Legal drinking in P.E.I. parks an idea that's unlikely to be uncorked anytime soon

This story is from this week's episode of Good Question, P.E.I., a new CBC podcast. You can listen here.

Good Question, P.E.I. is available on CBC's Listen app, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Picture this: You're enjoying a sunny summer afternoon in one of P.E.I.'s many parks, sitting on a blanket with your friend.

It's hot; your mouth is dry.

You really want a cold beer or cooler.

Sorry, no can do — at least, not legally.

Why exactly this is the case on the Island, as several other provinces open up to permitted drinking, is the subject of the latest episode of our local CBC podcast, Good Question, P.E.I.

Several other Canadian cities have already explored the idea of regulated drinking in public places, including Toronto, Vancouver, Regina and Montreal.

And during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants were closed to indoor dining, delivering meals — and yes, alcohol too — to parks and other outdoor spaces seemed to many Islanders like an acceptable idea.

Even the mayor of Charlottetown, and the minister responsible for the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission, appeared open to the idea at the time.

But four years later, there's still no wine allowed in our picnic baskets, nor beer in our backpacks. 

Legalizing drinking in public parks is simply not a priority right now, officials say.

A P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission spokesperson explained any such change couldn't happen overnight, nor is it as simple as just drafting legislation to let people drink in public spaces.

The agency's director of corporate affairs and regulatory services, Heather Rossiter, said it would also require consultations between local officials, the province, and the public.