Chief Rita Cli said LKFN council would prefer to have a plebiscite on the issue in conjunction with a June 21 band election.

However, Finance Minister Joe Handley, whose department oversees the Liquor Act, told the Drum that he'd rather avoid a plebiscite, which would cost the village at least $2,500.

"It just isn't necessary ... you want to save plebiscites for major issues," Handley said Monday. "It's really a municipal issue, but we'd like to respect (the LKFN's) wishes if we can ... I don't want to cross the chief and council. They represent a big percentage of the population."

Cli maintained that a plebiscite is imperative because band members must be allowed to express their views.

"When people come out for (the LKFN) election, that's the time to make them decide," she said, adding that picture ballots with proper translation could be used for those who aren't literate in English.

"We've had a rationing system this long, what's another few months?"

Motion to annul

Village council passed a motion in November to have liquor rationing lifted. The Commissioner of the NWT imposed the measure, intended as a one-year trial, nearly 25 years ago. Although alcohol restrictions remain, what were once weekly limits have become daily limits.

Mayor Tom Wilson noted that a plebiscite was never held to introduce rationing, so it's not needed to rescind it. He added that some village councillors are concerned that a plebiscite held with a band election would only entitle band members to vote, not the general public.

In December, the LKFN surveyed more than 400 Fort Simpson residents regarding liquor rationing. Most supported lifting the limitations. Nevertheless, Cli said, the First Nation's mandate is to represent its own membership, not the entire village.

"We're not transients. We're going to be buried here," she said. "You can't have transients make the decision for us."

Cli also mentioned that outlying communities such as Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Wrigley will be affected by the liquor rationing decision.

Handley said removing alcohol restrictions shouldn't result in havoc in Fort Simpson or elsewhere. He argued that people who want greater quantities of alcohol already know ways to circumvent existing limits.

"I don't think that kind of liquor rationing works, quite honestly. I think people have to be responsible for their own actions," said Handley.

He said he will consult further with Wilson and Cli to find a solution.