The Grey Bruce Health Unit is worried that increased access to alcohol will lead to more alcohol-related problems.
Health Promoter Jason Weppler said the local board of health has serious concerns with the province's plan to allow alcohol use in public parks and tailgate parties while opening booze sales in corner stores and big-box outlets.
"We're going to see a corresponding increase in related alcohol harms. Acute incidents like violence, injury, suicide, etc., and then chronic issues as well, specifically increases in liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder," said Weppler said.
He said the province's move to relax alcohol rules would also allow it to be sold earlier in the day at 9 a.m.
"Drinking rates in midwestern Ontario are more concerning than the rest of the province, as about 30 per cent of our residents are considered to be heavy drinkers, where I think for the province of Ontario, it's just over 20 per cent," he said.
Weppler said the province's plan to relax alcohol rules would allow municipalities to decide if they want to let people consume it in public places.
"Consumption in public areas is not great from a role modelling perspective, for families, and youth, and children that may be in these parks, and public spaces as well," he said. "I know additionally in speaking with our police partners we do have ongoing concerns with impaired driving."
Weppler said he doesn't see the idea of open alcohol consumption in parks or at beaches taking off in midwestern Ontario.
"In my discussions with a few of our municipal partners, I think there's certainly a lot of hesitation at this point to move forward with that. So we're optimistic that our municipal partners will hold the current state and not allow any open public consumption of alcohol within their municipal parks," he said.
Weppler added local municipalities seem hesitant to allow public consumption for several reasons including liability. He said they want to ensure those concerns are addressed.