Date set for Iqaluit public meeting on beer and wine store

• UPDATED: Public consultation begins at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7 in the Baffin room at the Frobisher Inn.

The Nunavut government has announced it will hold a consultation on Oct. 7 in Iqaluit to find out if people want a beer and wine store in the capital.

Iqaluit once had a liquor store, but it was closed almost 40 years ago. Emotions have been running high on both sides of the debate about whether alcohol should be sold in the city.

Former Nunavut Commissioner Ann Hanson says she is pleased people will have a say.

"I'm very delighted that there will be public consultations and not just let it happen," she said. "The public consultations are very necessary. We can learn pros and cons from them."

Special interest groups will be able to voice their opinion in the afternoon on the pilot project for a wine and beer store in Iqaluit by registering in advance.

In the evening, the meeting will be open to the public starting at 6:30.

The consultations will be held in the Baffin room at the Frobisher Inn.