Nunavut MLAs pass EU liquor ban

Members of Nunavut's legislature have responded to the European Union's import ban on seal products by passing a motion to ban the sale of liquor from EU countries.

The territorial government will now have to figure out how to address South Baffin MLA Fred Schell's motion, which was passed by regular, or non-cabinet, MLAs Thursday in the legislative assembly.

Schell's motion calls on the government to ban liquor fromEUnations from being sold in Nunavut.

Adopted by 27 European countries last year, the EU seal ban prohibits the trade of seal products from Canada and other sealing nations. It was introduced in part because anti-sealing campaigns accused Canada of conducting an inhumane seal hunt.

The EU ban provides a limited exemption for seal products derived from traditional Inuit hunts, but Inuit sealers and leaders have said such exemptions are not clear and the overall ban has still affected the Inuit seal hunt.

Speaking in the legislature on Thursday, Premier Eva Aariak said Schell should be applauded for bringing international attention to Nunavut's opposition of the EU seal ban.

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At the same time, Aariak and members of her cabinet abstained from the vote, in part because she said retaliating or seeking revenge goes against Inuit societal values.

"Although it is clear that the European Union has little respect or understanding of our culture or ways, this is no reason why we have to lower ourselves to that level," she said.

Aariak also said the government has been advised that a liquor ban would violate the World Trade Organization's general agreement on tariffs and trade, as well as breach an agreement between Canada and the European Economic Community on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Schell said while he was disappointed Aariak and cabinet did not vote in support of his motion, he is still happy it passed.

"I kind of thought the government was going to abstain because they've got to be a little careful, I guess, [with] how they do it. But I'm glad it got through," he said outside the legislature.

"I guess they have their reasons, but you know, at least they didn't vote no; they just abstained," he added. "I think deep in their heart most of them wanted to vote yes but, under some certain circumstances, I guess they couldn't."

But Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik said cabinet should have joined regular MLAs to support the motion, as the Inuit seal hunt affects all Inuit in Nunavut.

"I was hoping that we could show Nunavummiut that we're united on our efforts, and it was unfortunate that they chose to abstain on a very important matter," he said.