Item - 2023.DM6.5

That:

1. City Council delete the Recommendations:

Recommendations to be deleted

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consult City Councillors on their interest in hosting a pilot in their wards and to work with interested Councillors to confirm an appropriate pilot for responsible personal alcohol consumption in their respective wards.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the City Solicitor and the Medical Officer of Health:

a. to report to the May 31, 2023 Economic and Community Development Committee meeting with a recommended approach, including necessary bylaw amendments, for allowing responsible personal consumption of alcohol in Toronto parks on a pilot program basis, running from July 1, 2023 to October 9, 2023; and

b. to take the appropriate research and consultation steps to ensure that the pilot is informed by relevant experiences and best practices of other Canadian jurisdictions and reflects public health, public safety, enforcement, operational and cost considerations.

and adopt instead the following new Recommendations:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in the report previously requested by City Council on May 11, 2022 under Item MM43.5, give consideration to the following:

a. allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, cider and ready-mixed cocktails, that do not exceed 15 percent alcohol by volume, in public parks and beaches between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., except in playgrounds, sports fields and other park areas where smoking is currently banned under the Smoke Free Ontario Act;

b. ensuring that as many parks and beaches as possible have a bathroom facility, including portable toilets; and

c. advising on any considerations that may be relevant and site specific.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the July 19, 20 and 21, 2023 meeting of City Council.

That City Council amend Recommendation 2.a. so that it now reads as follows:

2.a. to report to the May 31, 2023 July 6, 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee with a recommended approach, including necessary by-law amendments, for allowing responsible personal consumption of alcohol in Toronto parks on a pilot program basis, running from July 1, 2023 August 5, 2023 to October 9, 2023.

That City Council amend motion 2 by Councillor Carroll by deleting "on a pilot program basis, running" so the motion now reads:

That City Council amend Recommendation 2.a. so that it now reads as follows:

2.a. to report to the July 6, 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee with a recommended approach, including necessary by-law amendments, for allowing responsible personal consumption of alcohol in Toronto parks on a pilot program basis, running from August 5, 2023 to October 9, 2023.

That City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to seek advice of the Medical Officer of Health and report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on any harm reduction, treatment or education programs that should be in place prior to the approval and implementation of any pilot location.

That City Council request the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation to provide City Councillors with a list of parks most suited to being a part of the pilot in each Ward as part of consultation on a pilot program.