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The reason for the months-long delay is that “it takes a while” to get approval from the province, said Daria Wojnarski, a parks board spokeswoman. The two restaurants have been working with both the city’s Liquor Licence Group and the province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to get the necessary approvals, she said.

When the Ministry of Attorney General was asked for its take on what has caused the delay, Cathy Dargie, a spokeswoman at the ministry, issued a written statement that said application requirements are “detailed and robust in the interest of due diligence and public safety.”

Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG

As to when the project might be approved, Dargie said the province can’t comment on specific liquor licence applications.

The lack of official alcohol sales at the two parks did not dampen the spirits of tourists and locals who chose to celebrate Canada Day with a drink at the beach. Among them was Simon Conroy, a relatively new arrival to Canada from Dublin, Ireland, who was quaffing a Pabst Blue Ribbon on a log in the sand.

“If you bring a plastic bag for your rubbish and take (it) with you I don’t see a problem with it,” Conroy said of drinking in the park. He said if people keep to themselves, drink just a few cans, avoid getting rowdy and be responsible, there should be no issue.

Stacey Wade, who was with Conroy and other friends, said most people aren’t coming to the park to get drunk and ruin everyone else’s day.

Grischa Grzybowski and Nicole Weber, in town from Dusseldorf, Germany, were among those who had stopped at the Beach Bar to eat and grab a drink.