Iqaluit residents vote 'yes' to proposed beer and wine store

People in Iqaluitvoted 1,126 to 326 on Mondayin favourof a proposed beer and wine store in the Nunavut capital, a "yes" vote of about 77 per cent.

The first-of-its-kind plebiscite asked a simple "yes" or "no"question: "Are you in favour of a beer and wine store opening in Iqaluit?"

Fewer than half of those on the voter'slist cast ballots.In all, 1,462 city residents voted, representing just 40 per cent of those eligible.

• 5 things to know about Iqaluit's vote on a beer and wine store

Nunavut chief electoral officer Sandy Kusugaksaid she was surprised by the low turnout as the plebiscite was the talk of the town. As she putit, you would have to be under a rock not to hear about it.

"People might not have an opinion about a politician [but] they really do have their opinions on booze and polar bears and fish," she said.

Tania Scott, the returning officer for Elections Nunavut, saidIqaluit residents should keep in mindthe outcome of the plebiscite is notthe final decision.

Instead, it's meant tohelpgauge public opinion on the retail sale of beer and wine in Iqaluit.

She saidat the end of the day, it's up tocabinet to make the final decision.

The proposed store would require customers to set up an account, and it wouldcap sales at one case of 12 beerand two bottles of wine per day.