Toronto councillor to table motion making it legal to drink in parks
On a sunny day in a Toronto park, Rachel Myers is having a drink to celebrate her 24th birthday with a friend. She is not worried about getting a ticket.
Holding her can up she says, "I think it's pretty self explanatory. Everybody drinks anyway."
Currently, Myers could be fined $300 by police. Councillor Josh Matlow says the law should be changed and Rachel should be able to drink in peace.
"It's also just an archaic, ridiculous rule," Matlow said.
This week, Matlow is tabling a motion that would make it legal to drink in public spaces like a park or a beach.
"What I'm saying is, that I'm hearing from Torontonians who want to act responsibly, have a drink or two with a friend or a member of their family, and do it in an outdoor space," he said.
Matlow has tried a similar motion last year, but the pilot project was rejected in committee.
Walking around Trinity Bellwoods park Tuesday afternoon, many residents seemed to think that changing the law is the right thing to do.
"I think it's about time. I think that the law currently in place it's just antiquated, its archaic and people have been doing this for a ver long time," Tom Ruminski said.
Another resident compared allowing drinking in parks to the legalization of cannabis.
"I think it's pretty obvious that a lot of people are doing it. It's not really harming anybody," Tristan Forage said.
Ambre Le Moynge is visiting from Paris, where drinking up parks is legal. When asked if she thinks the law here is strange, she said "Yes."
"Usually when we are with friends, we usually bring beers or something to enjoy together.
While the popular sentiment may be that the current law against drinking in parks or on beaches may be out of date, there's also concern over the unintended consequences that could arise if the law were to change.
On Monday Mayor John Tory said, "we have to find a way in particular to address the big parties which have been a serious problem, resulting in a lot of complaints to my office. Even as someone who supports a slightly more flexible attitude."
In May 2020, Trinity Bellwoods Park became the scene of many large parties, often where police simply where overwhelmed.
Living across the street from the park, Mia Fernandes remembers those parties well.
"People being really rude, peeing at the houses, leaving their garbage everywhere and it used to be never like that before," she said.
Fernandes says that despite the experience, the law should allow for responsible use.
"I don't see a problem, why not. I'm from Germany and it's totally normal there to drink in public," she says.
Councillor Matlow says there are already rules in place for disorderly behaviour.
If the motion passes, drinking in parks could come as soon as this summer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
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.
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.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.