Midland proclaims Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day

Whereas, human service organizations, health care professionals, educators, justice workers and the public are called to action to work together to reduce the occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This can be done by increasing awareness and improving public efforts in the delivery of the preventive health message that individuals who are pregnant or who might become pregnant should abstain from drinking alcohol, and by collaborating to create environments that support this choice. In addition to these messages, we must increase awareness on how FASD may present in individuals across the lifespan and the ongoing need for services and support for individuals with FASD; and 

Whereas, as quoted in the CanFASD 2026 Awareness campaign #FASDMonth2026 “Everyone Plays a Part: Everyone in the community can play a role in supporting healthy pregnancies and people with FASD. Your actions, big or small, can help shape a more equitable future for those with living experience of FASD and for women and gender diverse individuals who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy”; and 

Whereas, there is no safe amount, no safe time, or no safe kind of alcohol that a pregnant individual can drink during pregnancy; and 

Whereas, the term “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” (FASD) describes the range of exceptionalities that may affect in an individual who was exposed to alcohol in utero/during pregnancy; and 

Whereas, prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects, such as physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning challenges; and 

Whereas, the exact number of people who have FASD is unknown, but in Canada it is estimated that 4 per cent of the population are born with effects of prenatal alcohol exposure annually; and 

Whereas, the estimated social and economic cost of FASD in Canada is $1.8 billion per year; and 

Whereas, more than 50 per cent of all pregnancies are unplanned when drinking may occur before the pregnancy is confirmed; and 

Whereas, people around the world began observing International FASD Awareness Day on September 9 each year beginning in 1999, in order that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy it is important to abstain from alcohol; and 

Whereas, the good health and well-being of the people of the Town Midland are enhanced by the support of a national effort to educate about and prevent FASD through the Simcoe County FASD Prevention Committee, part of the Simcoe County FASD Initiative. 

Now, Therefore, I, Mayor Bill Gordon, do hereby declare September 9, 2026, as “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day” in the Town Midland to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, to increase acceptance and support for those individuals so affected, to minimize further effects, and to ensure healthier communities in the future.