Alcohol sales by government warehouses down in Nunavut

Alcohol sales were down this past year in Nunavut, according to the latest annual report from the territory's liquor commission.

In 2013-2014, sales through the Nunavut Liquor Commission dropped by more than $300,000 compared to the previous year.

Licensees have told the commission their sales have dropped over the last two years. They say one reason could be fewer major capital projects.

Cedric Gagne, manager of Iqaluit's Kickin' Caribou Pub, agrees.

"We have fewer workers this year, that's for sure," he said.

"Last year we noticed lots of Quebecois. And this year, maybe a little bit less. Maybe just fewer projects."

The report says when it comes to customer sales, the most dramatic drop is in Rankin Inlet where sales were down by 71 per cent over the last five years.

The commission says it could be that customers there prefer to order from Churchill, Man.

"In other words, it might be cheaper and more convenient to get beverage alcohol from Manitoba than from the Rankin Inlet warehouse," said Nunavut's Deputy Finance Minister Chris D'Arcy.

He says it's hard to tell if import permits will continue to be on the rise.

Liquor sales are not currently a big money maker for the government, but that revenue could increase if a pilot beer and wine store were opened in Iqaluit.

"We've calculated that the revenue that would increase or the additional revenue net would be about $400,000, so it would be about half or 40 per cent of what our profit was last year," he said. "It would make a difference."

Iqaluit and Baker Lake are the two communities that purchased the most alcohol through the Nunavut Liquor Commission last year.