Nunavut hamlet extends liquor ban during RCMP building renos

Residents in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, will be keeping alcohol out of their communities a little longer, after the hamlet reinstated its temporary liquor ban until the end of the month.

The hamlet originally imposed the ban June 26 while the local RCMP had asbestos removed from its detachment building, which isundergoing renovations. Kugluktuk RCMP had requested the ban to reduce the number of offenders they'd have to deal with while working in an office building near the detachment.

But the ban, which prohibits importing alcohol into the hamlet of 1,300 in western Nunavut, was lifted July 12-16 for a wedding. Organizers had sought a liquor permit well in advance.

On Monday, the hamlet's senior administrative officer reinstated the ban until July 27. While the asbestos in the RCMP building was since removed and found to be of low risk, the ongoing construction work has restricted police to using only one cell in the detachment.

The renovation work, which includes building two additional holding cells and expanding office space, is expected to be finished the end of July or beginning of August.

Kugluktuk resident Jack Himiak, who describes himself as a social drinker, said he supports allowing the ban to continue.

"I don't mind it myself, but there's probably other people who like to have a few drinks now and then," Himiak said Monday. "They might be not for it, but I don't think they really mind it, either."

Since the ban began, RCMP in Kugluktuk reporteda reduction in the number of calls they've had to handle.