NO PLANS TO REGULATE RAVES, EVANS SAYS

Four months ago a suggestion that the province ban all-ages rave parties
was hot and trendy.

But in the fast-dancing rave world, fashions change in the blink of an eye.
And just like the dance music of the summer of 2000, the age-split idea is
now stale and out of style.

In June, a two-day public forum in Edmonton and Calgary recommended that
Children's Services Minister Iris Evans sponsor regulations splitting raves
into all-adults and all-minors.

Evans had promised to take the idea to caucus. But yesterday she said the
age split is no longer an option, along with any other laws on raves.

"We will not be - at least there are no plans - to do anything in
legislation on raves," Evans said.

Instead, the province will let individual cities and towns set their own
rules to govern raves.

"Communities believe ... they are able to handle the issue with their own
bylaws, their own planning and their own work with the youths," Evans said.

"I'm very satisfied that is the best way, especially since they are in the
driver's seat with their communities and they don't believe they need
anything bigger."

Mayor Bill Smith applauded the province for waiting to see what direction
the city takes.

"I think that makes sense to see what we've done.

"I'm sure Minister Evans will support what we're doing," said Smith. Smith
said the province may still have a role to play.

"I think it's important that both levels of government are looking at this
because it is a concern - a huge concern around drugs. Anybody who thinks
this is just about dancing - it's absolutely not," added Smith.

A city committee made up of rave organizers and members of the community is
expected to table recommendations about possible new regulations for raves
Oct. 24.