Saskatoon residents mixed on drinking in parks

Saskatoon city council which lobbied the province early in the pandemicto allow people to drinkalcohol in some public spaces now has the power to allow it, but the mayor says it isn't a priority.

Last week, the Saskatchewan government amended regulations to allow municipalities to permit alcohol consumption in parks. It'snow up to municipalities all over the province to decide whether to do so.

Saskatoon residents using public parks on Monday had mixed reactions to the possible change. Some wanted to see the city do it, while others were hesitant.

Brooke Walker said some people are already drinking in parks, so making it legal would allow more responsible people to do it as well.

"By making it legal you're just allowing other people to enjoy it at a barbecue or handle it responsibly," Brooke Walker said.

Hari Patel said it shouldn't be allowed for safety reasons.

"If people are drinking in public places and maybe getting violent and harming other people, that is not good for them and others," Hari Patel said.

Joham Moremo wants the city to try it out and see how it goes.

"I don't see a problem with that if we're handling it responsibly. You're just allowing it to be legal. Iguess it's worth seeing what happens, if it's going to become an issue then get rid of it," Joham Moremo said.

WATCH|Public park drinking no longer a priority for municipalities:

Public park drinking no longer a priority for municipalities

2 years ago

Duration 2:24

A pandemic push to allow drinking of alcohol in outdoor public places has lost momentum.

Mayor Charlie Clark released a statement Monday saying that a lot has changed since the city made the request early in the pandemic.

"It will be up to council to decide whether to take further steps.We have heard concerns brought forward and at this point, I don't anticipate this will be seen as a priority for council."

City administrationis preparing a report for council on the topic.

Regina also non-committal

Meanwhile, the City of Regina is also exploring the potential consequences of the bylaw and seeing what other cities are doing.

"I wont get ahead of council on this, nor offer my personal opinion. I think that will be up to council in terms of where and if we do accommodate alcohol consumption in our city parks," Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said.

The province introduced the amendment last spring, but it needed unanimous support to pass at the time. The Opposition NDP said the government was rushing the change, and wanted to speak to municipalities and police before offering support. Without the NDP's support, the government could not fast-track the bill.

The bill was re-introduced in December, and last week it received royal assent after gaining support from both government and Opposition MLAs.

Even though the provincial government has amended the law, drinking is not permitted until it is approved by the local government.