WHAT WE HEARD A public consultation report Working towards meaningful recommendations for changes to the Nunavut Liquor Act Photographs are courtesy of Esau Tatatoapik –Vice Chair Liquor Act Review Task Force, Arctic Bay. Document prepared by North Sky Consulting Group Ltd., March, 2012. WHAT WE HEARD REPORT Nunavut Liquor Act Review Task Force Contents Message from the Chair ............................................................................................................................... vi FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................. vii ENGAGING NUNAVUMMIUT ........................................................................................................................ 1 A LOOK BACK - A STARTING POINT .............................................................................................................. 7 SYNOPSIS OF COMMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 9 a) Universal Comments ................................................................................................................... 10 b) Common Comments –Restricted Communities.......................................................................... 10 c) Common Comments –Prohibited Communities ......................................................................... 10 d) Common Comments –Unrestricted Communities ...................................................................... 11 e) Divergent philosophies –all communities ................................................................................... 11 f) Common Comments – Local Government .................................................................................. 11 g) Common Comments – Community Health, Social Agencies, Legal Community / RCMP ........... 12 h) Common Comments – Volunteer Organizations, Schools, Community Clubs and Churches..... 12 i) Common Comments -Elders ....................................................................................................... 13 j) Common Comments-High School Youth..................................................................................... 13 k) Common Comments-Licensees and Social Club Representatives .............................................. 13 SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGE ....................................................................................................................... 15 THE ACT ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 16 AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO ALCOHOL .................................................................................................... 19 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 22 Community Control and Plebiscites ........................................................................................................ 22 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 25 Alcohol Bans ............................................................................................................................................ 27 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 27 July 2012 Prepared by North Sky Consulting Group Ltd P a g e | ii WHAT WE HEARD REPORT Nunavut Liquor Act Review Task Force Alcohol Education Committees ............................................................................................................... 28 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 30 ALCOHOL SALES AND DISTRIBUTION .......................................................................................................... 30 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 31 Written Submissions ........................................................................................................................... 32 LICENSING ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Classes of Licences .................................................................................................................................. 33 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 33 Over-serving ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 35 Licensed Hours ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 35 Licence Fees ............................................................................................................................................ 36 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 36 Hearings .................................................................................................................................................. 36 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 36 Liquor Stores ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 39 LICENSING AUTHORITIES ............................................................................................................................ 39 Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board ............................................................................................................. 39 Approved Equipment .......................................................................................................................... 39 NLLB Members .................................................................................................................................... 40 Prescribed Forms ................................................................................................................................ 40 Expenditures of Board ........................................................................................................................ 41 CHANGING THE DRINKING CULTURE .......................................................................................................... 41 Vulnerable Populations ........................................................................................................................... 42 Youth ................................................................................................................................................... 42 Elders ................................................................................................................................................... 44 Pregnant Women ................................................................................................................................ 45 July 2012 Prepared by North Sky Consulting Group Ltd P a g e | iii WHAT WE HEARD REPORT Nunavut Liquor Act Review Task Force Alcohol Addiction and Treatment ........................................................................................................... 45 Alcohol and Gambling ............................................................................................................................. 46 Alcohol Advertising and Promotion ........................................................................................................ 46 Using Government Revenues from Alcohol to Curb Harm ..................................................................... 47 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 47 OFFENCES, SANCTIONS, AND ENFORCEMENT ............................................................................................ 49 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 50 Bootlegging and Illegal Importation of Alcohol ...................................................................................... 51 Summary of Suggestions ..................................................................................................................... 53 APPENDIX 1 - CONSULTATION DOCUMENT