Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (Mar 11/02) - Facing charges for alcohol possession, the mayor of Gjoa Haven wants the liquor laws changed.

"The last plebiscite on alcohol was not proper. It was done by a show of hands at the community hall five years ago," said Joseph Aglukkaq, who admitted to having one 40-ounce bottle of alcohol in his possession at the time of his arrest.

In a March 5 court appearance in the Kitikmeot community, Aglukkaq pleaded not guilty. A trial was set for June 18.

Under the Nunavut Liquor Act, Gjoa Haven is a prohibited community and alcohol is illegal.

RCMP in the hamlet said Aglukkaq was originally charged July 18, 2001, but because the Nunavut Court of Justice travels into the hamlet just three times a year, a significant delay resulted.

When contacted at his home, Aglukkaq said alcohol regulations in the community are outdated and the charge against him was wrong.

He said he is waiting for community members to request another plebiscite -- an event he said was needed given the amount of alcohol in the hamlet. He said people constantly use alcohol and are being forced to break the law.

"It's supposed to be a dry town, but it's not. Every Friday there's people drinking and there's drinking during the week, too," he said.

"Rather than hiding it, we should be trying to control it."

While the charge does not disqualify Aglukkaq from running for president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in the March 25 election, the board of directors could ask him to resign if he is convicted.

Chief returning officer Paul Emingak said the board would decide what to do if Aglukkaq wins the election and is convicted of the charge.