Pandemic delays city decision on alcohol consumption in parks

Edmontonians keen on cracking open a cold one in their local park will have to wait a little longer for an impending decision by city councillors on loosening liquor laws.

While liquor consumption in city parks may have been on the radar for residents this summer, considerations expected from the city this spring on potential rule changes have been delayed indefinitely as it responds to the COVID -19 pandemic.

“The report needs to go before committee and potentially council for discussion first before any changes can be entertained,” city spokeswoman Debi Winwood said in an email to Postmedia on Friday. “From a municipal perspective, alcohol can only be consumed where permitted by the city and under a festival or event licence.”

Options from the city to loosen liquor rules in public spaces have been delayed in facing council twice this year. A debate was first set for March, but an announcement from the province weeks earlier to further ease alcohol consumption rules pushed it later to give more time to draft the report.

Under Bill 2, the province intends to remove the requirement for food while drinking alcohol at a park picnic site. This bill has yet to pass through the legislature after receiving first reading in February.

Currently, municipalities can legalize drinking in public parks as long as it is in a designated picnic, during set hours and with food.

The cancellation of regular council and committee meetings through June 15 to allow the city to focus on COVID-19 response has again pushed the discussion, set for mid-april, without a new projected timeline.

Edmonton’s Youth Council pushed last June for the city to act on the regulations already allowed to permit designated alcohol zones in parks, but city councillors decided to hold off until the province released its specific plans to lessen restrictions.

Downtown Coun. Scott Mckeen said he is open to the idea of residents having a beer or a glass of wine with a picnic in their local park on a summer day, but is concerned it could get out of hand quickly with groups of 30 congregating for a party.

“I think we have to be really careful that we don’t open it up too much. Personally, I think the rules we have now are fair,” he said. “Public parks, to me, are not hospitality or party places.”

Back in 2018, the city doled out 21 tickets for illegal public liquor consumption.