Kuujjuaq mayor faces impaired driving charge

Mayor Larry Watt will appear in Kuujjuaq court on August 24 to face a charge of impaired driving. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

The mayor of Kuujjuaq, Larry Watt, faces a charge of impaired driving in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred June 25 in Kuujjuaq.

Watt was not officially charged with the offense until July 27, Marie-Chantale Brassard, the acting chief prosecutor for northern Quebec’s traveling court, confirmed today.

If convicted, Watt faces carries a minimum fine of $1,000 and the loss of his driver’s license for a year.

Watt talked about the impaired driving charge on the FM community radio outlet in Kuujjuaq Aug. 11. He also spoke to the Kuujjuaq council about it during a special meeting held Aug. 10.

“I was delivered a summons for an arraignment hearing for one count of impaired driving. I was never placed under arrest,” Watt told Nunatsiaq News in an email.

Watt, who was first elected as mayor in 2005, faces another election this November, if he chooses to run.

Throughout the summer, Kuujjuaq has seen many other serious vehicle collisions, most of them involving young males and alcohol.

On Sunday, July 26, a vehicle driven by an 18-year old ran into another parked vehicle and house, causing extensive damage to both vehicles and the house.

The driver, a young male, was arrested and appeared before a judge by telephone.

Ilec Airo, who is also Watt’s eldest son, faces three charges related to the July 26 incident, including impaired driving.

Released on conditions, he will be appear again in court Aug. 24 in Kuujjuaq.

On Monday July 27, a vehicle driving at a high speed flipped over, causing serious injury to the passenger, who was medivaced to Montreal.

Sources in Kuujjuaq said the injured passenger, a young woman, was thrown out of the vehicle through the windshield and suffered serious damage to her back.

The driver of the vehicle, a minor, appeared before a judge and was released with conditions.

The youth will return to court in Kuujjuaq this month.