Municipal Alcohol Policy (Events) Amendment

In 2021, Council adopted a Municipal Alcohol Policy, which applies to public events occurring on municipal property that have applied to serve alcohol under the process governed by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. The policy was one of the first of its kind in British Columbia, developed with a focus on safety, inclusivity, and community engagement.

The policy is grounded in three guiding principles:

• Community Health & Safety – This policy aims to promote the health and safety of all people by creating safety protocols and harm-reduction tools to promote thoughtful approaches to the consumption and promotion of alcohol.
• Engagement and Support – This policy and any amendments thereto will be developed by meaningfully engaging with the public and event producers to support the provision of responsible events.
• Inclusivity – This policy is drafted with the intent to include people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized at public events, and to recognize and respect the experiences of all community members.

District staff presented the policy to Council for review and discussion at the October 21, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting. Based on this discussion, Council is considering some administrative amendments to the policy.

What Amendments Are Being Proposed?

The main proposed amendment is as follows:

Approval for the use of municipally owned property for public events serving alcohol must be granted by Council for the first-time assembly.

For subsequent annual events where the event remains substantially the same, permits may be issued by staff under the District’s Delegation of Council Authority Bylaw.

However, Council approval will be required if:

• The District receives or is made aware of any internal or external complaint;
• A new event is being proposed, or;
• The event is substantially different from previous applications.

This change is intended to streamline the permitting process for repeat, well-established events while maintaining oversight for new or significantly altered events.

Community Alcohol Strategy

This Municipal Alcohol Policy will become one component of a broader Community Alcohol Strategy, which is planned for development in 2025/2026. The upcoming strategy will take a more comprehensive approach to alcohol-related policy and community well-being.

Public Consultation

The District is inviting community feedback to help determine whether the proposed amendment aligns with the values and priorities of Tofino residents. Specifically, the District are seeking input on:

• Is the streamlined approval process suitable for recurring events?
• Any potential impacts the change may have on community safety, event inclusivity, or public trust
• Suggestions for improving clarity, equity, or effectiveness within the policy

Residents are encouraged to review the proposed amendment in the “Documents” section and share their input using the feedback tool below.

All feedback will be compiled and presented to Council for consideration prior to the adoption of the policy.

Deadline for Feedback: May 9, 2025