To start the summer, residents in the two biggest cities of Saskatchewan will continue to be prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages in public parks..The Sask Party government updated the province’s liquor laws by granting municipalities the power to determine whether or not to permit drinking alcohol in public parks..READ MORE Saskatchewan to modernize its liquor laws, allow drinking in parks.The bill is currently in effect, but there needs to be more enthusiasm for the change in Saskatoon before the city would consider it..Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark mentioned in early May that there is no significant demand or strong desire to implement the new policy..“City council had originally sent a letter during COVID because there were other municipalities that were creating ways for people to gather more safely outdoors and in pilot projects around having alcohol in parks,” said Clark..“Since then, obviously, we don’t need to find those same creative ways to do that.” .Clark acknowledged that the city council had received feedback from residents expressing concerns about addiction and the impact of alcohol on the community. .Clark questioned whether it was the right time for the city to introduce a policy encouraging more people to consume alcohol in public spaces..Currently, Clark stated that the decision to introduce a proposal regarding the drinking of alcohol in public parks lies with a council member who would need to bring it forward and gain support. .However, Clark mentioned that he had yet to receive any information from any council member about their intention to introduce a proposal for drinking in public parks..In Regina, Mayor Sandra Masters mentioned that the city council would receive a report from the administration regarding allowing alcohol in public parks..“It’s actually quite successful in some cities and so we’re looking at best practices,” said Masters..However, implementing the new policy could be complex in Regina due to the involvement of the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC), which controls Wascana Park in the centre of the city..Masters explained that the PCC is not yet prepared to proceed with the proposed changes and anticipates that a final decision may not be reached until August.
