Voters stand pat on booze rules in two communities

The status quo remains in place for liquor regulations in Chesterfield Inlet and Taloyoak, after voters in both Nunavut communities cast ballots in Dec. 13 liquor plebiscites.

For a change to occur in a community’s liquor status, at least 60 per cent of the valid votes cast must be in favour of the question on the ballot — and the results from Dec. 13 votes in Chesterfield Inlet and Taloyoak fell short of that percentage needed for change.

More than 20 eligible voters in Chesterfield Inlet petitioned the Government of Nunavut’s finance department, asking for a vote to disband their alcohol education committee, but two in three of those who turned out Dec. 13 voted to keep the community’s alcohol education committee.

According to Elections Nunavut, 121 of 145 eligible voters in Chesterfield Inlet cast ballots in the Dec. 13 plebiscite.

Of these, 48 voters or 40 per cent voted in favour of disbanding the alcohol committee that reviews and approves liquor orders, while 73 voters or 60 per cent voted to keep the committee.

In Taloyoak, 257 of 451 eligible voters turned out to vote in their Dec. 13 plebiscite on whether to establish an alcohol education committee in their community.

According the Elections Nunavut, 125 voters or 49 per cent were in favour of the establishment of an alcohol education committee while 132 voters or 51 per cent were against its establishment.