Rave law approved in principle

Publication title: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Publication date: May 19, 2000
Document type: Article
Transcribed by: MW


Toronto (CP) – A private member’s bill that would give municipalities the power to set rules for raves was unexpectedly approved in principle yesterday by the Ontario legislature.

Deputy Liberal Leader Sandra Pupatello – who argued she’s as hip as the next person – said her bill is aimed at making the all-night dance parties safer for young people, not at banning raves or driving them underground.

“We cannot ban raves, we cannot allow kids to not have a place to go,” said Pupatello, whose bill passed second reading.

But New Democrat Marilyn Churley said the proposed law is an attempt by politicians to dump on kids, in an echo of a generational divide that defined the 1960s.

“I remember very well as a young woman going to these events with thousands of other kids, and yes, there would be drugs around,” Churley said.

But she said there were also “dour-faced, stern, uptight, middle-aged politicians coming on TV and trying to stop our fun.”

Pupatello say the bill she is proposing would give municipalities more powers to regulate raves. Specifically, municipalities would be able to issue and revoke permits for the parties and allow police and other officials on the premises of a rave. They would also be able to restrict where the parties could be held.

The raves law now goes to the legislature’s justice committee for consideration.

In Edmonton, the city plans to bring in regulations to make raves safer. Earlier this month the city’s executive committee unanimously agreed to review how raves operate and create guidelines for the running of such events.

The new rules will take a couple of months to draft.

A monster rave is planned for this weekend with as many as 3,500 people expected at Northlands Sportex.