Thought of the Day - June 29 - Alfresco Drinking

For the last little while I have been watching the discussion about allowing drinking in "public spaces" across the lower mainland. I have lived in countries where public drinking was not an infraction and as a committed drinker I did appreciate the option. However I am stunned that at this time we are preoccupying our officials with this discussion. Also, remember, bars, pubs and restaurants are already struggling to make ends meet as they reopen. First, they need to make up for the revenue loss from the last months, and then social distancing restrictions equals safeguard investments and the lowering of occupancy levels. This is the last thing they, or their staff, need.

Moreover when faced with the coronavirus most jurisdictions have chosen to decrease access to liquor:

• PEI banned liquor sales in the early days, as did northern Saskatchewan;

• Thailand, Greenland and South Africa all banned liquor sales (heck, South Africa banned the production of alcohol!);

• Places like Florida, faced with mounting cases, have just recent restricted liquor sales;

• And of course bars, pubs and restaurants have been closed across the world.

It goes without saying that a couple of drinks lowers your inhibitions and thus respect for social distancing.

So what is behind the bylaw changes allowing drinking in "public spaces"? While I would like to think the main driver is the result of studies showing that drinking in the great-outdoors poses less risk than drinking on urban patios. Or that policing is preoccupied with this minor infraction and therefore taken away from more serious issues. While these are a possibility, I can't say I have found anything reported along these lines, and certainly no one in office is quoting these as the reason.

Thus, sadly, the only option I can think of is: alcohol sales. All "sin taxes" are a "cash cows" of tax revenue. Our Province is hurting financially, and so the main driver is simply to encourage sales. I hope I am wrong, and would love to hear from you if you have seen something different . . .

Cheers

Cliff

Next up: The minimum age to buy Lottery Tickets has been lowered, and BC announces a new online casino platform.