The Ontario government has proposed changing its liquor laws in an effort to protect bar patrons from date rape drugs.

Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips announced the proposed bill on Friday at Ryerson University in Toronto, part of an overhaul of the province's Liquor Licence Act.

Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said the proposed law means patrons would never have to leave their drink unattended.
(CBC)

"I'm not sure that people in 1944 had anticipated that anybody would be drugging drinks," said Phillips. "Times change, and we have to change with the times."

Under the new provisions, consumers would be permitted to carry their drinks with them into washrooms and hallways, thereby eliminating the opportunity for others to spike their beverages with so-called date rape drugs. Bars will have to extend their liquor licences to cover the new areas.

"Patrons will never have to leave their drink unattended and risk someone slipping them drugs or otherwise tainting their beverage," said Phillips.

Phillips will introduce the proposal in the legislature on Thursday.

Flavourless, colourless and odourless, date rape drugs are undetectable and can easily be mixed into drinks. Low doses of the drugs can cause muscle relaxation, drowsiness, disorientation, comas and loss of feeling. In higher doses, the drugs can lead to convulsions, hallucinations and death.

The drugs act quickly, within 10 to 15 minutes, and can last for up to four hours.

Current law does not allow bar patrons in Ontario to take their drinks into the washroom with them.

"It's good to see there are steps being taken by the government to try to address the issue of date rape," said Nora Loreto, the vice-president of education in Ryerson's student union.

"To be able to bring it into the washroom will be a really good way to make sure students always have their drinks on hand."

Phillips said the changes were supported by both law enforcement officials and the bar industry.

With files from the Canadian Press