N.W.T. MLA Daryl Dolynny questions Liquor Licensing Board's expenses
Board issued $3K in fines, spent $25K in travel past fiscal year
An MLA in the Northwest Territories is questioning how much it's costing the territory to enforce liquor laws.
Daryl Dolynny, MLA for Range Lake, says the N.W.T. Liquor Licensing Board held only three compliance hearings during the last fiscal year, and the fines issued amounted to less than $3,000.
"For this measly $2,800, the liquor commission spent $25,000 in travel and amassed $34,000 in honoraria," Dolynny said Monday in the Legislative Assembly.
"Does the minister still feel we're getting good value for money?"
Two of the restaurants that were fined are based in Yellowknife, where two board members are based. The other business that was fined is in Hay River.
The board also held two administrative meetings during the year. It notes in its annual report that it will hold hearings and meetings consecutively "in order to reduce travel and honoraria costs."
Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger says there's a price to be paid for running effective regulatory processes.
"There's a cost to doing business as a government that's not always revenue-based," he said.