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A provincial proposal to allow people to bring their own alcohol to certain outdoor events is drawing mixed reaction from Ottawa residents and festival organizers.
Under the new regulations, set to take effect April 30, community and cultural events ranging from farmers’ markets to multi-day music festivals will be able to apply for a municipal permit allowing attendees to bring their own alcohol.
Ottawa’s bylaws currently prohibit drinking in public places, although a pilot project has exempted eight municipal parks, and the city’s community service committee will soon review Ottawa’s public drinking policy.
If the city loosens its rules, the province said it would then need to “establish a local process” regarding the new permits.
Tara Shannon is executive director of Ottawa Festival Network. She says she understands the appeal of the province’s ‘bring-your-own’ alcohol plan, but notes the festivals that rely on alcohol sales won’t want to participate. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)Festival sector cautious
Tara Shannon, executive director of the Ottawa Festival Network, which represents more than 170 events in the National Capital Region, said the province’s announcement on Tuesday raises questions.
“We’re still very early in figuring out what the details actually mean,” she said, noting that whether festivals can opt in will ultimately be up to the city.
She said alcohol sales are a key revenue stream for local festivals, a sector that generates roughly $350 million a year and supports about 30,000 jobs.
“To bring something to the table that could potentially be detrimental to that is a little bit alarming,” Shannon said, adding that the local festival economy is already “very vulnerable.”
She said the idea also raises concerns about safety and liability at events where people are allowed to bring their own booze.
“We do have Smart Serve for a reason,” she said, referring to the provincial program that trains people in the responsible sale, service and delivery of alcohol.
Nevertheless, she agreed the idea will have popular appeal.
“I get the romanticism of it,” Shannon said. “Wouldn’t it be nice to just grab a bottle of wine and go to the park and listen to live music?
Maple Williams says she sees the potential benefits of the province’s ‘bring-your-own’ alcohol plan, so long as there’s appropriate oversight at the events. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)Pros and cons
Ottawans asked about the province’s bring-your-own alcohol proposal had mixed reactions.
“I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Steven Rankin. “They probably sell it on site, so that should be good enough.”
Maple Williams supports the idea, but said event organizers must bear the responsibility of monitoring attendees.
“I don’t see that there’s a problem at all,” she said. “If you’re organizing a big event, there are big responsibilities with that.”
Nathan Piggott said allowing festivalgoers to bring their own will make those events more affordable.
“The price point of really enjoying yourself at a festival is definitely too steep,” he said. “It’ll definitely bring more of a crowd.”
The city said it’s reviewing the province’s proposal “to understand how it may affect events held on City property, including in parks.”