Northwest Territories community waits on alcohol plebiscite

FORT SIMPSON, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES — Fort Simpson residents hoping to lift alcohol restrictions in the community say they are still waiting for a response from the territorial government to a plebiscite request.

More than 150 signatories sent a request for a plebiscite to the village council late last year. Permanent liquor restrictions in N.W.T. communities can only be amended by plebiscite (public vote).

The village’s restrictions were in place long before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The pandemic led to similar restrictions being imposed elsewhere in the N.W.T.

In April, a territory-wide daily spending cap and purchase limit – of $200 per day and up to six mickeys – was placed on alcohol sales at the territory’s liquor stores. The N.W.T. government said this was an attempt to reduce bootlegging, a longstanding issue, during the pandemic.

Those restrictions didn’t affect the store in Fort Simpson, where restrictions already existed. Currently, Fort Simpson residents have a daily limit of:

three 375-ml containers of spirits and 12 containers of beer; or

three 375-ml containers of spirits and two bottles of wine; or

two bottles of wine (max two litres) and 12 containers of beer; or

one bottle of wine and 24 containers of beer.

In December 2019, following receipt of the request from residents, village council passed a resolution asking the territory’s finance minister to hold a plebiscite regarding the cancellation of Fort Simpson’s liquor restrictions.

Mayor Sean Whelly says the village is still waiting to hear from the minister, Caroline Wawzonek.