A big no to BYOB events in Tiny Twp.

The decision comes after Ontario expanded ‘Bring-Your-Own-Beverage’ permits in March aimed at boosting local tourism.

The Township of Tiny council has decided not to permit BYOB events at this time.

While there were several mitigating factors at play in the decision to allow an all access to alcohol at public events, the tiny township listed the most decisive:

First off, Tiny’s insurance pool advised that “member municipalities do not adopt the expanded BYOB Event Permit framework at this time due to significant, unmitigated risk exposure.”

Secondly, every municipal event maintains a planning process that ensures the appropriate staff, enforcement, and resources are in place to maintain public safety, which may become unmanageable.

Next, the town states that the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit provided a brief of the harms and availability of alcohol document in Simcoe Muskoka, citing that one in 20 deaths in Simcoe Muskoka are caused by alcohol use.

Alcohol related harm represents a significant public health burden, and states reducing alcohol-related harm can also help limit pressures on policing, paramedic services, by-law enforcement, parks operations, and municipal risk management.

“We understand that municipalities across the province are taking different approaches as they evaluate this provincial initiative, but it is not something council will be implementing at this time,” said Mayor David Evans.

“The township will continue to monitor the BYOB initiative and how other municipalities respond and adapt to the provincial legislation. If the concerns are addressed, council is able to revisit this item and make changes to our current approach in the future,” Evans said.