JASON SETNYK
Cornwall council has received a staff report outlining Ontario’s new “bring your own alcohol” rules for outdoor public events, but no changes to local event practices or alcohol permissions are being made for now.
The report, presented at council’s April 27 meeting, reviewed provincial regulatory changes taking effect April 30 under Ontario Regulation 747/21 of the Liquor Licence and Control Act. The framework replaces the former “tailgate” event model and could allow people 19 and older to bring their own alcohol to approved outdoor public events, including farmers’ markets, outdoor movie screenings, art exhibits, community festivals, and cultural events.
However, staff and councillors stressed that the change does not automatically allow alcohol in municipal parks.
Coun. Denis Sabourin said there has already been confusion about what the province announced.
“I was astounded as to how this announcement has been misconstrued, that it’s whatever event you want,” Sabourin said. “It’s now bring your Yetis, load them up, and you’re going to be fine.”
Sabourin said Cornwall’s parks remain subject to municipal rules. Existing events with beer gardens already operate under specific criteria, while the new framework would require further municipal decisions before any BYOB event could be considered.
“There should be a public awareness right now that we do have bylaws in place, that it’s not bring your own and have a good time, wide-open season,” he said. “Guindon Park and Lamoureux Park are not provincial parks. They’re municipal parks, and that means they fall under municipal guidelines.”
Under the provincial framework, municipalities must have a bylaw authorizing alcohol use in public spaces and a process to decide whether an event qualifies as a cultural or community event. Only after municipal authorization and designation are in place could an organizer apply to the AGCO for a permit.
The staff report said the framework may provide more flexibility for outdoor events and reduce costs for some organizers by limiting the need for alcohol sales infrastructure, staffing, and service areas. It may also support tourism and encourage longer stays at festivals, markets, and community celebrations.
Staff identified concerns, including public safety, enforcement, risk management, insurance, and the family-friendly use of parks. Recreation, Culture and Tourism staff noted that parks, which are generally alcohol-free environments, could temporarily become licensed public spaces during approved events, requiring clearer site planning, controlled areas, and safety measures.
Deputy CAO and Fire Chief Matthew Stephenson said staff brought the report forward to raise awareness and make clear that the City still has decisions to make.
“This announcement isn’t, ‘We’ve removed all barriers and you can now bring alcohol to our parks,'” Stephenson said. “It is reliant on staff bringing something to council and council making that decision through bylaw.” Stephenson said staff is reviewing how Cornwall could manage the legislation, including input from police, insurance, liability, parks and recreation perspectives.
The Cornwall Police Service section of the report identified risks at open public events, including crowd management, access control, alcohol-related disorder, impaired operation of vehicles or motorized bicycles, and the presence of minors in family-oriented settings.
The City’s insurance review noted that BYOB events may increase municipal exposure because alcohol would be brought and consumed by attendees rather than served by a licensed provider. Safeguards would be needed to address over-consumption, impaired behaviour and possible gaps in event insurance.
Coun. Dean Hollingsworth supported further review, saying the City should avoid moving too quickly. “Once bylaws are passed, they’re trickier to repeal depending on how the public feels about them,” Hollingsworth said. “Whatever time it takes to do it right, I think it’s worth investigating.”
Stephenson said staff also want to hear from service clubs and community groups, some of which rely on beer gardens or alcohol sales as fundraising tools at local events. Staff hopes to report back before summer, likely in June.
Council voted to receive the report for information and consideration. In the interim, no changes to current events or alcohol permissions are proposed.
L’article Cornwall weighs in on alcohol rules for public events est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
