Way back in the 1960s, my parents immigrated to Canada from New York City. They drove to our new home of Edmonton in a Rambler, dragging a U-Haul stuffed with their meagre possessions. My brother and I were both under age 3, so you can imagine how they might have craved a drink after a road trip that long with kids so young.
When they hit the liquor store, they were surprised to find the bottles hidden from sight. For years, they joked about the day they had to fill out a form to order a bottle of Chianti. Even stranger, to their eyes, were the bifurcated bars, one for the rough-and-tumble men, the other for “ladies and escorts.” Alberta and B.C. in the 1960s had Social Credit governments, and conservative social values ruled.
Regulations governing alcohol consumption in both provinces have loosened considerably since then. Alcohol is now sold seven days a week in public, private and even grocery stores. Drinking is permitted on restaurant patios and in select areas at some festivals and events.
However, some of the old prohibitionist regulations linger. Bring your bevvies to a beach picnic and you risk a $230 fine and the loss of your bottle. When it comes to drinking in public, Canada still tends to follow the path set by the United States, where it is prohibited in all but a handful of cities.
This has George Affleck chafing. The outgoing Non-Partisan Association city councillor says it is time to lighten up and allow alcoholic beverages at beach and park picnics. “People are doing it already,” he says, including himself. Mr. Affleck admits to being an unabashed scofflaw. He says he broke the rules twice last weekend, and he was not alone.
Vancouverites have forever taken their chances and sneaked alcoholic drinks to beach picnics. Those ubiquitous plastic cups often hold more than lemonade. And for the most part, it works out fine, Mr. Affleck says. “We’ve shown maturity, that we can do this.”
No one wants parks and beaches to mirror the rowdy Granville strip at closing time. But police regularly patrol parks and beaches and, just like bouncers who keep bar patrons in line, are perfectly able to shut down drunks who get out of hand. So why not normalize things for the rest of the responsible adults who are already enjoying a glass of wine with an outdoor meal and sunset?
The Vancouver Park Board is undergoing a policy review and is considering, along with other changes, allowing alcohol sales at its 12 concession stands. Toronto is similarly toying with the idea of craft beer trucks in its parks. But many people would rather bring their own. Could we not instead follow the lead of Montreal, which takes a more European approach and allows alcohol consumption in parks provided it is accompanied with a meal. And no, a bag of chips doesn’t count.
By ruling out people who are just looking for a place to get smashed, which could ruin the park experience for everyone, and allowing responsible drinking with food, Montreal strikes a reasonable balance. It’s not unlike drinking at campsites, which is permitted at most provincial and national parks with some limits during long weekends.
It seems strange that at a time when Canada is legalizing recreational marijuana, the laws on drinking are so difficult to change. Smoking, be it cigarettes or marijuana, is also not allowed in city parks and on beaches, and for good reason. The thought of a discarded cigarette or joint starting a fire in Stanley Park, which is dry as kindling in August, is a risk too great to take.
Until the drinking laws loosen, we’ll all just keep breaking the rules. A neighbourhood friend started a lovely tradition of celebrating the winter solstice at an unnamed beach with a bonfire, snacks and bubbly. We build the fire below the tide line – and at that time of year it’s usually pouring rain with zero chance of fire. We huddle close for warmth and toast to the beginning of longer days. As we raise our plastic cups, we keep one eye out for police who might spoil the party. We haven’t been caught yet.