The Town of Inuvik has voted in favour of a motion to extend its liquor store’s hours of operation for the summer, including some opening hours on Sundays.
On April 29, the town received a letter from finance minister Caroline Wawzonek – whose department oversees the management of liquor in the NWT – asking for comments or concerns about the town liquor store’s request for extended summer operating hours.
After council discussion last week, it was established that the updated schedule will include Sundays from 2-6pm as well as statutory holidays, beginning in June and continuing through the end of September.
The liquor store owners initially requested the Sunday opening time be noon. Deputy mayor Steven Baryluk recommended that be pushed back by two hours in acknowledgement of those involved in church services.
A few councillors supported the liquor store’s request during a meeting on Monday last week, noting that the extended hours would last for only four months and could help the business earn additional revenue during the summer tourist season.
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Others felt adding one more day of operation may not have a significant social impact in the town, considering it is not a permanent change.
“I don’t think that’s the case” that extending liquor store hours necessarily results in more drinking, said councillor Kendall McDonald.
“The issues are there and the hours of the liquor store aren’t going to affect it that much.”
Councillor Alana Mero asked if the town had an option to seek feedback from the public. To this, Mayor Peter Clarkson said the minister’s office wanted a response from council by May 9 and he wasn’t aware of other consultations with residents.
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Councillor Jenn Parrott said she felt the change may not result in any substantial economic benefit for the town, concurring with Mero’s suggestion to ask locals. Clarkson advised councillors to consult with community members before a motion was brought forward.
At a separate meeting two days later, Mero said she heard feedback that many were not supportive of the idea “and felt like it was actually going to encourage drinking.”
Baryluk said he had a different experience, where the people he heard from were indifferent about the changes.
While some locals strongly felt the hours should remain the same, McDonald said others he contacted leaned on it being open.
Ultimately, the town passed the motion to approve the request.
‘A rest day’
Some residents of Inuvik pushed back against that decision.
“I seriously don’t think they should be for it,” Gail Ann Raddi told Cabin Radio. “Yellowknife doesn’t even have its liquor store open on Sundays. Our communities are suffering as it is with all of the addictions going on.”
Raddi said the town’s decision to accept the extended hours to support tourism does not sit well with her.
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According to her, most visitors pass through the community on their way to Tuktoyaktuk. She feels even those who stay rarely make a separate trip to the liquor store – especially when the local bar, The Mad Trapper, is open on Sundays.
“We don’t need a liquor store on a Sunday, it’s a rest day,” she said. “Six days a week is good enough.”
Lenora McLeod said Sundays offer people a chance to be sober and spend quality time with their families.
McLeod believes Inuvik has “far more things to offer” to tourists than simply keeping the liquor store open a few extra hours. She feels the community should have been given more time to discuss the changes before a decision was made.
“Having a liquor store open on Sundays, especially throughout the summer, takes away the opportunity to not fall off the wagon,” she said.
“The argument that it’s for tourism, I don’t think is a strong enough argument, in my opinion. We’re a small community and that’s part of our charm. You come to the North and the liquor store is not open on a Sunday. We’re not a southern community where you have thousands and thousands of people.
“If our only thing to provide is for the liquor store to be open on a Sunday, then maybe we need to re-evaluate things.”
