New signs killing city's park drinking bylaw buzz, Edmontonian says
Nearly two months after the launch of a city pilot project meant Edmontonians could legally enjoy an adult beverage in designated park sites, one Edmonton man is worried the move may have also created some unintended consequences.
On May 28, Ward 3 Coun. Jon Dziadyk celebrated the new city bylaw, that was created from his own motion, by taking a swig from a can of beer at Rundle Park.
"Cheers to summer, and a little bit of freedom," Dziadyk declared.
Now, thanks to the appearance of some new signs, that "freedom" seems to be in question.
“I think they feel a bit authoritarian," Sean Sedgwick told CTV News Edmonton while standing in Constable Ezio Faraone Park.
As part of the city's pilot project, large signs indicating that public alcohol consumption is not allowed have been setup in several Edmonton parks, including Ezio Faraone and Walterdale Hill.
"There's something about them that's sort of just unpleasant to be around, even if you don't happen to be here while having a drink," said Sedgwick. "They just seem kind of like you're being watched."
If you ask the city councillor who played a large role in creating the pilot, he would tend to agree.
"These larger signs indicating that parks are dry, to me, is a little bit of overkill because we know that parks are supposed to be dry," Dziadyk told CTV News Edmonton.
"I'd rather see enforcement done through bylaw officers approaching people that may be breaking the law."
'FOR THE AWARENESS OF PARK PATRONS'
In a written response to CTV News Edmonton, the city said the focus of the pilot has been on public education.
"As part of that education process we have deployed three signs to parks that are not part of the pilot for the awareness of park patrons," the statement read in part. "The signs will be rotated to new locations as required until the end of the pilot on October 11, 2021."
A spokesperson for the city told CTV News Edmonton there have been 692 warnings and 31 tickets issued for various infractions related to consumption of alcohol in city parks, from the start of the pilot to the end of June.
In Alberta, a person who is found consuming alcohol in public, or publicly intoxicated can be fined $120.
'THERE WAS ALMOST A STATE OF DECRIMINALIZATION'
According to Sedgwick, before the new law came into effect there was an unwritten one in Edmonton.
"There was almost a state of decriminalization when it came to drinking in parks," he said. "People would come out here and have a drink with a picnic and have a beer and there was mostly a blind eye turned to it, but now it seems like, because legalization occurred in some public parks, there's increased enforcement at other parks."
Dziadyk said while drinking in public parks has always happened, the benefit of the pilot is it can now be regulated.
"The beauty of the pilot project is that it allows an activity that's been occurring to be permitted under certain circumstances. That's better public policy because we channel this activity where we can enforce the rules and standards and expectations.
"The fact that people have always been drinking in parks isn't really a reason for them to continue drinking in parks. What the city has actually done is clarified the rules, allowed this activity, but segregated it so that people can enjoy other park spaces with their families."
While Sedgwick had high hopes for Dziadyk's public alcohol consumption bylaw in the beginning, needless to say, he now has reservations.
"I think it should be legal," he said. "I just don't think that anyone voting for legalized drinking in parks expected this.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.