FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2022
VANCOUVER — ABC Vancouver announced today that an ABC majority on Park Board will direct staff to permanently allow for the responsible consumption of alcohol in all Vancouver parks, and will initiate a pilot program to allow consumption of alcohol on Vancouver beaches.
“For the last two summers, residents have been able to consume alcoholic beverages at certain Vancouver parks,” said ABC Park Board candidate Scott Jensen “That pilot has been so successful that we will be permanently allowing alcohol consumption at all parks with adequate facilities.”
Under the existing “Alcohol in parks” pilot program alcohol consumption has been allowed in 22 Vancouver parks, under the ABC plan, that number would expand to 73, the number of parks with washrooms and garbage disposal facilities.
“It is a waste of Park Board resources to be ticketing the behaviour of responsible adults,” continued Jensen. “It should not be a crime for somebody to enjoy a beer or wine with their picnic.”
In addition to making the “Alcohol in parks” program permanent, an ABC-led Park Board will be asking City staff to initiate a supervised pilot program to allow consumption of alcohol on Vancouver beaches.
“We have seen no noticeable increase in the number of alcohol-related public safety issues in parks covered under the pilot,” said Jensen “That is why an ABC majority on Park Board will be asking staff to initiate a supervised pilot program allowing consumption of alcohol on Vancouver beaches.”
The ABC plan would also reallocate resources towards improving park and beach maintenance.
“It’s important that Park Board resources are allocated appropriately,” concluded Jensen. “We will re-focus resources on improving maintenance in parks and on beaches to enhance park use.”
The existing pilot program is set to finish on October 16th, 2022.
ABC Vancouver has nominated nineteen candidates for the October 15th municipal elections; Ken Sim for Mayor; Lenny Zhou, Peter Meiszner, Brian Montague, Mike Klassen, and incumbent City Councillors Rebecca Bligh, Lisa Dominato, and Sarah Kirby-Yung for Council; Brennan Bastyovanszky, Laura Christensen, Angela Haer, Marie-Claire Howard, Scott Jensen, and Jas Virdi for Park Board; Alfred Chien, Preeti Fairdkot, Victoria Jung, Christopher Richardson, and Josh Zhang for School Board.
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Media Contact:
Taylor Verrall
604-968-3067 | taylor@abcvancouver.ca