Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Coppermine (Oct 13/03) - Hamlet officials blame an outdated bylaw that allows a hotel and restaurant to operate in Kugluktuk without a business licence.

"We've got a very old business licencing bylaw; it needs revisiting in the worst way,"said Cal Shaw, SAO for the hamlet.

The bylaw does not allows the hamlet to shut a non-complying business, he said.

"Our bylaw has no measures other than taking them to court. We're looking at that right now if they don't comply," Shaw said.

Nunavut's Department of Sustainable Development also has a role to play, making sure businesses like the hotel in Kugluktuk comply with the Tourism Act.

Steve Hanna, the department's representative in Kugluktuk, did not return calls. Kugluktuk bylaw officer George Westwood told News North last week he felt frustrated he could not do his job and get the hotel to comply.

The hotel at the centre of the licencing controversy is not an on-going business, and is only open one or two days a week, Shaw said.

"If someone is throwing a feast or renting a hall and looking at a catered meal, that is where it is prepared," he said.

The Nunavut education department had 15 teachers stay at the unlicensed hotel over a week ago.

"It's being looked into," said Peter Geike, deputy minister of education.

Sandy Buchan, head of the Kitikmeot Community Corp. which runs the hotel, did not return calls.