FILE – Entrance sign to Barrie City Hall
Ontario is relaxing its alcohol regulations for some outdoor events, but you won’t be able to bring your own drinks to festivals or parks in Barrie just yet.
The provincial government revealed on Mar. 17 plans to broaden its previous tailgate permit system, allowing attendees to bring their own alcohol at specific community and cultural events starting Thursday.
This change doesn’t automatically let people bring their own alcohol to local events; instead, it creates a permit option that organizers can apply for if an event is approved.
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City staff noted in a memo shared on Wednesday that this provincial update “does not change the City’s existing authority, by-laws, or event permitting framework.”
“Alcohol consumption in parks and at outdoor event spaces remains prohibited unless properly authorized through an approved City of Barrie Special Events Permit,” Lauren Andrew, the City of Barrie’s manager of culture, venue and special events summarized in the memo.
For now, this update does not mean that attendees can automatically bring alcohol to festivals or city parks unless event organizers obtain the necessary approvals. The municipality maintains complete control over where and when alcohol can be consumed at events held on public property.
Alcohol continues to be banned in city parks and public outdoor areas unless event organizers secure both a municipal special events permit and approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The province’s updated framework introduces two new types of “bring-your-own” permits requiring organizers to get a Special Occasion Permit through the AGCO:
The first is a “no-sale” bring-your-own permit which allows attendees of legal drinking age to bring their own liquor for personal use at the event within designated areas but does not allow for selling alcohol on-site.
On the other hand, a “sale” bring-your-own permit would similarly allow attendees to bring their own beverages but also enable sales by the permit holder.
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Events must be associated with or close to a professional, semi-professional or post-secondary sporting event or otherwise designated by a municipal council or delegate.
However, there are no requirements from provincial rules for municipalities to set up a separate process for designating these events.
The city staff indicated that this change adds another permit option rather than replacing existing approval processes. It will be up to the City whether they designate an event as qualifying for cultural or community status, with proof needed as part of the AGCO application.
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