LICENCES ALL THE RAVE

Council Passes Bylaw For All-Night Parties

THEY MIGHT be notorious for lurking beyond the eyes of authority but rave
parties will have to surface from underground under a new bylaw passed by
city council.

Under the new regulations, promoters must apply for a $180 licence 28 days
before they hope to host a rave or all-night dance party.

The bylaw passed but councillors were divided over an amendment that
eventually also passed recommending the health, recreation and social
services committee look at leasing city property for the events.

Uncertainty

"As a city it is not appropriate to cross the line and give the appearance
we are in any way promoting these activities," said Coun. Diane Deans, who
supports the licensing but opposed the controversial amendment. "I think
this is the wrong message to send to the community.

Despite the uncertainty over whether the city should hold such events on
public property, there was little debate over the benefits of licensing them.

Raves are known for being held in warehouses, barns and other places where
safety is a concern.

Promoters must now hold the events in approved "amusement places" with
adequate utilities and permit bylaw officers to carry out safety inspections.

Those who refuse to license their events could face fines of up to $5,000.

The city was encouraged to come up with a means to monitor raves from the
police services board in response to reported sexual assaults and hundreds
of calls from concerned parents on the whereabouts of their children.

'Club Drugs' Concern

Public concern over unregulated all-night raves has also focused on "club
drugs" such as ecstasy, cocaine, the date-rape drug GHB and ketamine, also
known as "Special K."

"It's unfortunate we have to enter and legislate this," said Coun. Rick
Chiarelli, who said he was "holding (his) nose" while supporting the motion.

"There are kids from 12-13 years old leaving their homes at midnight and
parents are expecting us to legislate their safety."