The Saskatchewan government introduced amendments that would allow municipalities and park authorities the ability to permit alcohol consumption in outdoor public spaces, such as parks and beaches..The Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) Jim Reiter introduced the amendments so residents can safely enjoy alcohol..“Through these amendments, municipalities have the option to allow the consumption of alcohol in their parks, ensuring that residents are able to enjoy their parks in a safe and responsible way,” said Reiter..Every municipality and park authority can make its own decisions about where to designate areas for residents to consume alcohol responsibly. .A reporter in the media scrum asked NDP Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer whether the NDP would support the amendments..“We’re not supportive of consent without consultation,” said Sarauer. .“If the government wanted to do this sooner … we think it is important to have that discussion and consultation, which is why we want to see this go through its regular process.”.Sarauer was asked about the arguments against passing the amendments..“Well, we’re in an addictions crisis in Saskatchewan. So, we need to keep that in light of this dialogue we are having. Some of the folks who have expressed their concerns about this legislation wonder what it says when we do have some serious issues around addictions in Saskatchewan,” said Sarauer..The Western Standard asked Sarauer why allow a small group of people suffering from alcohol addiction to stop the vast majority of people from enjoying a beer in a public park who are not addicts?.“It’s simply about consultation. Like this government, if they really wanted to pass this legislation could have put it forward weeks ago,” said Sarauer..“There’s no reason why they had to choose the last week of the session to put this forward except to change the channel of what was a really bad session for them.”.According to Sarauer, the NDP plans to vote against this legislation when the government brings the amendments up for a vote..Because this is the last week of the session, any bill introduced must be passed unanimously. .Private events where alcohol is sold or being served, such as a wedding, still require a SLGA liquor licence.
The Saskatchewan government introduced amendments that would allow municipalities and park authorities the ability to permit alcohol consumption in outdoor public spaces, such as parks and beaches..The Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) Jim Reiter introduced the amendments so residents can safely enjoy alcohol..“Through these amendments, municipalities have the option to allow the consumption of alcohol in their parks, ensuring that residents are able to enjoy their parks in a safe and responsible way,” said Reiter..Every municipality and park authority can make its own decisions about where to designate areas for residents to consume alcohol responsibly. .A reporter in the media scrum asked NDP Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer whether the NDP would support the amendments..“We’re not supportive of consent without consultation,” said Sarauer. .“If the government wanted to do this sooner … we think it is important to have that discussion and consultation, which is why we want to see this go through its regular process.”.Sarauer was asked about the arguments against passing the amendments..“Well, we’re in an addictions crisis in Saskatchewan. So, we need to keep that in light of this dialogue we are having. Some of the folks who have expressed their concerns about this legislation wonder what it says when we do have some serious issues around addictions in Saskatchewan,” said Sarauer..The Western Standard asked Sarauer why allow a small group of people suffering from alcohol addiction to stop the vast majority of people from enjoying a beer in a public park who are not addicts?.“It’s simply about consultation. Like this government, if they really wanted to pass this legislation could have put it forward weeks ago,” said Sarauer..“There’s no reason why they had to choose the last week of the session to put this forward except to change the channel of what was a really bad session for them.”.According to Sarauer, the NDP plans to vote against this legislation when the government brings the amendments up for a vote..Because this is the last week of the session, any bill introduced must be passed unanimously. .Private events where alcohol is sold or being served, such as a wedding, still require a SLGA liquor licence.
