Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007
FORT NORMAN -
Tulita's hamlet council has passed a bylaw limiting how much alcohol residents can possess at any given time.
The bylaw, which members of the community have been pushing for a few years, is a response to on-going crime in the community, including a case of arson that burned down the Albert Wright school in September, according to Bobby Clement, band manager.
Quantity of alcohol allowable in 24-hour period
Combination 1: 1140 ml of spirits and 12 355 ml containers of beer
Combination 2: 1140 ml of spirits and two litres of wine
Combination 3: 12 355 ml containers of beer and two litres of wine
Combination 4: 24 355 ml containers of beer and one litre of wine.
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"We have too many problems with drugs and alcohol in this community," said Clement.
Clement said the community had made a few unsuccessful attempts to pass the bylaw. The bylaw was passed this time with 106 votes to 68, and 12 spoiled ballots. Clement said 62 per cent of the population came out to vote.
The plebiscite was held Oct. 30, and the rationing came into effect at midnight Nov. 18.
Arsene Menacho, the sub-chief in Tulita, said this is the third time the community tried to pass the bylaw.
"There's too much alcohol in town," said Menacho. "We convinced parents and teenagers to look at the bright side (of the ration)."
With the band supporting the ration since its inception, he said he hopes the rules help cut down on bootlegging.
RCMP Const. Jesse Gilbert said the bylaw gives RCMP a tool to investigate when large amounts of alcohol are being brought in.
"We've never had a shortage of tips when the liquor's coming in," he said. "Now we have a tool to deal with it."
Gilbert, who said he sees on a daily basis the negative effects of alcohol, said he was in strong support of the liquor ration.
"Virtually everything we go to is alcohol-related," said Gilbert. "I think we wouldn't have any work here if it wasn't for alcohol."
The new bylaw sets out that no person shall bring into the community more than any of the allowable combinations, or possess any amount exceeding the combination. Anyone who violates the bylaw can face a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
