Mayor, Premier spar over Stampede tent noise rules and beer prices

Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Premier Danielle Smith traded volleys over the weekend about who's making it harder for Albertans to have fun, as a debate over Stampede tent noise rules spilled into criticism of new minimum liquor prices.

Farkas took aim at the province Sunday over changes introduced by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission that raised minimum drink prices at bars and restaurants ahead of the city's busiest season. The changes took effect June 9, increasing minimum prices for draught beer to $0.25 per ounce from $0.16, putting the minimum price of a 20-ounce pint at $5, up from $3.20—a 60 per cent jump. Spirits and liqueurs rose to $4 per ounce from $2.75, and wine to $0.50 per ounce from $0.35.

"Looks like the fun police have struck again in Alberta, this time targeting people trying to enjoy a pint," Farkas wrote on social media. "This last minute hike before Stampede will raise the minimum price of a beer from $3.20 to $5, a 60 (per cent) increase. The provincial government will negatively affect thousands of workers and create additional problems for bars and restaurants already facing higher costs."

The mayor's comments appeared to mirror language Smith had used a day earlier, when the premier criticized the city's handling of Stampede regulations. On Saturday, Smith wrote that Calgary's new noise rules—reducing allowable noise levels and shutting music venues down early on weeknights—would "negatively affect hundreds of workers and create additional public safety and crowd-management problems due to guests leaving in a shorter timeframe."

Karin Campbell, the AGLC's senior manager of communications, said the increases followed a review of liquor policies and marked the first adjustment to minimum drink prices since they were introduced nearly two decades ago. The agency said the move reinforces its social responsibility commitment to reducing alcohol-related harms by encouraging moderation.