Public nuisance bylaw delayed in Pangnirtung, Nunavut

The senior administrative officer in Pangnirtung says a proposed public nuisance bylaw to deal with public drunkenness will be delayed, but it is still on the councils agenda.

Alcohol has been banned in the community for more than 30 years, but it's still making its way in. According to the hamlet, the problem of public drunkenness is becoming more consistent.

"So we're hoping to hit people in their pocket book and to say to them, 'you want to drink?, well do what you have to do but stay behind closed doors, don't bother community residents'," says Senior Administrative Officer Ron Mongeau.

The proposed bylaw was supposed to be considered by council in February but was delayed because the hamlet was dealing with its budget.

Mongeau says the bylaw will go before council for first and second reading this week. It needs to pass three readings before it can become a bylaw.

Those charged under the proposed bylaw would have to pay fines between $250 to $1,000, depending on the number of offences they have.

"We would like to step in and really put a good emphasis to control it, so that our children and elders and everybody would be in a safe place and not be disturbed by people causing problems," says Mayor Sakiasie Sowdlooapik.

Once the bylaw is introduced, there will be a public consultation period to gather input from residents.