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By Chris Brown / CHAT News Today

alberta

‘Entertainment districts’ would allow responsible public drinking

Nov 5, 2021 | 7:22 AM

Adults could soon be able to responsibly enjoy a beer or a glass of wine in designated public areas in Alberta.

The government’s fifth Red Tape Reduction Implementation Bill proposes municipalities be able to create “entertainment districts,” designated public areas where adults can responsibly consume alcohol.

The province says it will promote economic growth through tourism and community revitalization.

Other proposed amendments would allow licensed cannabis businesses to enter the online market, modernizing the Alberta Human Rights Commission and enabling more efficient regulation of Alberta’s credit union system.

Overall, the province says reducing red tape will remove barriers to economic growth, create more opportunities for small businesses, remove unnecessary restrictions and improve the delivery of government services.

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According to the province, more than 120,000 regulatory requirements have been removed since May 2019 for an overall reduction of more than 18 per cent. That puts the government on track to reach the goal of a one-third red tape reduction across government, by 2023.

NDP Critic for Red Tape Reduction Chris Nielsen issued the following statement in response to the introduction of Bill 80, Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2021:

“The top priority of this UCP government should be cutting the red tape that is keeping COVID-19 emergency financial support out of the hands of small businesses. We’ve been hearing from hundreds of business owners who are struggling to survive and have been waiting for payments for months.

“Given the UCP’s terrible handling of the health care system and the pandemic, and their lack of transparency, the health minister must immediately confirm that amendments in the Health Insurance Premiums Act and the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act will not lead to the introduction of health care premiums.”