City puts a cork in park booze

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This article was published 08/08/2023 (1027 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While some Canadian cities and provinces are relaxing rules to allow people to drink booze in public parks or picnic areas, there doesn’t appear to be the same thirst for change in Winnipeg.

Several city councillors indicated they are opposed or cool to the idea, after Toronto began a two-month pilot project Aug. 2 that permits drinking in 27 of its parks.

“Fundamentally opposed,” deputy mayor Coun. Janice Lukes told the Free Press. “We have enough nefarious activities going on in this city without adding fuel to the fire in parks. This would add more issues for enforcement officers to deal with.”

Provincial legislation would have to be amended to allow people to drink alcohol in a park, be it in a grassy area or a designated spot.

The Progressive Conservative government hasn’t expressed an interest in changing the regulations.

“Our party will release more of our platform as we get closer to the election,” a party spokesperson said in an emailed statement Friday.

Toronto’s two-month pilot project prohibits people from drinking alcohol within two metres of playgrounds and wading pools, or within the gates of an outdoor swimming pool.

In May, Saskatchewan amended rules to give municipalities the authority to allow drinking in public parks. Regina’s city council will vote Aug. 16 on whether to permit it.

Drinking is allowed in designated park areas, including picnic sites, in Calgary and Edmonton. People in Vancouver can enjoy a beverage in dozens of parks in Vancouver.

The idea got a little bit of attention in the Winnipeg mayoral election last year, when candidate Rick Shone, who placed eighth, pledged a summer pilot project for five parks, but only if the province was on board.

Several council members are concerned such drinking could create new problems or exacerbate existing ones in the city, or ruin the park experience for families and other visitors.

Some said too many people are struggling with addictions.

“Right now, we live in a city and a community that does not have a healthy relationship with substances,” said Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona). “Until we get a better handle on what I call the urban health crisis in the city, I think it’s premature.”

Almost all doubted the City of Winnipeg would have enough bylaw officers to monitor and enforce the rules, or the cash to hire more, when budgets are already squeezed.

“It’s not something I’m prepared to champion at this point,” said Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), who chairs the community services committee, which oversees parks.

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) was concerned it could be an “invitation to drink and drive.”

Winnipeg Police Board chairman Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) said the city has a lot on its plate when it comes to the use of illegal drugs in public.

“Adding the potential increase of public intoxication would be irresponsible right now,” he wrote in an email.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) said he is opposed to the “free for all” that is being piloted in Toronto. Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said it’s not a top priority for her.

Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) wants council to focus on other efforts to make the city “lively,” including temporary patios at restaurants.

For Coun. Shawn Dobson (St. James), the disadvantages would outweigh the advantages.

“I further believe a public park represents healthy recreation for the whole family, and alcohol has no part in healthy recreation,” he wrote in an email.

Mayor Scott Gillingham’s spokesman, Colin Fast, said it’s not an issue the mayor’s office is hearing much about.

“We’re interested in seeing how the experience goes in other cities,” Fast wrote in an email.

Manitoba’s NDP is also monitoring Toronto’s pilot project and Regina’s situation, a spokeswoman said.

In April, the NDP blocked the Tory government’s attempt to expand private liquor sales to grocery and convenience stores.

If drinking in parks is ever permitted, the responsibility should stay with and be regulated by the province, rather than municipalities, said Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont.

Members of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities have not identified the issue as a priority, said spokesman Nick Krawetz.

The Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police has not taken an official position on the matter.

“That said, we are not opposed to the concept, should the laws change to provide for it,” MACP president Rob Hill said in a statement. Hill is the assistant commissioner of Manitoba RCMP.

The concept received mixed reviews from visitors to Assiniboine Park on Aug. 2. The park is operated by a non-profit organization.

Casey Forzley, who was enjoying a beer at the park’s licensed patio, Cargo Bar, welcomed the thought of having a beer with pals while sitting on a blanket in the grass.

“Why not?” he said.

Taylor Shankaruk and Kianna Dowd, who were with their children, said they likely would take advantage of such an opnion while visiting with fellow adults.

For family visits, however, they said they would consider avoiding parks or park areas where drinking was too common or widespread.

George Jasen said Manitoba should stick with the status quo in parks.

“I like the way it is right now, with segregated drinking areas,” he said, referring to Cargo Bar, which is separated from the rest of the park by a fence. “Parks like this are family areas.”

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching