If you’re heading out camping in a Provincial Park this long weekend you will no longer need to leave the booze behind.

Premier Jason Kenney announced late Thursday afternoon that he was quashing the more than decade-old ban. Since 2004 Alberta Parks has put a liquor ban in place for several provincial parks for the duration of the Victoria Day long weekend.

“It’s time to lift prohibition-era restrictions around liquor consumption in Alberta and give responsible adults the freedom to act responsibly,” said Premier Kenney in a media release.

Historically the ban was put in place each year for specific parks. It prohibited the possession and consumption of liquor in all areas within the park, including campgrounds and group camping areas.

The reason for the ban was to help deter criminal and offensive behaviour, underage drinking and excessive partying on the May long weekend.

The United Conservative Party government as “the excesses of the nanny state and the ‘War on Fun.’”

“The vast majority of Albertans who enjoy our provincial parks do so responsibly. We should not punish the majority of responsible campers through liquor bans because of the past behaviour of a few bad characters,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks.

The liquor ban will be lifted at Aspen Beach, Miquelon Lake, Garner Lake, Dillberry Lake, Pigeon Lake, Whitney Lakes, Jarvis Bay and Wabamun provincial parks. There is no ban in place in Alberta Parks’ other provincial campgrounds.

According to the Alberta Parks website, there is no ban on cannabis use or consumption in provincial parks however there are restrictions on where it can be consumed.

“Adult visitors may consume cannabis in their registered campsites (including in RVs being used as a temporary residence in a registered campsite) and in public areas where tobacco is permitted.” said a statement on the Alberta Parks website.

However, the smoking or vaping of cannabis is prohibited within five meters of playgrounds, sports fields, outdoor theatres, or near pools and splash pads.

 

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