Use liquor profits to fund Inuvik's warming centre, says advocate

An Inuvik firefighter and advocate is calling on the territorial government to use revenues from liquor sales to fund the community's beleagueredemergency warming shelter.

The John Wayne Kiktorak Centre, also known as the Inuvikwarming shelter, shut down at the beginning of June due to a lack of funding. It would have closed in March, but a $38,000 donation from the InuvikFirefighters Association allowed it to stay openuntil the snow melted. It's expected to re-open in the fall.

• Inuvik firefighters rescue emergency warming centre with $38K donation

Jonathon Michel, vice-president of the firefighters association and an 11-year Inuvik resident, saysthe centre is providing an indispensable service to the community.

"We should have dignity, and what this centreoffers is that," Michelsaid.

"The problem we have now is that it's ona short-term kind of support basis. The centredoes not have year-round sustainable funds."

Michel is advocatingthe Northwest Territories government to use a percentage of its Inuvik liquor profits towards the centre, which requires $389,000 to operate year-round.

The Northwest TerritoriesLiquor Commission's annual report shows a net income of about $4 millionin Inuvik over the last fiscal year.

"Even one-tenth of that could fully support the John WayneKiktorakCentreyear-round," Michelsaid.

By contributing profits to the warming shelter, Michel saysthe liquor commission would adhere to its stated goal of promoting social responsibility with alcohol.

He says Inuvik's vulnerable population need continued support.

"In the summer, they have to go somewhere. Where they are right now, I don't know. So there's a gap."

'It's like a home'

On average, 15 to 18 people would stay at the shelter each night. Many of its regular clients struggle with addiction.

A research paper published in February in Harm Reduction Journal, examined the effects of the warming shelter in Inuvik, and said its function is "keepingguests safe and alive."

It also notedthatRCMP reported "fewer admissions to their cells" while the shelter wasin operation.

Joey Amos, who runs the warming centre,said that the impact of its closure is already being felt in Inuvik.

"It is needed," he said.

"The RCMP and hospital are quite busy with people now that the centre is closed."

RichardTardiffis one of the people affected by the shelter's summer closure. He faced hard times when his father died, and had beenstayingat the shelter for about a year.

"The shelter is not a warming shelter. It's like a home,"Tardiffsaid.

"They help give us responsibility to wake up and do our chores, and do what we have to do to get through the days."

Michelhas reached out to the territory's Department of Finance, and hopes that it will fully fundthe centre in the future.

The Department of Finance says it's working on CBC's request for an interview.