Ahousaht First Nation is urging Tofino council to limit the number of hard-liquor bottles that can be bought at private beer and wine stores to help combat bootlegging on Flores Island, where the nation is based.
Hereditary Chief Richard George (Hasheukumiss) described the situation as a “serious pandemic” and a state of emergency.
An estimated 300 to 500 bottles of vodka go every week to Ahousaht, where they’re sold for prices ranging from $60 on average up to $200 at times, he said. Flores Island is north of Tofino on Vancouver Island’s west coast.
George said he has been working on the bootlegging problem for two years. When bootleggers know they are being watched, they go to Ucluelet or Port Alberni to shop instead, he said.
In the past two years, more than 80 per cent of Ahousaht deaths were related to alcohol, George said.
The nation’s lawyer suggested George reach out to the district asking if it would enact a bylaw limiting private beer and wine stores to selling two bottles of 26 ounces each per customer.
The idea was to target private stores because they need a municipal business licence.
“There’s nothing we can do with the [provincial] liquor stores,” he said. “It’s a different ballgame.”
Tofino council referred the request to city staff for a legal and policy review, and to contact the province for input.
George said lawyers are also working on a class action lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments to bring attention to the problem of the high number of bottles sold.
He said he’s been working with the RCMP, who have imposed two $600 fines for bootlegging.
In the longer term, George hopes to see a year-round mental health and wellness facility established.
Tom Paul, a front-line worker who says he drives around on weekends to check on Ahousaht members, told Tofino council a bylaw would be beneficial. “It’s not going to stop it but it is a piece of the puzzle to start moving forward and start healing.”
Tofino Coun. Tom Stere told George and Paul that the district will be raising the issue with the province.
“You have 100 per cent of my support behind the initiative. And as you pointed out, this is not a solution. This is part of many, many layers that will be necessary to address this issue.”
Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, which includes Ahousaht, said Thursday that she does not know of any other community that is taking similar action.
