The City is changing its alcohol policy in time for 2017, but it won't allow party-goers to wander the streets freely with booze.
On Wednesday council voted to relax the liquor rules slightly by permitting bars and restaurants to expand their patios and alcohol to be served within certain cordoned-off areas for special events.
"I think it's a fair balance ... it doesn't go all the way into what has been described as the Bourbon Street Model," says Coun. Mathieu Fleury. "On the other hand, it does bring some improvements."
Last week the executive director of the ByWard Market BIA, Jasna Jennings, suggested the ByWard Market follow the "Bourbon Street Model."
The model would allow revelers to leave bars and wander through the streets with drinks during special events, if permitted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
But City staff rejected that idea, saying it did not provide for sufficient controls over the serving of alcohol to patrons.
A report by staff also noted the "Bourbon Street Model" could pose risks to public health and safety.
Fleury says the changes to municipal alcohol regulations passed on Wednesday are a compromise.