Plebiscite results mean liquor prohibitions continue in Arviat and Coral Harbour
Votes fell short of the 60% needed to change current liquor regulations
In Arviat, the current liquor regulations remain in force, because fewer than 60 per cent of those who voted in a Nov. 9 plebiscite supported a change from prohibition to a restricted status. (File photo)
Updated, 10:20 a.m.
Two communities in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region will not see any changes to their local liquor regulations, following the results of two plebiscites on Monday, Nov. 9.
Under Nunavut’s Liquor Act, at least 60 per cent of a community’s eligible voters need to vote in favour of a change in order to enact any changes.
But Elections Nunavut reported late on Nov. 9 that the votes in Arviat and Coral Harbour fell short of the percentage needed for them to end their current prohibition of alcohol:
• In Arviat, only 52.6 per cent of eligible voters said they wanted to move away from a prohibited liquor system to one where residents could purchase limited quantities of alcohol to be brought into the community.
• In Coral Harbour, only 43.6 per cent voted for a similar change.
Arviat’s voter turnout was 59 per cent, with 745 valid votes cast: 392 of these voters, or 52.6 per cent, wanted to see change, and 353, or 47.4 per cent, voted against change.
There were five rejected ballots, Elections Nunavut said.
In Arviat, the proposed new limits would have allowed residents to order in 8.5 litres of beer (twenty-four 355-ml cans) or eight litres of wine (ten 750-ml bottles) every seven days.
Coral Harbour’s voter turnout was 78 per cent, with 337 valid voter cast: 147 of these voters, or 43.6 per cent, wanted to see change, and 190, or 56.4 per cent, voted against change.
In Coral Harbour, the proposed new limits would have allowed residents to order in 18 litres of beer or four litres of wine or one litre of spirits every 14 days.
Across Nunavut, there are still six communities that prohibit alcohol, including Arviat and Coral Harbour, 12 communities that restrict alcohol and seven unrestricted communities.
Note: the numbers have changed slightly from an earlier version of this story because the results have since been certified. “There is a change to the Yes and No numbers for Coral Harbour, but the outcome (not meeting the 60 per cent threshold) still remains,” said Dustin Fredlund of Elections Nunavut.
Congratulations, there are pros and cons to keeping it that way, more pro’s i would summize. as long as its not free flowing. they know thier own communities. i would like a beer and wine store for here, but only when our town can prove they can handle it.
Bootleggers must be happy
The bootleggers do well regardless. Just because liquor is available by legal means doesn’t change the fact that the customers are impulse buyers who appreciate the convenience factor.
52% is no longer a majority???? LOL. The majority of voters voted in favour of change but they still lose. Go Figure!!!!!!! Trumpish at best LOL
So no beer no wine with (5-7% alcohol), everybody will go back to the hard stuff (30-40% alcohol) from the bootleggers and the problems continue.
Good luck with that
What ever happened to Democracy where you are required to have 50% + 1 to go ahead on what was voted on. Who holds the strings?
Nobody said 52% isn’t a majority. They said 52% is not 60%, which is what was needed to make the change.
Why is it set up so 60% is the critical number though? 52% is a majority so, why shouldn’t the majority carry the vote?
Because for an important decision like this the majority of the community needs to be on board. and with %59 percent voting rate that means only %33 of the voting pop voted for the change.
The math
750 voted/1192 total could vote=%59
392 voted yes / 1192 total could vote = %33
that is to low to prove that the community as a whole desires the change.
That is why everyone voting at elections is so important.
A lot of people voted against opening sales up, very telling. Prohibition failed in the South and resulted in criminal cartels becoming very powerful, to the point of buying politicians/police. It did not work; but to compare their situation to a Northern community is a stretch, to say the least. Best of luck.
Arviat and Coral Harbour ensuring the continuation of a robust and thriving black market for bootleg alcohol. And they’re going to pat themselves on the back like this is a victory. At least they’ll be able to feel morally superior to the communities that want to reduce crime instead of imposing their morals on others. Bootleggers rejoice!
In Kuujjuaq , Nunavik , it s $60. I guess it the cost of getting it there
Lot of people are intimidated by bootleggers !!
What can we do ?
Who has the answer ?
No experts with advice ?
Learn from Iqaluit first and prepare for what we are seeing everyday. I have come close to running over drunk people on the road, I have neighbor who are drunk all the time and have regular visits from the police and ambulance. I have coworkers not showing up or showing up to work smelling like alcohol. Yes its impacting every being of our Inuit society only because we chose to be part of the canadian society norm but some of us are just not ready for it. Another form of cultural genocide
here is the part that confuses me. Up until just recently weed was illegal across Canada, when they made it legal it automatically, without question, pot was available in dry communities. People walking around stoned out of their minds, smoking in public, stoned at work….why no vote on that?
Nevada sob ,since legalization,people are walking around,driving stoned everywhere in canada,this is not a unique Nunavut issue.
Congratulations to the bootleggers! Prohibition does not work; education does work.
Open the walls to churchill, respect the legal walls, been through alot. Federally, arviats been through alot. They have that spirit, but inuit can lead, just like northern quebec, rest of inuit communities, but its just the walls too close to manitoba.