Kugaaruk voters choose to keep ban on alcohol

The majority of voters in Kugaaruk have decided to keep the community’s prohibition on alcohol.

Fifty-four per cent of voters in Monday’s liquor plebiscite preferred that alcohol remain outlawed in the community.

Under Nunavut’s Liquor Act, 60 per cent of voters were needed to vote in favour of allowing restricted quantities of liquor for a change to be made. The ballot in Kugaaruk proposed that access to beer and wine be permitted but that hard liquor remain prohibited, which would have been a first for the territory.

“Kugaaruk will remain prohibited, but if at a later date residents wish to revisit the
matter, a request for a new plebiscite can be sent to the minister of Finance,” said
Finance Minister George Hickes.