Beer store regulations published
Decision on opening retail outlet in Iqaluit now up to cabinet
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, July 20, 2015
IQALUIT
The Department of Finance has set out the regulations for its proposed beer and wine store pilot project in Iqaluit as the idea moves forward for cabinet consideration.
The legal framework is now in place to allow
cabinet ministers to decide whether or not to open a beer and wine store at the Iqaluit liquor warehouse or elsewhere in the capital. -
NNSL file photo |
The regulations were published in the June 30 Nunavut Gazette.
The regulations are in line with what deputy minister Chris D'Arcy suggested in the wake of last year's petition asking the territory to consider the store.
They state that a beer and wine store will allow customers to purchase and immediately take home beer and wine. The store would be designated as a liquor store. It can be open from noon until 7 p.m. any day except for holidays.
Any adult may apply to the finance minister for an account to purchase products from the store by providing a home address and presenting photo ID. All customers must have an account to make a purchase, and all purchases will be recorded on their account.
The limit per day will be 12 cans or bottles of beer up to 500 mL per can or bottle, and two bottles of wine up to 1L each.
For clarity, the regulations stipulate that "no person shall purchase and no vendor shall sell any liquor other than beer and wine at the Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store."
The regulations give cabinet ministers the legal framework to decide whether the proposed pilot project should go ahead.
"At this time, they still have not made any decision on if or when they will do a pilot project, so basically right now we're waiting and we don't have a set timeline when they will make, or if they will make, a decision to open a store," said Government of Nunavut comptroller Jeff Chown.
