GN seeks ‘better’ site for Iqaluit beer and wine store
Current store has ‘long outlived its purpose,’ says Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak
The Department of Finance plans to begin the search for a new Iqaluit beer and wine store location this coming year, Minister Lorne Kusugak says. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
The Government of Nunavut is looking for a new location for Iqaluit’s beer and wine store, says Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak.
“It’s there because that’s where the beer and wine was stored, I guess,” Kusugak said, referring to the store’s Allannguaq Street location in the city’s downtown area. “But, it’s long outlived its purpose.”
Kusugak, whose department oversees the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission, shared the news during a legislative assembly committee Monday. It came as MLAs were discussing the Finance Department’s $111-million budget and business plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
A couple of years ago, the GN was in talks with a property owner interested in selling a unit that could be used as a new store, Kusugak said, but those plans changed.
Now, the minister says, the department continues to look for what he describes as a “better location.”
Kusugak said he doesn’t have a new site in mind.
“I think we need to be a little more aggressive in finding a better location for it,” Kusugak said.
“The location where it’s at, it’s out in the corner of a spot where the traffic flow just doesn’t work there. So hopefully, we’ll find something a little more suitable.”
Public safety — including instances of violence, theft and public drinking — has been a recurring issue around the beer and wine store in recent years, at the legislative assembly and at city council.
During this winter sitting, Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone, whose riding includes the store, has repeated his calls for increased safety measures around the store, especially during the summer.
“That’s really great to hear, that you’re allocating a budget specifically for looking into relocating the beer and wine store,” Lightstone said during Monday’s meeting.
Kusugak said he doesn’t have a “hard timeline” for the search.
On Tuesday, he said that in the short-term his department will work with the city on traffic and safety issues.
“We’ll see what the city wants to do or is doing with the situation and we’ll participate,” Kusugak said.
“People have to be safe in the city, so our department will do what it can to make sure that at the minimum they are safe going in and out of the beer and wine store.”
Study, Study, Study. Let’s spend some money on a study, and consultation first.
Tundra valley or right out front the Leg is my suggestions
Do you even know where is Tundra Valley? Maybe put it on the plateau neighbourhood!
Tundra Valley is way too far from my house AND my workplace.
Next door to the Legislative Assembly would be great.
Put it right next to the RCMP building or the legislative assembly. LOL
they need a second location , for less lines , less time in the cold , feeling like a chump , just to get couple beers.
would also be nice if they actually designed it like a beer store in south …walk in fridge and beer is cold . buying warm beer is bs lol
I find this interesting how the GN is trying to say they are looking for a better location for the beer and wine store when last year they pretty much decided where the new beer and wine store will be going, the warehouse full of beer and wine behind the old canadrill building that has been sitting empty for months now and closed off for renovation seem to have been picked by the GN.
Yeah it’s time to move it. That area people always get attacked or mugged. It’s such a safety issue. I’m glad a minister is asking for more safety, it’s gotten worse the last few years in that area. Apartment and office buildings also face issues of the homeless population who cause scenes. Being drunk, stealing and at times being aggressive to ask for smokes. We shouldn’t be scared to walk in our home town. Need more support at community level, more community watch maybe? RCMP seems to be too busy with the craziness.
Keep bringing it up, especially those child offenders. They need to stop bringing them to Iqaluit!!
man , moderators dont like me bringing up that there is no NU LIQOUR TAX,…. what a silly Govnt
Is the government moderating the comments now?
THEW NEWS PAPER DOES . BUT ITS 100% VALID QUESTION … WHY NO TAX ON BOOZE.
How about locating the new alcoholic-beverages store over in the general area of the existing landfill site, on Akilliq Drive? There is ample industrial-type space in that general area. And, it is far enough from the downtown area, thereby ensuring safety.
Also, by locating the new store here, then people will be able to easily bring their old bottles and cans for collection, in preparation for eventual (future) shipping-out for recycling.
Distance from populated areas, requiring potentially-intoxicated customers to drive or take long, cold walks, doesn’t sound like something that would increase safety overall.
I see what you mean, but please consider the following:
1. Distance from populated areas will mean less likelihood of random inebriated people harassing the sober purchasers of alcohol.
2. For safer operating hours, make the store open from 11am to 3pm daily, thereby correlating more closely with daylight hours. No sales during pitch-dark times.
3. Because Akilliq Drive would be the sole means of road access, it would be easy for the RCMP to set up a checkstop point (during store-open hours) to catch inebriated drivers. (Furthermore, the store should not be selling alcohol to inebriated people anyway.) Drunk driving can be dealt with by the criminal justice system (we have the facilities right here in town). Giving first-time drunk drivers a twenty-year driving ban would send a clear message.
4. Another option for safety would be to make the store “delivery only”. In other words, customers order online, and the alcohol is delivered from the warehouse directly to their home. In this way, there would be zero worries associated with people visiting a retail store or warehouse. And, there would be zero worries about drunk driving associated with the purchasing process itself. Plus, there would be zero worries about an intoxicated person freezing to death while on the way to or while returning from the point of purchase.
5. Another advantage of the “delivery only” model is that known alcoholics would be refused business. Only people with a history of responsible behaviour would be customers. And, the online ordering process, which would entail proof of identity, would protect against the safety risks of cash-handling.
6. Given the enormous and tragic harm of alcohol in Nunavut (including the cascading intergenerational costs), I think we should tackle the “engineered consumption” (also known as “manufactured demand”) that underpins this intrinsically illegitimate market (i.e. ethanol serves no nutritional purpose). For inspiration on how to attack the marketing, we can look at how cigarettes are packaged and sold. There are many insights that NULC could transfer to its retailing activities, especially now that a new store is being planned.
I never understood why bars have parking lots?
This beer store could use a larger one for sure. Or a drive through window.
It’s inhumane to make people wait for hours in sub Zero temperatures to purchase government beverages. Only to get robbed on their walk home. Sadly people I know have been severely hurt.
Alcohol and it’s impacts are felt at all levels in this community.
Cheers 🍻 to the drinkers and
“One day at a time” to those of you who need to hear it.
If I go the bar and do not drink or I go for a beer and a burger to watch the game, why should I not be able to park and drive myself? We should not have to legislate common sense.
“I never understood why bars have parking lots?”
Bars are often restaurants too, and where else would you put bars but in locations zoned for commercial business? Most bars are next to other businesses that do need parking. Also think of taxis waiting for patrons and groups with designated drivers that must park somewhere.
The new location has to just as secure as the Big House. No joke…summer is down right scary to walk home even for short distance.
Somewhere far away from the homeless shelter. What moron thought that was a good idea?
It would be nice if the new location had a drive thru option. Or if the new location could have a delivery type service.
Do like in Kuujuuaq and put it in the Co-op or NorthMart. Convenient for shoppers.
I used to buy , my beer at the co-op , but all ways, wait in a long , due to lack of cashiers , now i go to the beer store , in and out in 5 mins.
Decentralization!
Put the beer and wine store in Grise Fiord.
In-store, in-person shopping only.
And “we only accept cash.”
“No shoes, no shirt, no service.”
Put it next to damp shelter. Less walk for them. Close to where they can sleep it off.
i thought they were gonna move across the weed store on federal road ? its empty and waiting for them
How many customers go outside and start drinking what they purchased? These are the people that will require additional care and resources. As if iqaluit needs the b&w near canadrill. Only takes one person to pass out on their way back to town and freeze to death in the winter.
Plus the distance to get back will increase the likelihood of being attack and mugged.
I don’t know the solution. But having it located far from town will create its own disasters and challenges
The hard drugs, meth, speed, cocaine/crack use need to be a subject open in public and private discussions. The harm it does can be better managed and dealt with in this way. To downplay the harm by not speaking about it would only make things that much worst. It is our community, our children so be and stay involved.
How about the road to nowhere near the target range?
Something needs to be done about the beer and wine store in general. Why are they letting so many intoxicated people hang around outside?
I literally do not feel safe going there, the discovery, or the gas bar anymore. Two days ago I was approached by an intoxicated person while pumping gas at gas bar. The individual made me very frightened for my safety, getting into my face and screaming that I would be the reason they die because I refused to buy them a bag of chips.
Not sure that moving the store is the answer here, but would really help make the downtown core a bit safer if they could move it and implement security measures. Several people are drinking their Molson’s the minute they leave the store in broad daylight. Like come on.
Put it where it belongs, in the dump!
….put the new location at Molson Inlet LOL!
Rent the building from the co-op
They have two perhaps ask them
The old candy store
Or the old sugar shack