Photo: Nunavut health, justice minister resigns over GN beer-wine store

BREAKING NEWS: Nunavut’s minister responsible for the health and justice portfolios, Paul Okalik, today resigned from cabinet, saying he cannot be part of a cabinet that supports a Government of Nunavut beer and wine store, a pilot project proposed for Iqaluit. Residents of Iqaluit voted 77 per cent in favour of over-the-counter beer and wine sales in an April 2015 plebiscite, but the topic remains controversial. Premier Peter Taptuna issued a news release March 3 saying he accepts Okalik’s resignation and that on Monday, March 7, he will reassign Okalik’s cabinet portfolios. “I want to thank Mr. Okalik for his dedicated service to cabinet on behalf of Nunavummiut and as a member of the Executive Council,” Taptuna said in the release. Okalik will keep his seat as a regular MLA for Iqaluit-Sinaa. He said March 3 that he disagrees with his colleagues’ support for the beer and wine store and that the territory needs an addictions treatment centre first. He has been sober since 1991. “To ram a beer and wine store in light of all the problems we face with alcohol was something I could not support.” Read more on Nunatsiaqonline.ca. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)