Item - 2026.EX30.12
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on April 22 and 23, 2026 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on April 15, 2026 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on April 22 and 23, 2026.
- See also By-law 372-2026
EX30.12 - Implementation of O.Reg 1/26 under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 in the City of Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 9 - Davenport
Caution: Motions are shown below. Any motions should not be considered final until the meeting is complete, and the decisions for this meeting have been confirmed.
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the City Clerk, to distribute information on “bring-your-own event” liquor application process to cultural and community event producers, including good practices to support small businesses.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services, in consultation with the City Clerk, to integrate information of the municipal designation process for “bring-your-own events” into the Guidance for Planning Events in the City webpage.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-286129.pdf
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-286365.pdf
Attachments 1 and 2 - Delegation of Authority to the City Clerk related to Bring-your-own Event permits and Proposed Amendments to Administrative Procedures Regarding the Existing Delegation of Authority to the City Clerk for Temporary Liquor Licences
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-286336.pdf
Communications (Committee)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council adopt the following recommendations in the supplementary report (April 22, 2026) from the City Clerk [EX30.12a]:
1. City Council update the delegation of authority to the City Clerk to designate an event a cultural or community event and issue a letter of endorsement to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for requests for Bring-your-own Event permits, effective April 30, 2026, as set out in Attachment 1 to the report.
2. City Council update the delegation of authority to the City Clerk to include changes to the administrative process for bring-your-own Events as set out in Attachment 2 to the report.
3. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of to provide for the sale, possession and/or consumption of alcohol on the public right-of-way during street events, subject to a permit issued by the General Manager of Transportation Services.
4. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report on any lessons learned from the implementation of Bring-your-own Event permits as part of the forthcoming report to Council on the City's approach to temporary liquor licensing.
EX30.12 - Implementation of O.Reg 1/26 under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 in the City of Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 9 - Davenport
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the City Clerk, to distribute information on “bring-your-own event” liquor application process to cultural and community event producers, including good practices to support small businesses.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services, in consultation with the City Clerk, to integrate information of the municipal designation process for “bring-your-own events” into the Guidance for Planning Events in the City webpage.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Executive Committee directed the City Clerk, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report directly to the April 22, 2026 meeting of City Council with any required by-law or delegated authority amendments for the implementation of the regulatory changes made by O. Reg. 1/26 for “bring-your-own events”, including:
a. amendments to the Delegation of Authority for the Endorsement of Temporary Liquor Licences (as established by 2019.EX3.7 and amended by 2023.EX3.8) to include “bring-your-own" events; and
b. a definition of “cultural and community event” for the purposes of liquor licensing to include consideration to permitted Street Events, Special Events in City Parks, and Arts & Music in City Parks Events.
Origin
Summary
On March 17, 2026, the Province of Ontario announced an expansion of the liquor licence permit category for “bring-your-own” events (formerly known as tailgate events) to include cultural and community outdoor events such as neighbourhood festivals, movie screenings, art exhibits, and farmer’s markets. This creates new opportunities for local events across Toronto happening this summer, if they wish to participate.
In order to implement the expanded permit category created by this new regulation, Toronto City Council needs to establish a process for municipal designation of cultural and community events for the purpose of liquor licensing. As such, this item requests the City Clerk and General Manager, Economic Development & Culture to report directly to the next meeting of City Council with the required amendments needed to create a municipal designation process in advance of the regulation coming into force on April 30, 2026.
Enabling new ways to save on overhead costs for cultural producers aligns with the objectives of Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035) and creating new opportunities for local small businesses supports the drivers of Sidewalks to Skylines: A 10-Year Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy (2025-2035).
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-286129.pdf
Communications
Motions
That:
1. Executive Committee amend Recommendation 1 by deleting the words "City Council" and inserting the words "Executive Committee" so that it now reads:
1. Executive Committee direct the City Clerk, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report directly to the April 22, 2026 meeting of City Council with any required bylaw or delegated authority amendments for the implementation of the regulatory changes made by O. Reg. 1/26 for “bring-your-own events”, including:
a. Amendments to the Delegation of Authority for the Endorsement of Temporary Liquor Licences (as established by 2019.EX3.7 and amended by 2023.EX3.8) to include “bring-your-own" events; and
b. A definition of “cultural and community event” for the purposes of liquor licensing to include consideration to permitted Street Events, Special Events in City Parks, and Arts & Music in City Parks Events.