Responsible Hospitality Edmonton

Responsible Hospitality Edmonton (RHE) is a community-wide, multi-disciplined initiative established by the City of Edmonton to oversee and support the management of bars, licensed venues and hospitality zones in the city.

The goal of Responsible Hospitality Edmonton is to promote a safe, thriving, late-night environment in the city by planning, policing and managing the many aspects of hospitality zones throughout the city.

Hospitality zones are gathering places for drinking, dancing, enjoying music, eating at restaurants, shopping, or just hanging out.

RHE draws on the expertise and perspectives of the hospitality industry, the business community, the residential community, safety providers and City departments.

Main Areas of Focus

RHE focuses on three main areas:

• Managing Whyte Avenue and Jasper Avenue as venues
• Ensuring licensed venues know and comply with rules and standards meant to keep people safe
• Promoting patron responsibility

Street as a Venue

RHE also manages the impacts of two of the busiest hospitality zones in the city – Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona and Jasper Avenue. “Street as a Venue” is a program that treats these zones as a single entertainment venue or event. This makes it possible to coordinate efforts to improve the overall atmosphere and environment of each area.

Public Safety Compliance Team

The Public Safety Compliance Team (PSCT) works directly with owners and operators of licensed facilities and events, as well as after-hours clubs and events, to ensure a safe environment for patrons, staff and the community. PSCT provides preventive and educational advice and promotes responsible management practices. PSCT is a multi-agency team made up of the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Rescue Service, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, and the City of Edmonton Community Standards Branch.

Patron Responsibility

To encourage patrons to behave responsibly while having fun, several social marketing campaigns have been introduced. “Be a Lover/Not a Fighter” targeted Whyte Avenue crowds; “Turn it Down” was developed with the University of Alberta; “Save the Party” is aimed at hospitality zones throughout the city. The most recent campaign was aimed at reducing jaywalking. The "J-Walker" campaign won several Advertising Club of Edmonton awards.

For More Information

Responsible Hospitality Edmonton