New Westminster should be looking to places like Montreal and Europe when it comes to the consumption of liquor and encouraging more of a patio culture in our city. As part of their ‘Fun City’ platform, the New West Progressives are committing to reforming the way our city approaches the serving and consumption of alcohol in designated areas. This includes taking measures to eliminate the need to obtain a permit to consume a glass of wine on the beaches and greenspaces of Pier Park by 2019.
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“Our city has deep roots and connections back to Europe,” says Paul McNamara, council candidate for the New West Progressives. “We can definitely learn a lot from them in terms of modernizing the way we serve and consume alcohol. It’s definitely time we bring our antiquated by-laws and regulations into the 21st century.
Our proposed reforms would lead the way in legalizing what has been quietly and illegally happening on our beaches for years. It’s about time people no longer need to break the law if they simply want to head down to the beach on a sunny day for a meal and consume a glass of wine.”
The ‘Fun City’ initiative also includes the following commitments:
- Set a target of increasing the overall number of approved patio spaces in the city by 25% over five years by reducing the associated fees and onerous red tape associated with their development.
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- Introduce a Portland-like style “Street Seats” program to help animate the public realm and support our local restaurants and cafes. Click here for more info.
- Developing a plan to increase foot/bike patrols by the New Westminster Police in Pier Park during the initial 12 month implementation of the new alcohol consumption by-law.
- Working with the Province of BC to remove the requirements for costly physical barriers related to liquor establishments should a licensed establishment wish to do so.
- As a means of fostering better neighbourhood engagement, eliminating all permit fees to host one neighbourhood street party per calendar year in 2020.
- Encouraging and supporting the establishment of an annual Car Free Day Festival in collaboration with our local Business Improvement Areas and other community groups
“As a former police officer, I know we need to take a balanced approach when it comes to relaxing our liquor laws in the city,” says McNamara. “However, I’m convinced our phased approach will help to demonstrate that we can introduce more progressive policies that help to build our brand throughout the region as a fun place to live, work and play.”
NWP candidates for council and school board will be releasing other components of their election platform leading up to the October 20th civic election.
Learn More About Pier Park:
Pier Park in New Westminster will become the first public park where you can legally enjoy a glass of wine with your picnic on a nice summer day without having to get a permit!