safety of all Canadians by minimizing substance-related harms for individuals, families, and communities. It is an all-substances, public health and public safety strategy that covers a broad range of legal and illegal substances, such as tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, opioids and stimulants. It has four guiding principles: equity, compassion, comprehensiveness and collaboration. The CDSS has four integrated priority areas for action called foundational elements, including: prevention and education; substance use services and supports (harm reduction, treatment and recovery); evidence; and, substance controls.
Under the CDSS foundational element of prevention and education and substance use services and supports, the Government of Canada supports various community-based approaches to prevent substance use related harms, including those from alcohol, through programs such as:
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