There are so many good things in B.C.’s new liquor law, which took effect at the beginning of the summer.
Many of the changes in the province’s liquor law would be met with open arms by many across the country, including Alberta and including right here in Cochrane, where an easing of the stranglehold on serving and consuming alcoholic beverages in public and private spaces would mean higher attendance at public events.
B.C. has made several changes to its laws (some already implemented, others in the works), including:
- Selling alcohol in grocery stores;
- Happy hour pricing;
- Minors permitted in pubs accompanied by an adult;
- Beer and wine being offered at farmer’s markets;
- Hotel guests being allowed to carry alcoholic beverages more freely, including from an on-site bar to their room.
For Cochrane, some of the changes to how alcohol will be permitted at community festivals and entertainment events would be significant.
These changes include:
- The removal of beer garden fencing, permitting attendees to roam freely with beer, wine or a cooler;
- Allowing homemade beer or wine (U-brew) to be offered to patrons.
If Alberta were to adopt similar liquor laws as B.C. and event organizers in Cochrane loosened their own belt when it comes to what they offer at the event, surely there would be a rise in attendance at many events.
Is it a bad idea to serve alcohol at public events?
Cochrane event organizers often love to place the ‘family event’ label on their respective festivities in an effort to entice moms and dads to bring their little rugrats out to enjoy some wholesome fun.
But if the rules were properly enforced at these events, one would think it would only be a good thing for those of all ages. Do events like the Labour Day Rodeo, which does serve alcohol during its three-day span, run into alcohol-related issues?
Permitting open alcohol in a public space is a debate that has raged worldwide for decades.
In Canada, the province of Quebec is the only place where people can go to a park and consume an alcoholic beverage with a meal. If you were to try this anywhere else in the country, you would get a fine and have your drink confiscated.
Why there is such distaste for having a beer or wine in public can be confusing to some and crystal clear to others.
In countries like Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland, England and Wales, drinking alcohol in public is legal…and why not?
If law enforcement has the power to stop someone from drinking in public (someone who may be highly intoxicated), and detain them if they refuse, what is the difference between that and someone vacating a bar or private home highly intoxicated?
The same goes for local events. In the end, people need to follow the law – meaning, just like when they are in a licensed drinking establishment, they have to adhere to the rules and not cause a public disturbance.
Does B.C.’s new liquor laws have it right? Is it silly to force a parent, other family member or friend to sit in a beer garden when they could be walking around with their family, causing no harm to anyone whatsoever?
What about allowing children into a pub with their parents, who may want to go out for lunch and have a pint of ale with their burger? Just because children are allowed into a pub doesn’t mean they are going to drink a beer. Is it immoral to go out for lunch with your two year old and drink a beer in front of them, while they have to settle for orange or apple juice? Does it not make more sense to buy a bottle of wine at the same place you get your groceries instead of forcing people to walk into a separate building? What does this ‘symbolic’ separation even accomplish?
Canada, and many other countries, should take a look at its liquor laws and ask itself if the enforcement of those laws results in a safer, more civilized social structure, or if they are simply shrapnel of a time long past when alcohol was viewed much differently.
There will always be those who are negatively affected by alcohol, either directly or indirectly. Though these circumstances are unfortunate, no law would be able to bring an end to this reality.
The role of the government should be to make the most sensible decision possible, and so far, it appears that B.C. has been trying to do just that.
