Behchoko to vote in upcoming liquor plebiscite

Residents in Behchoko, N.W.T., will get to vote on whether they want alcohol banned from their community.

The community government in Behchoko, located 95 kilometres north of Yellowknife, decided to hold a liquor plebiscite after it held a public meeting Wednesday night. No date has yet been set for the vote.

Only about 20 people showed up at Wednesday's meeting, out of a local population of about 2,000. Those who were noticeably absent included representatives from the RCMP, the Tlicho Community Services Agency and the Tlicho aboriginal government.

But those who did attend the meeting said more must be done to address social problems that have arisen from alcohol and drug abuse in their community.

"After the self-government was established, our elders said they would like to see one thing done: try to do something about the liquor and drug problem in the community," said Coun. Joe Beaverho, the main proponent of the plebiscite.

Residents such as Therese Mantla told the meeting that local youth have it too easy these days, resulting in drug and alcohol problems such as bootlegging.

"Right now, everybody's being so lazy," Mantla said. "We have the furnace going, we don't have to haul our water. Everything's on a silver platter for them. So what they do, they turn to booze."

Another resident, speaking in the Tlicho language, told the meeting that bootlegging is a lucrative business in Behchoko, with a $2 bottle of hairspray selling for $20 and a $35 bottle of liquor trading for up to $80.

Previously, at least 60 per cent of eligible voters in a plebiscite would have to support a liquor ban in order for it to become law. However, under changes in the N.W.T.'s new Liquor Act, enacted late last year, only a simple majority is required.