Saskatchewan’s official opposition blocked an amended bill proposed by the provincial government on Monday that would allow municipalities to allow drinking in open public places, such as parks.
The NDP chose to block the Saskatchewan Party’s amendment on Tuesday, saying more consultations were needed.
Prior to the NDP, Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said it was important to note that these talks were “just the first step.”
Clark said there could potentially be many safety concerns that come from the public, which believes the regulations will be “wide open” and “will be drunk everywhere in the parks.”
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says there may be positive results in allowing drinking in open public places, but that talks on the proposed amendment are “only the first step”. (CBC News)
However, he said this could be a positive change for the province, as there are people who see drinking in the parks as a pleasant way to reunite with family and friends.
Prince Albert Mayor opposes the idea
Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dion said he was shocked to hear about the amendment proposed by the province.
“We have more important things to do than keep adding places where people can drink,” he said.
“We have a big problem with addictions and the homeless in our province, and some of them are driven by alcohol and we continue to make it more accessible.”
Are we so thirsty and so desperate for a drink to drink in public parks?
Dion said that although he would not personally support the proposal, Prince Albert’s city council would discuss drinking in the parks immediately.
On Monday, Saskatchewan’s NDP said it would not allow the bill to be passed immediately, saying the province needs to do more to tackle the province’s dependencies.
It also says the government should contact other jurisdictions with similar policies, such as Edmonton, to see what worked for them and what didn’t.
Regina resident Sarah Morland-Peter said she did not think modeling solutions in other cities were the right way to go.
“I don’t think we should base what we do on other provinces and look at our own province, but if it works in other provinces, that’s something that can be considered,” she said.
Sarah Morland-Peter says that people who decide to drink in parks, if they are allowed to in the future, should keep in mind how much they consume. (CBC News)
Morland-Peter said he believes adopting a bylaw that allows drinking in parks can be done safely, as long as it does not prevent those in the park who choose not to drink.
“I always want to take into account the sobriety of other people, I can’t necessarily control who is here in the park, but I can control how I influence others and I don’t want to negatively influence anyone.
She believes there should be curfew for parks when drinking, and during events like Canada Day, drinking should not happen at all.
She said that if the opportunity to drink in the park was available, she would probably eat, but never overdo it.
“It’s social, people gather around beer or drink, I think some of the downsides are that people can go too far,” she said. “They get drunk, they get messy, it becomes a headache for the police or just to keep it under control.”
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