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“Nobody has taken the cohesive approach and looked at it as an overall strategy,” Toma said. “It’s always been piecemeal and one off, and at the direction of council.”

Some of the changes were made in response to the provincial liquor policy review that began in 2013 and resulted in a list of 73 proposed policy changes. To date, 41 changes have been made provincially, including allowing happy hour and setting minimum drink prices.

City staff has already conducted background research, mapping and data analysis, looked at best practices and done some consultation with industry and stakeholders such as Vancouver Coastal Health and the police and fire departments.

Thanks to that research and consultation, Toma said, the city has a good idea of what some of the important issues are — patios, density, safety, cutting red tape and instituting consistent policies, to name a few — but now it’s time to hear from the public.

The survey first asks participants about their general attitudes toward alcohol consumption and production in Vancouver. People can then provide opinions about topics such as how the city should manage liquor availability (which policies can support social and economic vibrancy and how to prevent problematic consumption), reduce harm caused by alcohol and support low- or no-liquor activities.

After the summer, officials will report the survey results to the public before finalizing specific bylaw and policy recommendations and bringing them to council. The goal is to present the draft changes to council in November.

City staff will be at two farmers’ markets this weekend — the Nat Bailey market on Saturday and the Hastings Park market on Sunday — providing information and encouraging people to complete the survey.

“We want to listen, but we also want to make sure we inform the public on the issues and complexities,” Toma said.

The questionnaire will be available on the Talk Vancouver website for one month.

jensaltman@postmedia.com

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