By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

liquor regulations relaxed

Alberta Government loosens drinking rules ahead of long weekend

May 16, 2019 | 4:33 PM

If you’re spending a time in a provincial park this May long weekend, you’ll legally be able to down a drink or two, or three or four or however many at any provincial park.

In the words of Premier Jason Kenney and Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon, Albertans have been burdened by the “excesses of the nanny state” and made to endure a “war on fun” which has seen liquor banned from eight provincial parks.

The relaxed rules will also apply to day use area picnic sites later this summer.

“It’s time to lift prohibition-era restrictions around liquor consumption in Alberta and give responsible adults the freedom to act responsibly,” Kenney says in a release.

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“This is part of our plan to take bold, decisive steps to reduce regulatory burden on business and not-for-profit festival organizations. We will take Alberta from being the most over-regulated to the freest economy in Canada.”

The new rules, or lack thereof, apply to Aspen Beach, Miquelon Lake, Garner Lake, Dillberry Lake, Pigeon Lake, Whitney Lakes, Jarvis Bay and Wabamun provincial parks. There is no ban in place in Alberta Parks’ other provincial campgrounds.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis regulations have also been clarified to allow event organizers the freedom to serve drinks where they see fit.

“The vast majority of Albertans who enjoy our provincial parks do so responsibly,” Nixon says. “We should not punish the majority of responsible campers through liquor bans because of the past behaviour of a few bad characters.”

Rules around quiet times, excessive noise, and appropriate behaviour will remain in place and be enforced.

Kenney and Nixon note that these relaxations are part of the UCP’s commitment to reducing red tape.