Nunavut hamlet bans liquor while RCMP building is fixed

The Nunavut hamlet of Kugluktuk has banned alcohol temporarily while the local RCMP has asbestos removed from its detachment building.

The ban, which took effect June 26, prohibits importing alcohol into the hamlet of about 1,300 located 430 kilometres west of Cambridge Bay in western Nunavut.

Kugluktuk RCMP asked the local council for the ban in the hopes of reducing the number of offenders they'd have to deal with while working outside the detachment building.

"This is something that some people in the community are against," deputy mayor Allen Niptanatiak told CBC News.

Passing the ban was a difficult decision, he added,"but it's something that we have to try … because this is our community as well, and everyone needs to pitch in a little bit."

Last week, contractors renovating the RCMP detachment building accidentally disturbed a small amount of asbestos in the furnace room. Some particles became airborne, which presents a safety risk because inhalation of asbestos dust and fibre can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis and cancer.

As a result, Sgt. Chris Bewsher said the detachment building had to be closed. Officers were operating out of a nearby office building within hours, he said.

"The downtime for the RCMP in Kugluktuk was very brief and did not affect in any way the safety of anybody in the community," Bewsher said. "We're still here doing our job, just as we did the day before this event happened."

A guard watches low-risk prisoners in the office building, Bewsher said, while high-risk offenders will be sent to cells in Yellowknife or Cambridge Bay.

Otherwise, it's business as usual for the RCMP in Kugluktuk.

"The RCMP are still responding to calls, our 982-1111 emergency line is still fully operational,members still have access to portable radios and phone lines, the ability to communicate, contact, interact with people," he said. "So there's absolutely no concern to the safety of the general public and the people living here."

The RCMP expect to receive test results on the disturbed asbestos this week.

In the meantime, Niptanatiak said the liquor ban will be in effect until July 12 —past the territory's statutory holiday July 9 — and may be extended, if necessary.