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According to the Provincial Government, Ontario is taking the next steps to update alcohol laws to better serve Ontarians.

The proposed changes will remove unnecessary barriers and restrictions for special events, festivals, and licensed establishments. This will provide Ontarians with a more enjoyable experience, and improve tourism and local economies.

The province will begin consultations on a number of proposed changes, including:

• Removing the need for beer tents at events and festivals so people can walk around freely with drinks
• Extending the hours that alcohol can be served at special events, such as weddings or charity fundraisers, from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., to be consistent with licensed establishments
• Allowing all-inclusive vacation packages to be sold in Ontario
• Allowing people to circulate in retail booth areas of festivals with beverages.

The government is also proposing to expand its enforcement options against licensees who violate Ontario’s liquor laws, including monetary fines.

Modernizing the province’s liquor laws is part of the province's Open Ontario plan to strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for jobs.

Chris Bentley, Attorney General, said that,  "We would like to hear from Ontarians on getting rid of outdated restrictions that just don’t make sense. We would only proceed with changes that would not compromise enforcement of the law.”

According to Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism & Culture,  "Festivals and events are powerful economic drivers - they draw tourists to our communities, create jobs and stimulate local economies. We are making it easier for festival and event organizers, vineyards, spas, restaurants and bars to attract new audiences, and create more jobs while providing a more enjoyable experience for Ontarians.”

Each year in Ontario, festivals and events generate more than 22,000 jobs and tourism contributes more than $22 billion annually to the economy, supporting almost 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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Thursday, February 24, 2011