Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre likely won’t be adopting relaxed rules governing alcohol consumption in public places any time soon.
A report from the Community Services Advisory Council went before council at its September 2nd meeting that expresses concern with a number of areas relating to BYOB provisions announced by Province.
In April, the Province expanded BYOB permits for outdoor events. It’s designed to allow for people who attend events to bring their own alcohol for consumption in designated areas. However, participation requires Ontario municipalities to formally opt-in through the passage of a bylaw to update their municipal alcohol policy.
The report to Middlesex Centre council was for information only, and didn’t require council to act. Nonetheless, the Community Services Advisory Council, or CSAC, cited concerns with any move to change the status quo. The concerns included public safety and risk management, or the question of who would be monitoring drinking and managing impaired behaviour. Another concern relates to insurance and liability. And a third area is event operations. The worry there relates to an increase in operational costs such as security.
The CSAC report states: “The overall result is that BYOB events do not align with the current Municipal Alcohol Policy, community standards or public health guidance/recommendations from the MLHU.”
The Middlesex London Health Unit issued a statement in March outlining its position that “...increased availability and access to alcohol normalizes use among young people and contributes to elevated levels of drinking and harm, ultimately impacting community safety and wellbeing.”
“I never sensed there was any demand for this from the residents of Middlesex Centre,” said Ward 5 councillor Frank Berze when the Advisory Council report came up for discussion. “I think that’s a big driver,” added Berze.
