Nunavut drinkers downing more booze: StatsCan

Statistics Canada says Nunavummiut are drinking more, with the net income of the territorial liquor commission showing an increase in alcohol sales of 55 per cent from 2010 to 2011.

Sales of alcohol and permits through the liquor commission leapt from $1,083,000 in 2010 to $1,683,000 in 2011.

StatsCan’s March 26 report also said wine sales in Nunavut rose by five per cent from 2010 to 2011, while beer sales dropped by three per cent.

The report shows that Nunavummiut sipped $654,000 worth of wine during the 12-month period ending ending March 31, 2011.

And they also purchased more spirits, such as vodka, over that year — $1.9 million-worth, a three per cent increase over 2010.

But that doesn’t make beer sales insignificant.

Beer remains a best-seller and the beverage of choice in Nunavut, where the liquor system racked up $3.4 million in beer sales over 2011.

Overall, alcohol sales through bars and restaurants in the territory reached about $6 million in 2011.