Job pressure gets to N.W.T. Liquor Board chair

The chairman of the Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board is stepping down, saying he can't take the pressure anymore.

John Simpson announced he was quitting April 9 at a board meeting in Yellowknife Tuesday.

The board recently cracked down on bars that were violating liquor laws.

Some bar owners have protested, saying the board has been too heavy-handed.

Simpson says the territorial government hasn't supported the board's work. Board members are unanimous in their support of Simpson.

Floyd Roland, the minister in charge of the Liquor Licensing Board, says he has supported the board's rulings as long as they are consistent with the law.

"I didn't get any calls saying these were areas we needed to look at. I haven't had any calls from businesses and as I told the board if I did I would have to tell them they have the authority," he says.

Roland says he hasn't yet considered who should replace Simpson.