Published 2:12 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026 By Umaymah Suhail Northern News Services Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Nunavut Premier John Main decided against signing the Direct-to-Consumer Alcohol Agreement. The agreement, signed by nine provinces in during a premiers meeting in Charlottetown on July 21, would allow individuals to purchase alcohol directly from a brewery, winery or distillery and have the alcohol shipped to their place of residence. “The governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are committed to strengthening internal trade and reducing unnecessary barriers that make it harder for Canadians to do business across the country,” reads a joint statement from the NWT and Nunavut premiers. “We recognize the important work being done through the Committee on Internal Trade and are proud to be active partners in those efforts.” The statement indicates that while the premiers support the broader goal to improve internal trade, they did not sign the agreement due to the “unique realities” of the territories, where many communities implemented their own alcohol restrictions or prohibitions based on local priorities and cultural values. “Respecting community self-determination is fundamental to how alcohol is managed in the North,” states the news release. “We believe any changes to alcohol distribution must be consistent with those locally established systems and the choices made by communities.” The Northwest Territories and Nunavut governments remain committed to working collaboratively with other territorial and provincial partners to further internal trade, while also respecting Northern circumstances and community-led decisions in the territories, the joint statement adds.
NWT and Nunavut premiers decide against signing Direct-to-Consumer Alcohol Agreement
