Sahtu to hold public meetings on liquor issues

In the Sahtu, people will get a chance to weigh in on changes to the Liquor Act in a series of meetings to discuss the community's lone liquor store in Norman Wells.

Public hearings will be held this week across the region.  

Norman Wells, which has the only liquor store in the region, lifted alcohol sales restrictions several years ago.

That's when other communities in the area started noticing they were dealing with more liquor-related problems.

The changes to the Liquor Act would allow Sahtu communities to hold a plebiscite on how booze is sold in Norman Wells.

"This is a very unique approach for the communities to have a say in the liquor store that's having an impact on all four communities," Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya said.

The first meeting to discuss the issue will be in Norman Wells on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Melnyk Hall.

On Monday, the standing committee dealing with the changes will move on to Deline for a meeting at noon in the Cultural Centre, and at 7:30 p.m. in Tulita's council chambers. The final public hearing will be held on Tuesday in the Fort Good Hope community hall at 7:00 p.m.