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While their Calgary counterparts take a sober look at on-duty imbibing policies, Edmonton councillors say it just isn't an issue to them.

"It's accepted that we have been elected to be community leaders. I've yet to see on my term on council anyone even a little tipsy at an event," said Coun. Scott McKeen when asked his reaction to Calgary council's debate last week involving council drinking habits.

During the discussion, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he has received complaints about councillors being "blotto" at public events, something McKeen said may have been part of the culture 20 years ago but has since been discouraged.

Coun. Michael Oshry, who has posted tongue-in-cheek comments on Twitter about having a drink to make the more boring meetings go quicker, says the reality is elected officials on Edmonton council are quite responsible.

"I tweet out what I think is entertaining sometimes but overall I don't have any concerns with alcohol being consumed at city council," Oshry said, adding he has only seen people having a drink after council business has ended at the end of a long day or a glass of wine at a dinner event.

"It doesn't affect decision-making and the average city councillor, I would think, has got the judgment to know when they should be having a drink and when they shouldn't. I just don't think there's an issue in Edmonton at all," he said.

For McKeen, it makes more sense to stay sober anyway.

"You're out in public, you're not just representing yourself, you're representing the office of councillor for the ward," he said. "We should not give the public more reason to be cynical about politicians. They have enough ammunition."

david.lazzarino@sunmedia.ca

@SUNDaveLazz

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/01/27/being-blotto-isnt-an-issue-to-edmonton-councillors