Debates of May 26, 2005 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my Member’s statement today. My question is to the Minister of Finance. On the sale of alcohol and liquor in the Northwest Territories, specifically the contracted liquor stores, how is the sale of alcohol controlled in the Northwest Territories with the contracted vendors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I could probably get into a long response into how the contracts are controlled. Basically as they are set out there’s a prescribed number of hours, as well as a list of products that could be for sale in the Northwest Territories. Through that we would have our Liquor Commission hold the product and ship it out to the contractors throughout the Northwest Territories. The list of product that is available for sale is determined by the department. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Minister. Are the communities somewhat consulted about how the liquor is sold when it is brought into the communities in terms of the product that is on sale? How are the communities consulted with the sale of alcohol in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first and foremost it would be through the request or our fees that are issued regarding the sale of products; so when those contracts come available. As well, from time to time the Assembly will hold public hearings on it if there are changes to the act, and in fact we are going through that process and will be going throughout the communities in the Territories and trying to get input as to the Liquor Act and its changes. But for the actual product of what is available for sale, I can’t recall myself in my time as Minister of Finance, if in fact there was some survey done on the product. So I would have to give that information at a later time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask Minister Roland if he would consider acting on the ban of overproof alcohol in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu region where there is considerably high concern in two of my communities, and acting on it right away even pending the review of the Liquor Act. This is an urgent problem in the Sahtu region, Mr. Speaker, and we don’t need to wait for consultants to tell us this. Would the Minister consider acting right away on this request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in speaking to the Member and the issue that he has raised about the sale of overproof products in the stores throughout the Northwest Territories, that’s something I will take into serious consideration. There may be a number of ways in trying to deal with this, but I will look at that and work with the Member on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider looking at a controlled ban on the sale of overproof alcohol in the Northwest Territories, and look at some of the problems that are caused by the sale of overproof alcohol in our communities? Would he consider an all out ban once and for all in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 12-15(4): Control Of NWT Liquor Sales

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would consider that as we look at the matter of our products that we have for sale in the Territories. Thank you.