Fort Chip to vote on liquor

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The Fort Chipewyan band will hold its third liquor plebiscite since 1981 to decide whether to end a ban on liquor sales.

The plebiscite takes place March 16 and is the result of the recently opened Fort Chipewyan Lodge's application to the Alberta Liquor Control Board to sell alcohol.

In 1984 about 51 per cent of the votes were in favour of liquor sales and speculators believe the upcoming plebiscite will again be close.

However, in the past the government required a vote of 60 per cent or more before allowing the area to sell liquor. Since then the rules have changed and now the small community needs a majority to decide the issue.

Chief Pat Marcel was unavailable for comment at press time.