The province has no plans to restrict the sale of alcohol. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

provincial politics

Province rejects LLRIB’s letter for restriction to alcohol sales

Apr 22, 2020 | 4:47 PM

The provincial government rejected a letter by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band aimed at restricting the sale of alcohol.

That’s according to Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, who said a letter was sent March 31 to the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. The letter called for both liquor stores hours to be reduced and a limit to the amount of alcohol an individual can purchase.

“We realize looking at the statistics that the amount of alcohol being purchased is … going up and we’re seeing house parties in our communities and people bootlegging,” Cook-Searson said. “Those are things that are brought in by our community members and we made a motion as chief and council to bring this letter to the provincial government.”

Earlier this month, Premier Scott Moe mentioned during a press conference there were two main reasons liquor stores are deemed an essential service. He noted liquor sales can’t stop because there was no time to increase the space at detox for those withdrawing, as well as the fact closing public liquor stores would funnel customers into fewer privately-owned stores.

Cook-Searson also added there are a number of communities which have already asked for restrictions on the sale of alcohol. For instance, she said the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Prince Albert Grand Council have all written letters about it.

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“We received a response back on April 15 and pretty much the government just said they didn’t want to limit the amount of alcohol purchased,” Cook-Searson said. “It was saying someone could go into one place and then go to another place to buy alcohol in a number of different establishments that sell liquor.”

The letter also acknowledge the issue had been raised in the past, particularly by communities in northern Saskatchewan. It noted a policy would be difficult to implement and enforce because people could shop at multiple locations that sell alcohol.

“It’s not a very good excuse,” Cook-Searson said. “There should be a limit. There’s a limit on the number of things you can buy in stores right now, so there should be a limit on how much alcohol individuals buy.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno