Another Nunavut community to vote on ending alcohol prohibition
Kugaaruk will host plebiscite on whether to allow residents to buy limited amounts of beer and wine
On Feb. 25, Kugaaruk voters will decide if they want to keep prohibition or move to a system that allows restricted amounts of beer and wine into the community of about 900 people. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut Tourism)
Residents of Kugaaruk will weigh in on the Kitikmeot community’s liquor rules in a February plebiscite.
Kugaaruk is one of six communities in Nunavut that outright prohibits alcohol.
On Feb. 25, voters will decide if they want to keep that system or allow restricted amounts of beer and wine into the community of about 900 people.
Under Nunavut’s general liquor laws, that restricted system would limit the amount an individual can purchase to four litres of wine and nine litres of beer each week. Spirits would remain prohibited under the system.
Residents can vote in an advance poll on Feb. 18 at Kugaaruk’s hamlet office from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or on the plebiscite day, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.
The question that will appear on the ballots reads as follows: Are you in favour of replacing the current prohibition system in Kugaaruk with a system that restricts quantities of beer and wine and prohibits spirits?
A shift to a new system will require at least 60 per cent of the votes cast to be in favour of the change.
Voters who are away from home during the vote can request a proxy form on the Elections Nunavut website.
Kugaaruk will be the second Nunavut community to vote in a liquor plebiscite next month. Voters in Sanikiluaq will also decide on Feb.4 if they want to replace prohibition with a system that restricts the amount of alcohol residents can bring in.
With the amount of travel in and out of communities prohibition is not a sustainable model for our communities.Bootlegging and illegal importing is rampant. as everyone knows None of the communities are dry. The booze flows freely.
Prohibition has never worked.
Unfortunately there are individuals in ever hamlet, community and City all over the world that shouldn’t drink. Imposing prohibitions do not stop these people from drinking. Dry communities all over Nunavut have problems with alcohol.
Forcing people to relocate or telling people to leave if you don’t like it dry is not the answer, but there are many people in EVERY NUNAVUT community that want their community dry.
I can imagine what the prices will be like to ship a flat a beer and a gallon of wine to Kugarruk. I think they’ll stick to bootleg. Probably still cheaper and more “bang for the buck”.
Would it be legal to make beer or wine, within legal limits
in Kugarruk ?
Prohibition makes Nunavut a very lucrative venue for corruption.
I am not commenting on Prohibition.
Think very carefully about your decision
The Beer and Wine store here may be producing revenue for the GN, however, it has had a devastating effect on some Iqaluingmiut.
Many more drunks, beating up their spouses, staggering around on the streets, assaulting others and becoming a real nuisance.
Shelter are full!
Too much alcohol stuns the brain and shuts down certain parts of it.
The numbers have jumped in Iqaluit; trouble happens when people drink because alcohol shuts down portions of the brain:
– impulse control is lost – people get an inappropriate idea and then act on it
– inhibition control is lost – people do anything they want to do
– balance is lost – people stagger around, scaring others and could freeze to death when they pass out
– anger management control is also lost – people become argumentative and look for things to get angry about
– beating control is lost – people turn on their own families and friends and assault them
Ask yourself what kind of community you want before you vote?
Thank you