Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 31/00) - Two months after community members spoke out against the possible opening of a new bar in Iqaluit, the Nunavut Liquor Board announced they would deny the application for a liquor license.

Goo Arlooktoo, the chair of the Liquor Board, said based upon the great deal of public opposition -- expressed both at a public hearing and in written form -- the board had no choice but to deny the applicants.

"We went through an extensive consultation process and we talked to the RCMP, town engineers, health officials and others," said Arlooktoo, shortly after making the decision last Thursday.

"Everything pointed to the fact that we could not approve the application at this time."

Calling themselves the Uvagut Bar, the applicants had wanted to open a cocktail lounge on the outskirts of Iqaluit in the West 40 area of town. The proposed bar was immediately met with enough controversy that the board organized and held a public meeting early in December.

Close to 200 people turned out and of the 31 who made presentations, a total of 22 strongly opposed the issuing of a license.

"The board and I decided we would give the public hearings real meaning. We put a lot of weight to what the public said," noted Arlooktoo.

"Alcohol is a very emotional issue that local people need to have a say on."

Arlooktoo also said the board did additional research and after reviewing the hearing's transcripts and talking to various officials, they realized the decision was an obvious one.

"I thought it would be a difficult decision, but it was clear. The decision was made for us," he said.

Because of Nunavut Health Act regulations, the close proximity of the bar to the town's sewage lagoon would have prevented the necessary permits from being issued.

The proponents of the bar now have the option of taking the ruling to the Supreme Court level of the Nunavut Court of Justice for appeal.

Elisapee Sheutiapik, one of the hopeful owners, said the group planned to meet with their lawyer to review the decision.

"We'll go from there, but it's not over. We're not giving up," said Sheutiapik.

Adding that she was disappointed, but not surprised, by the decision, Sheutiapik accused board members of being biased.

"I had a feeling from the public hearing because of the body language of some of the Liquor Board members. I observe people a lot and I had a feeling it would go this way."