Alcohol abuse is a private issue

Recently in the press and on the radio, there have been discussions and articles on the proposed addition to the town of a new bar.

I have recently signed a petition in favour of this same business endeavour, and no, I’m not surprised by the same old excuses for not allowing a new bar into Iqaluit.

When I arrived in Iqaluit, the liquor store had over the counter sales and there was alcohol abuse in town, so the Commissioner closed the liquor outlet to Iqaluit residents.

Still, there was alcohol abuse, so the bars cut back their hours of operation. Still, there was alcohol abuse.

Now, a new business wants to start in Iqaluit and we hear all the same arguments: “Oh, kids will suffer,” and “We might be creating new alcoholics.” Silly, when you look at the town.

Now, a new bar won’t make things better or worse. It will give the town new tax revenue. It will employ local people and it will be “public,” removing the view that it’s only for member and their guests.

I think that’s something Iqaluit needs. As to the alcohol abuse issues, well, they’re still going to be here because they are private issues that individuals have to solve themselves.

Niel Langer
Iqaluit