Owen Sound City Hall. (photo by Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
Owen Sound is preparing to implement new policies to respond to provincial regulatory changes that will expand eligibility for tailgate event permits this spring.
The city received a correspondence this month from Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Attorney General Tom McKinlay which explains changes coming to tailgate rules in Ontario, effective April 30, 2026.
The letter says tailgate events will be renamed “bring-your-own events” and expanded beyond the current scope, which is currently limited to proximity with live professional, semi-professional or post-secondary sporting events.
Some examples provided by the province of outdoor events that could apply for “bring-your-own” or tailgate permits, are outdoor movie screenings, street markets, arts and crafts shows, outdoor concerts, fairs, neighbourhood sports tournaments, farmers’ markets and international or religious festivals.
“This initiative is intended to benefit businesses, organizations, and local tourism by making public events more accessible and encouraging greater community participation,” the letter from McKinlay says. “These amendments support Ontario’s ongoing efforts to modernize the legislative and regulatory framework for alcohol, promoting safe and socially responsible recreational opportunities.”
The letter goes on to say: “Attendees aged 19 or older are allowed to bring and consume their own alcohol at all bring-your-own events.” Event organizers can also apply for a “sale” bring-your-own event permit, which would also allow alcohol to be sold and served.
Municipalities would be responsible for designating events as “cultural or community events” before the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario can issue a permit.
Owen Sound Coun. Jon Farmer asked staff if a report to council would be coming to respond to the provincial policy changes around tailgate events.
“It strikes me that we’ll need a policy or process to establish when, how and why Owen Sound will issue those permits,” Farmer says.
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says a report will be coming to committee and then council.
The city’s mayor Ian Boddy adds: “Another provincial decision that lands on a municipal desk.”