Debates but no consensus on curbing public drinking in Iqaluit

Members of Iqaluit’s public safety committee discussed tightening the amount of alcohol a person can buy in a day in light of reported violence around the beer and wine store, but did not land on an agreement about whether it’s the right move.

The committee — made up of city staff, councillors and representatives from the Government of Nunavut, RCMP and various local non-profits — met Thursday afternoon for the first time this year.

The beer and wine store has become a “focal point” of public safety issues, said Coun. Amber Aglukark, who chairs the committee.

She suggested the store should cut in half its current daily purchase limits limit — a measure implemented last year in Rankin Inlet.

Aglukark’s suggestions also included continuing an awareness campaign that promotes “zero tolerance” for public drinking as well as more RCMP enforcement around the store and more funding for mental health and addiction services. She also recalled Coun. Kyle Sheppard last year raising the possibility of a temporary alcohol ban.

Deputy Mayor Kim Smith questioned the effect of limiting how much alcohol customers can buy.

“There’s been a national mental health crisis that’s resulted in significant amounts of alcohol abuse, drug abuse,” Smith said.

“I’m not sure what the answer is but I do think that public awareness and just improving the mental health of our community through recreation, programming, access to spaces — I think these are the things that help treat the underlying issues instead of just the symptoms of it.”

Increased policing to deter public drinking in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet resulted in a “significant reduction” in incidents in both communities, said committee member Sgt. Rob Daly of the RCMP.

However, he questioned the effectiveness of a daily limit, suggesting people may go to the store “twice as often.”

“You’re still going to have people drinking in public. It is what it is,” Daly said.

Committee member Sherri Robertson, who is the YWCA Agvik executive director, suggested the store should have a list of customers barred from service if they have been involved in incidents of violence.

She recalled working at a restaurant in the 1990s that kept a list of people not to serve.

Thursday’s hour-long meeting also covered concerns of loitering around the city’s grocery stores as well as the need to improve control of loose dogs.

The public safety committee’s next scheduled meeting is Oct. 7.