As laws around drinking in parks relax in cities across Canada, public health concerns are still being raised (Natalie Stechyson / CBC News)
I would say people are more likely to drive to a restaurant or bar than a park so drinking alcohol in parks may lower drinking and driving. Public intoxication is still illegal.
Honestly, and this is purely anecdotal, but I think a “public intoxication” law is way too broad and abused by law enforcement to unjustly wrangle up people they feel are “undesirable”.
Walk down any street in Toronto that has nightlife and there are many very obviously drunk people that do not get penalized. Whereas vulnerable, often homeless, people get swept up for similar behaviour.
I feel like “public intoxication” laws should be removed, and laws surrounding actual conduct (verbal/physical assault etc.) should remain. Having such a subjective law leaves way too much room for prejudice.
