PANGNIRTUNG/RANKIN INLET - Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet rejected changes to their existing alcohol restrictions in plebiscites held Oct. 26.

Pangnirtung residents voted resoundingly in favour of remaining one of seven dry communities in Nunavut, along with Arviat, Coral Harbour, Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven, Kimmirut and Sanikiluaq.

Roughly 85 per cent of Pangnirtung's eligible voters took part in the plebiscite. Seventy per cent voted to stay dry, and 30 per cent voted to establish an alcohol education committee, which would allow and regulate liquor imports into town.

According to the Nunavut Liquor Act, a plebiscite is held when residents submit a petition with at least 20 signatures on it calling for a change to local liquor laws. Hamlet administrator Ron Mongeau said this plebiscite was called by a petition which contained 106 signatures of eligible Pangnirtung voters.

Despite the community's dry status, Pangnirtung RCMP detachment commander Cpl. Jason Doucette estimated 70 to 75 per cent of the most serious crimes in Pangnirtung are alcohol-related, not including calls of domestic disturbances where no arrests are made, or where police simply encounter a drunk person while on patrol.

"We deal with a lot of drunk people, so that's all bootleggers," said Doucette.

The detachment busts bootleggers where possible, mostly based off tips from within the community so they can intercept liquor when it arrives at the airport.

In Rankin Inlet, on the question of allowing the sale of beer in their hamlet, 217 (52 per cent) said yes and 197 (48 per cent) said no. A yes vote of 60 per cent or higher is required to change current regulations.

Rankin voters were also asked if they wanted to authorize the Liquor Licensing Board to grant dining room licences so patrons could order alcohol with their meals.

A total of 220 (53 per cent) voted in favour, while 195 (47 per cent) voted against, defeating the option with less than 60 per cent support.

Only 418 voters, 31 per cent of those eligible, cast ballots in the plebiscite.