Liquor vote should include all Sahtu communities, says MLA

The Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce says a proposal to change the Liquor Act for the Sahtu region isn't fair.

The region's MLA, Norman Yakeleya, wants all the Sahtu communities to have a say on alcohol sales in the region's only liquor store, which is located in Norman Wells.

Yakeleya says since the Town of Norman Wells lifted liquor sale restrictions a year and a half ago, there have been more problems with alcohol in the Sahtu region.

"We need concrete action now," he said.

The changes would allow communities outside of Norman Wells to vote on how much booze the store there can sell.

Yakeleya says the entire region shops in Norman Wells, so everyone should have a say.

Chris Buist, the president of the Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce, says the changes are targeting the small business.

"If legislation is required, it should be territorial and not regionally diverse in design," he said.

Buist says people will go elsewhere, like Yellowknife or Inuvik, for booze. There are no alcohol restrictions in those communities.

The Mayor of Norman Wells says the town will discuss the proposed changes at its next council meeting.

Until then, council is not commenting on the proposed bill.