TORONTO - Hang on to your beer tents.
Police chiefs in Ontario are raising new concerns about Premier Dalton McGuinty's pre-election plans to relax the province's liquor laws.
Under the proposed changes, people could wander freely at festivals with a beer in hand, instead of being confined to a fenced-in area.
The governing Liberals are also looking at allowing weddings and charity events to serve booze until 2 a.m. instead of 1 a.m., and opening up the province to all-inclusive vacation packages.
Those changes may appeal to some voters ahead of the Oct. 6 election, but police leaders are not amused.
Ottawa Police Chief Vernon White said the move could encourage underage drinking, create a logistical nightmare for officers and unsafe environments for families.
The Ottawa Police Services Board, the civilian body that governs the force, will send a letter to the government outlining those concerns, he said in an email.
McGuinty, who shrugged off the changes as not a "high-profile thing" last week, said he's prepared to hear what police have to say.
"We're listening," he said Wednesday.
"Again, it's a proposal and we're consulting. That's why we didn't run out there with it as a fait accompli, as they say. We just put it out there, and we're listening to everyone, including our police chiefs."
The premier should have talked to the cops before putting the wheels in motion to revamp the rules, said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak.
"It's very odd that the premier would leave out the chiefs of police, who would have a very keen eye on what happens on the ground," he said.
"It just speaks to me of an announcement that they threw together at the last minute to distract from skyrocketing hydro bills, rather than thinking it through."
Attorney General Chris Bentley said he's planning to meet with police chiefs to discuss the liquor laws, and will hold consultations over three weeks with other groups, including municipalities and the tourism industry.
Even if the changes are made, municipalities and event organizers won't be forced to abide by them, he added.
"Festival owners don't have to proceed with the options. Municipalities don't have to proceed with the options," Bentley said.
"It's a question of increasing the freedom to choose in a number of areas where Ontarians don't right now have the freedom to choose."
The move to ease liquor laws was a surprising change of heart for McGuinty, who has been dubbed Premier Dad for his "Father Knows Best" governing style.
Just a few weeks ago, McGuinty mocked Hudak for publicly musing about the days when beer could be bought for a buck in Ontario, calling it "a bright, shiny object" designed to distract voters from important issues like jobs and the economy.
Former Liberal premier David Peterson promised during the 1985 election to put beer and wine in corner stores, but never delivered.
McGuinty has made it clear he won't allow corner stores to stock wine or beer anytime soon.
