It has come to Chief and Council’s attention there is some confusion regarding the implementation of the Nisichawayasi Community Protection Law and Regulations due to the use of metric measurements. While many people still refer to liquor in ounces, it is sold at Manitoba Liquor Marts in metric measurements.
This Notice is intended to help clarify the following matters:
- The permit issued under the Nisichawayasi Community Protection Law and Regulations allows up to 1 litre of liquor to be transported. This means each person with a permit can transport either one 750 ml bottle (often called a 26 oz) plus one 200 ml bottle (often called a pocket mickey) or two 375 ml bottles (often called a mickey). Bottles of liquor over these sizes are not allowed under the permit. For greater certainty, 1.14 L bottles of liquor (often called a 40 oz) and 1.75 L bottles of liquor (often called a 66 oz) are not allowed under the permit.
- Everyone who wishes to transport alcohol or cannabis must have a permit. The cost is $60.00 for the first annual permit and $30.00 to renew a permit. If a permit is lost, the cost of a replacement permit is $10.00. Anyone who breaches the law will lose their permit and will not be allowed to transport alcohol or cannabis for 3 months for a 1st offence, 6 months for a 2nd offence and 12 months for a 3rd offence.
- The driver and all persons in a vehicle who wish to transport alcohol or cannabis onto NCN Lands with the exception of the Mystery Lake Lands in Thompson, must have a permit.
- Permits can be obtained from Chantelle Barker, the Director of Justice and Public Safety or her designated staff. They will be available at the Trust Office from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day and on Friday October 11, 2019; they will be at the Arena Mezzanine from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- During the month of October, a Warning Ticket will be issued the first time a person goes through the check stop without a permit. The person who is issued a Warning Ticket will be allowed to transport alcohol or cannabis up to the limits in the Regulation one time only. A person issued a Warning Ticket will have their liquor taken away the next time they come through the check stop without a permit. Starting on November 1st, 2019, anyone without a permit will have their liquor taken away and they may also have to pay a fine of up to $5,000.00, do community service or other benefits may be taken away.
- The FNSOs may request receipts from Manitoba Liquor Marts or authorized cannabis stores to confirm that the product has been purchased from an authorized business. NCN Citizens, Residents and Visitors are reminded that purchases from bootleggers and drug dealers are not authorized purchases and the FNSOs have the discretion to take away alcohol or cannabis if no valid receipt can be produced. The receipt must match the product being claimed.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we begin to implement this new law, which we hope, will help to improve community safety over the longer term. We are monitoring the implementation process on a regular basis and hope to be able to quickly address issues as they arise. As we indicated previously, we want to give the new Law and Regulations a chance but we will consider changes if they are needed. We will continue reporting to the community about the implementation process through our newsletter, website, radio, the NCN App and Facebook page.
If you have any questions, please contact our new Director of Public Safety, Chantelle Barker at 204-484-2604.
We want to thank you for you cooperation, understanding and patience.
Chief and Council wishes everyone a safe Thanksgiving weekend.
Ekosani, Thank you.