Citing grim statistics that seem only to go up, Rankin Inlet Sgt. Patrick Frenette sent a clear message to hamlet council at its meeting Monday, May 8.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what influence council does have on the minister in charge of the liquor store, but definitely, I think it would be time to have some pretty open conversations,SA国际影视传媒� said Frenette about the impact the beer and wine store is having in Rankin Inlet and the broader Kivalliq.

The store opened in December 2021, and though some crime statistics increased afterward, the wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure at first if those figures were related to pandemic restrictions easing or the store itself.

Now, itSA国际影视传媒檚 been long enough SA国际影视传媒� and the numbers continue to go up SA国际影视传媒� that Frenette felt confident to point out the problem in Rankin Inlet.

SA国际影视传媒淭o be honest with you, Mr. Mayor, the common denominator that I see in the community is the beer and wine store,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping we can have the agreement from council that this is an issue.SA国际影视传媒�

In April, the responded to 239 calls, with 142 of them having alcohol involved. Eighty-five detainees spent time behind bars, with 13 files resulting in criminal charges and seven more under investigation.

Comparing the year to date to 2022, total calls are up 47 per cent, calls involving alcohol are up 61 per cent, detainees are up 111 per cent and domestic violence is up 244 per cent.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur prisoners is whatSA国际影视传媒檚 really striking here,SA国际影视传媒� said Frenette.

The is already working at peak summer season levels, he said, with summer only just beginning.

He floated a few ideas for changes with the beer and wine store but said some real discussions need to take place SA国际影视传媒� and the sooner, the better.

SA国际影视传媒淭wenty-four beers a day is not a limit, in my opinion,SA国际影视传媒� said Frenette. SA国际影视传媒淚 think if there are no discussions being held with people that can influence the beer and wine store, our statistics are simply going to go up and up and up.SA国际影视传媒�

He added that he wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 coming to council to tell them to shut down the beer and wine store, but that there needs to be ideas bounced around and an open roundtable discussion on it.

And not just the is feeling it. Frenette said all of his community partners are talking about the influence the beer and wine store has had on Rankin Inlet and the whole region.

SA国际影视传媒淲e can only sustain statistics like this for so long with the amount of resources and personnel that we have in place to address them,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

If things continue going as they are, he said, SA国际影视传媒淚 think Rankin Inlet is going to burn out all their community-based resources.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒楽tretched to the maxSA国际影视传媒�

Pelagie Sharp, executive director of the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre, presented to council next and echoed that sentiment.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll levels of community supports are getting stretched to the max,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that the alcohol-related challenges in the community are getting to be too much to handle.

Frenette added that in discussions with other detachment commanders, the beer and wine store in Rankin Inlet is contributing to alcohol-related issues in other communities as well.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really affecting every family in Rankin Inlet,SA国际影视传媒� said Mayor Harry Towtongie. SA国际影视传媒淲e have to do something. We know that.SA国际影视传媒�

Coun. Kelly Lindell said she knows some people may be upset if limitations are put on the beer and wine store, especially the people who are able to enjoy drinking without it becoming a problem.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut not everyone can enjoy it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 the part we need to tackle. How do we help the ones who canSA国际影视传媒檛 just enjoy it?SA国际影视传媒�

Coun. Michael Shouldice referenced the SA国际影视传媒渢houghts and prayersSA国际影视传媒� line used regarding tragedies around the world.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檝e crossed the line, most likely before today, on thoughts and prayers with alcoholism in this community,SA国际影视传媒� said Shouldice. SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檝e really got to do something solid, solid. Not just, SA国际影视传媒榃eSA国际影视传媒檒l write a letter.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

He said he wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be shy to suggest Rankin Inlet will shut down the beer and wine store, but added that that proposition comes with trade-offs too, like the loss of jobs at the outlet.

Coun. Chris Eccles suggested council members meet and hash out the subject themselves before taking it to higher levels of government so that they can speak in a unified voice.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody knows itSA国际影视传媒檚 an issue,SA国际影视传媒� said Eccles.

He added that he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 join council to get re-elected.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is one of those changes youSA国际影视传媒檝e got to set politics aside and say this is what our community needs to do.SA国际影视传媒�