Mayor supports opening beer and wine store in Canada’s eastern Arctic capital

Iqaluit mayor John Graham says he agrees with the Liquor Task Force recommendation of allowing communities that approve them to open beer and wine stores. (CBC)

Liquor task force recommendation aimed at combating bootlegging

A recent task force report on the liquor act in Canada’s eastern Arctic territory of Nunavut made more than 40 recommendations, including opening beer and wine stores where the community approves it.

If any community in Nunavut is going to get a beer and wine store, it would likely be Iqaluit, the territory’s capital city. With a population of close to 7,000 and growing, the city is three times bigger than the next largest community, Arviat. 

The task force believes opening beer and wine stores is a way to reduce harm, restrict access to hard liquor and cut in to the bootlegging business.

The city’s new mayor just read the report, and hasn’t discussed the idea with council. But John Graham said he believes a beer and wine store is a good idea.

“The system is so broken right now, it’s not working,” he said. “Any steps that can be taken to reduce the impact on citizens is going to be welcomed in my opinion.”

Curbing bootleggers

Iqaluit used to have a liquor store but it was shut down in 1976. It now serves as a liquor warehouse. (CBC)

Some people in the city are hesitant about the idea; others say the current restrictions only fuel the bootleggers and sales for their $200 bottles.

Iqaluit used to have a liquor store but it was shut down in 1976. It’s a liquor warehouse now, locked down and barricaded. The report says bootlegging is a $10 million a year business in the territory and 95 per cent of calls to police involve alcohol.

Iqaluit is also a transportation hub so opening a beer and wine store in the city could turn on the tap in smaller Baffin communities such as Kimmirut, Clyde River, or even Grise Fiord.

Lew Phillip spent his career with the RCMP and now lives in Iqaluit.

“It’s the smaller communities I worry about and the bootlegging,” he said in Inuktitut. “Inuit have lived with alcohol for years and so if we open a liquor store here, then we should give that option to all the communities.”

The Liquor Task Force’s report was tabled this month in the legislature and any changes to the current liquor act could still be years away.

Related Link:

Liquor task force calls for bootlegging crackdown in Canada’s eastern Arctic, CBC News

For more northern stories from CBC News, click here

CBC News

For more news from Canada visit CBC News.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *