Thank you for tuning in today.

There has been much discussion around access to liquor stores and liquor products during COVID 19. I want to say to residents that the GNWT has no intention of closing liquor stores during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We have weighed the pros and cons, looked to the experience of jurisdictions across Canada and heard many different voices on this issue and have decided that removing all lawful access to alcohol would simply do more harm than good. 

Not only would removing access to legal alcohol create hardships for persons already struggling with addiction, it would potentially increase the burden on our NWT health care system at a time when it must remain focussed on fighting this pandemic. Sudden and forced withdrawal for those with any level of dependence on alcohol would hae impacts on police, medical first responders and the health care system at large from mental health to physical detox impacts.

We also recognize that decisions about how to manage alcohol within a community is one that I would like encourage be made by community leadership.  The NWT Liquor Act provides a variety of tools to municipal and band governments to allow them to make decisions about what will best respond to the specific needs of their residents.

The Northwest Territories has 15 communities who, before this pandemic began, put in place some form of alcohol restriction or prohibition system.  These restriction or prohibition systems remain in effect. 

Additionally, the Department of Finance has been working closely with those communities who request the enactment of a temporary prohibition order.  To date, we have received requests from four communities to put these temporary orders in place.  The option of requesting a temporary prohibition order is available to all NWT communities that do not have liquor stores or licensed establishments. 

The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission has been in regular contact  with liquor store owners to ensure that liquor store staff and customers are able to follow the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer and practice social distancing while in the store.

We are also examining how best to implement specific changes to the Liquor Regulations that would allow us to make a variety of temporary adjustments related to the sale of liquor that will reflect our current economic realities, the impact on the hospitality industry, support the advisory for people to stay home and encourage social distancing.

I am happy to take any questions that you may have.