The Ontario government may have expanded permitting so people can bring their own alcohol to public outdoor events, but the Town of Essex would rather keep the status quo.
That would be no outside alcohol at community events.
"We want to provide public education and clarity to members of the public," said Mayor Sherry Bondy. "Many of them may think with the provincial announcement that they can just pack up a cooler, bring it to the park, and that is not the case in the Municipality of Essex."
As of April 30, the province started allowing permits for municipal community or cultural events. The town issued a notice on social media to let residents know it won't be changing its bylaws. Instead, Mayor Sherry Bondy hopes residents continue to support local businesses.
"We are hearing loud and clear from our local businesses that times are really tough for them. These are sales that they would lose," said Bondy. "We want to make sure that after the COVID lockdown, the tariffs, the recession and with the cost of everything, that we're also supporting them."
There's also a risk of liability for the municipality.
"We do not want people consuming alcohol in public spaces without regulation. Alcohol should be served with a licensed Smart Serve vendor," Bondy added. "There is nobody monitoring if somebody is 14, 15, 16, or 17 having access to that alcohol."
Bondy doesn't anticipate any public discussion on it.
"The only way that we would be having one is if a member of council wants to change it and have booze at Open Streets or events like that. Right now, I don't think there's any appetite. We haven't heard back from any member of council who wishes to," she said.
