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Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services
 Sgt. Mike Jeffrey said having a liquor store won't get rid of bootleggers, who will continue to work after-hours. - Jennifer Mcphee/NNSL photo |
Jeffrey made the recommendations to a government committee last week.
The committee is reviewing recommendations from the Nunavut Liquor Licensing on changes to the Nunavut Liquor Act.
Public consultations took place last week and the committee will report to the legislative assembly during the fall or winter session.
At the consultations, Jeffrey said the police give tickets to bar-owners who over-serve. However, there is no functioning liquor committee in Iqaluit that holds these people accountable.
"We have the law, but even if we give tickets, nothing is being done."
Jeffrey said stricter penalties for bootleggers would also help.
"A bootlegger doesn't care who he is selling liquor to. He might sell liquor to a minor or someone who is already intoxicated," he said. "If you make $1,000 a night selling liquor, the fine shouldn't be $500."
Convicted bootleggers should not be allowed to bring liquor into the community legally for a set period of time, he added.
And he said having one designated place through which all people order liquor would help police track sales in the community.
"People should be allowed to drink and consume liquor," said Jeffrey. "We think people should have that right. What we are concerned about is overconsumption."
According to Jeffrey, alcohol is responsible for at least 80 per cent of crime in Nunavut.
But committee member Enoki Irqittuq, the MLA for Iglulik and Hall Beach, said setting limits only tempts people to break them.
"As Canadians we have the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," he said. "There is infringements on our rights just because we live up here in Nunavut and Iqaluit. It's something I'm not happy about."
