Iqaluit high school students discuss beer, wine store

To the Deputy Minister of Finance, Chris D’Arcy:

We are writing in response to the news story, “Opponents pack beer-wine store meeting in Nunavut’s capital.”

We have had a number of classes to discuss the article and came up with several strong points that the Government of Nunavut should consider.

The general outcome of our discussions concluded that the beer and wine store is an excellent idea.

However, there are some issues to be aware of that the class also recognized.

Some of the disadvantages that were brought up include:

1. The possibility of an increased crime rate within the community.

2. Social class problems with poverty would be increased.

3. The health of disadvantaged groups already has existing problems with alcohol and this would not cease.

The advantages that were discussed include:

1. Less bootlegging and binge drinking of hard liquor. Lower income families will have more disposable income to buy food for their families, due to not purchasing alcohol from bootleggers where there is a potential mark up of 300 per cent for purchasing black-market alcohol.

2. Opening up a beer and wine store could create more job opportunities within the community.

3. Citizens of legal age should have the right to purchase alcohol within Iqaluit, or at least have the choice to do so.

Furthermore, has the government considered how the taxation, finances and profits made could contribute to the community of Iqaluit?

Such initiatives could include: the multimillion dollar pool project, other recreational services, housing, and education.

A treatment center is an essential service that has been much needed for decades within the community for Nunavut.

We believe that people who are sent to a culturally sensitive rehab facility in Nunavut would decrease potential relapsing.

This would also save thousands of dollars for the government, for instance, if someone from Pangnirtung wanted to be treated for alcoholism, sending them to Iqaluit for a month would cost less than sending the individual to a facility in British Columbia.

As we are the future of Nunavut we would like to have more access to these services for the betterment of Nunavut.

Qujannamiik,

Grade 12 Aulajaaqtut Class
Inuksuk High School
Iqaluit

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