Kugluktuk to vote on whether to remove alcohol restrictions

A plebiscite will be held in October todetermine whether alcohol can be sold in the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

Under the Nunavut Liquor Act, each community can choose its level of control over alcohol sales and consumption.

Kugluktuk is currently a restricted community, meaning residents need to apply to the local alcohol education committee for permission to order liquor.

Plebiscite on Oct. 22

In April, Nunavut's Department of Finance received a petition by 34 eligible voters in the community to remove therestrictions.

The Minister of Finance at the time, David Akeeagok,approved the request and took steps to launch the local plebiscite to make the switch.

The plebiscite is set for Oct. 22and advanced votes can be cast on Oct. 15.

"At the end of the day, it is the community's choice and government is here to enforce it," said Dan Carlson, assistant deputy minister of finance.

A plebiscite needs 60 per cent or more of the votes cast to be in favour before the system can change. If that happens, theKugluktukalcohol education committee will be dissolved and residents will be able to order liquor from warehouses in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.

"If anyone wants to understand the mechanics of the vote, who can vote, how it happens, Elections Nunavut is who to contact because they administer the process," said Carlson.

The government expects to hold public community discussions in late September orearly October. Government officials are working with the hamlet to determine the date of the town hall meeting.

Baker Lake was the last community to vote in favour of removing alcohol restrictions, in January.

• Plebiscite ekes out a 'yes' to unrestricted liquor sales in Baker Lake, Nunavut

Beer and wine stores still in the works

As more communities consider removing liquor restrictions, Nunavut's larger hamlets are in favour of opening beer and wine stores that will be operated by the territory.

• A big 'yes' for beer and wine stores in 2 Nunavut hamlets

Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet residents voted in favour of having government-run stores in their communities in May 2017, but Carlson saidresidents will have to wait until Nunavut figures out rules for cannabis retailand licensing.

Nunavut plans to have cannabis available through online sales when federal legalization comes into force onOct. 17.

"We expect cannabis regulationsto keep staff busy into the fall," Carlson said.

Iqaluit's beer and wine store opened last September.

• Iqaluit's beer and wine store opens today