The Ford government could soon allow alcohol consumption in most provincial parks.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy, made the announcement on Wednesday. McCarthy says the province is planning to expand where visitors can drink alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits, beyond designated campsites.
Currently, alcohol is only permitted at individual campsites for campers and their guests.
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Under the proposed changes, visitors would be allowed to either bring their own alcohol or purchase it within park grounds. However, some areas would remain alcohol-free, such as playgrounds, with signage posted to clearly indicate restricted zones.
While Toronto itself does not have provincial parks, the changes could affect nearby destinations popular with local campers, including Darlington Provincial Park in Oshawa and Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville.
The move comes nearly a month after the Ford government announced plans to expand bring-your-own (BYO) alcohol permits to a broader range of public events.
Those permits will now apply to municipally designated cultural and community outdoor gatherings, including farmers’ markets, movie screenings, art exhibits, and neighbourhood festivals.
