Liquor laws that are more progressive

Kevin Legge

Public alcohol consumption is illegal in Winnipeg.

In fact, it’s illegal in all of Canada, with the exception of Quebec. The French have always been well aware that sobriety sucks.

The only way to drink on a Winnipeg street is to not get caught. Even if you’re brown bagging it, it’s against the law. 

Why? People in other places are allowed to drink in public.

Countries like England, Germany, Czech Republic and New Zealand openly imbibe, and they’re not exactly going to hell in a handbasket.

And we’re not just talking street suds.

The law won’t let you and your significant other share a bottle of merlot in the park, even if it’s part of five-course picnic meal that soaks up any chance of you getting rowdy.

What hard-working, hard-drinking ‘Peg City citizen wouldn’t love to get drunk off their ass in Ass Park?

Grand Forks, North Dakota doesn’t poop on anybody’s picnic.

The Grand Forks Park District offers an individual permit, which allows you and up to nine friends to legally drink in a city park for one picnic season.

However, there’s a catch. It’ll cost you a whopping $5.

Why doesn’t Winnipeg do this? What hard-working, hard-drinking ‘Peg City citizen wouldn’t love to get drunk off their ass in Ass Park?

Oh sure, there’s bound to be problems. Fun problems, like “Should I go back to work?” or “This picnic is great, who should I make out with?”

But seriously, there’s no reason a responsible adult can’t enjoy a few social drinks in a public setting and police can still throw the troublemakers in the tank.

Lighten up, lawmakers.

We know you’re not going to let us booze on the boulevard anytime soon, but at least let us enjoy a picnic six-pack.

Part of the series: The Urban Issue 2013

Published in Volume 67, Number 25 of The Uniter (March 28, 2013)

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