GNWT officials are scrambling to find someone to take over operation of literally the only liquor store for several hundred kilometres after the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation decided to not renew its contract to run the Inuvik Liquor Store in September.

"Stanton, the contractor, issued notice on April 24, 2024, that it would not be renewing the contract due to low margins," wrote the IRC on its social media platform. "Stanton was paid a low rate per litre of liquor sold, as negotiated in 2014, to cover all costs SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” including store rent, wages, heat and electricity.

"GNWT was unable to issue a request for proposals (RFP) prior to the end of the contract and so asked Stanton to continue operating the store until December 2024. As part of this ask, the GNWT offered an increase in rates to cover the additional costs to keep the store open for the people of Inuvik. Stanton did not negotiate rates and our primary focus is turning the contract over to a successful proponent."

Inuvik Drum reached out to the IRC for further comment, but the IRC declined, referring inquiries to the GNWT.

A spokesperson for the GNWT said the government is committed to ensuring the liquor store remains open. However, when the initial call for RFPs closed on Nov. 12, no contractor had been found by that time. The extended contact with Stanton expires on Dec. 31, 2024.

"The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission is seeking new operators for the Inuvik Liquor Store through the public procurement process," said Toyeke Adedipe. "Unfortunately, the procurement process for the Inuvik Liquor Store operations contract was unsuccessful. The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission is working to reissue the request for proposal as soon as possible. The NTLCC is committed to ensuring that there is service continuity for liquor sales in Inuvik."

When asked if the GNWT is prepared to take over operations of the store in the absence of any other interested party, Adedipe did not answer directly but said the GNWT would consider "alternative arrangements" if a contractor cannot be found by Dec. 31. The territorial government spokesperson did not elaborate on what those arrangements would be.

After the Inuvik Liquor store, the next closest legal distributor of alcohol is located in Dawson City, a 773-kilometre drive.