The regional district of Metro Vancouver is thinking about a test project that will permit drinking alcohol in some of its parks.
Metro Vancouver is going to vote on the plan which, if approved, would allow alcohol in six regional parks.
The regional parks are located at Boundary Bay, Campbell Valley, Capilano River, Derby Reach and Iona Beach.
The 2024 test program is suggested to run from June 28 to Oct. 14 with alcohol consumption being allowed at any time during park hours.
Several municipalities in Metro Vancouver have put in place their own plans to allow the legal consumption of alcohol in parks and public spaces, including North Vancouver.
Many programs were tested in 2020 and 2021 as a reaction to increased use of public open spaces across the region during the pandemic. Many pilot projects have since become permanent.
The proposal is facing opposition, as Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are advising the regional district not to proceed with the project.
Both health authorities have concerns about health and safety. They said alcohol causes more health harm than any other substance, and is responsible for more hospitalizations and paramedic services than any other substance, costing the province billions of dollars annually.
“In the interest of public health and safety, we strongly caution against the Regional Parks Committee approving a pilot program to permit alcohol consumption in the four regional parks proposed within the Fraser Health area: Boundary Bay, Campbell Valley, Derby Reach, and Brunette Fraser Greenway,” Fraser Health staff said in a release.
“Even moderate amounts of alcohol can have serious health and social consequences including cancers, heart disease, liver disease and violence.”
There are also concerns the project will enable underage drinking.
Metro Vancouver is expected to vote on the pilot project later on Friday.
