YELLOWKNIFE - Keeping the beer taps flowing is weighing more on the minds of some local bar owners and managers, rather than re-vamped liquor legislation, set to pass in August, that will make radical changes to how booze is regulated in the North.

While a revised NWT Liquor Act is expected to be passed this August, Dale Bardeau of the Black Knight Pub said keeping beer on tap remains his biggest concern. - NNSL file photo

"I'll tell you what the problem is," said Bob Ross, owner of Surly Bob's Sports Bar, on learning of the bill. "Too much government."

Aimed at putting more control in communities' hands over how liquor is bought and sold, the new liquor act will allow municipalities to make bylaws on bars' and other licensed establishments' hours, Sunday openings, patios, off-sales and entertainment.

If passed into law, which is expected, the status quo with respect to how liquor is handled in each community will be maintained. However, any changes, such as a move to allow Sunday openings beyond the six that bars are allotted each year, would require "voter approval" of 50 per cent plus one.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the cost to the city for such a plebiscite would be in the neighbourhood of $5,000.

"It will certainly be interesting to see where it goes," Van Tighem added.

Great Slave MLA Bill Braden, deputy chair of the Accountability and Oversight Committee that wrapped up public consultations on the new Liquor Act, said the law would be a "change in perspective."

"Communities need to have these discussions among themselves," Braden said. "That is hopefully where we can change some of the damage that has been done."

As for Ross and Black Knight manager Dale Bardeau, both told Yellowknifer maintaining an uninterrupted supply of kegs is the big problem facing city taverns and that business should continue as usual.