Toronto councillors set to debate park drinking rules again
Global News
A motion tabled by Coun. Josh Matlow proposes a pilot through the summer of 2022 that would allow people to drink in Toronto public parks and beaches with toilet facilities.
Councilllors in Toronto will once again consider whether or not to lift the city’s ban on outdoor drinking during a council meeting this week.
A motion tabled by Coun. Josh Matlow proposes a pilot through the summer of 2022 that would allow people to drink in Toronto public parks and beaches with toilet facilities between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
If passed, the pilot would run from May 21 to Oct. 31, 2022.
“I just think it’s ridiculous that in today’s day and age that Toronto — unlike most of the world — still restricts responsible adults from doing something like having a drink together while having a picnic,” Matlow told Global News.
Outdoor drinking is allowed in European cities like Berlin and London.
Matlow’s motion specifies that drinks allowed in parks should be 15 per cent ABV or less, meaning even if the motion passed, liquor in parks would still be banned.
The motion also calls for more garbage and recycling bins to be added to parks and beaches in the city.
A similar motion failed to gain council support in April last year. Coun. James Pasternak called it a “terrible” idea at the time and city staff — including Toronto’s medical officer of health — were reluctant.