Rankin Inlet councillors vote to abstain from alcohol ahead of Christmas
CBC
Rankin Inlet hamlet councillors recently passed a motion that has had them avoid drinking alcohol for the 12 days leading up to Christmas, with the goal of setting a positive example for the community.
The motion said the move is meant to help reduce the harm that drinking causes to families and front line workers who bear the brunt of alcohol's impact.
Chris Eccles is a hamlet councillor who helped put the motion forward. He said he’s seen the harm alcohol can cause in Rankin Inlet, and that this is the third time council has made the decision to temporarily quit drinking together.
“Some sad stories of people that alcohol negatively effects their lives and their family. But then in the same breath, you also see amazing stories where people have been able to turn things around," he said.
“It’s definitely possible and what we’ve got to see is a hamlet council that’s supportive of people making the right choices.”
Eccles said that community members have reacted positively to council's holiday alcohol abstinence over the years, and that ultimately, drinking is a personal choice.
Though Rankin Inlet councillors voted to set an example in the community, they didn’t prohibit alcohol altogether.
Trying to control alcohol use during the holidays is something hamlets in Nunavut have taken on for years.
According to the territorial government, municipal councils are in charge of setting their liquor control systems. They can make a motion for temporary prohibition of up to 14 days. Such a request must be approved by the finance minister.
The hamlet of Kugluktuk is banning the sale of alcohol in the community over the holidays.
"Everybody in the community enjoys a good Christmas with their families and children without any alcohol problems or anything like that,” said John McCafferty, the hamlet's assistant senior administrative officer.
Meanwhile, the hamlet of Baker Lake is making two prohibition orders: one for the consumption of alcohol and another for its sales.
The prohibition is set to run from Dec. 18 to 31, and again from Jan. 1 to 14.
Taloyoak is also prohibiting alcohol over the holidays, "for the whole community just to be safe,” said mayor Lenny Panigayak.
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