IQALUIT - Constituents in some communities are concerned about contractors living in public housing while doing jobs in Nunavut, according to Nattilik MLA Enuk Pauloosie. Pauloosie represents Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.

Pauloosie asked housing minister Hunter Tootoo why contractors were being allowed to live in public housing units while completing construction projects in the communities. Tootoo said contractors are usually placed in commercial facilities such as hotels while doing work, but are sometimes permitted to stay in public housing if accommodations are not available.

Pauloosie said both businesses and local citizens were concerned.

"A number of my constituents are not happy with the fact that the contractors are staying in public housing while they have been on the waiting list for a long time," Pauloosie said.

Tootoo said sometimes public housing has to be used "otherwise the work won't get done."

Tamapta Action plan tabled

Premier Eva Aariak tabled a five-year government action plan on Monday, Dec. 7.

Tamapta: Building our Future Together includes recommendations from the GN report card on ways to improve services in Nunavut.

Priorities of the plan include reducing poverty, increase housing, improving health and strengthening Nunavut's public service, according to the plan.

"We trust that Nunavummiut will follow our progress closely and hold us accountable for achieving what we have set out to do," Aariak told the assembly. "We must provide ways for Nunavummiut to continue to tell us how we are performing through participation in government-led consultation activities and through our members of the legislative assembly."

Liquor Act to be reviewed

A task force is scheduled to begin reviewing Nunavut's Liquor Act early in 2010, Justice Minister Keith Peterson told the legislative assembly on Dec. 8.

"I think it goes all the way back to 2005-06 that there have been commitments to review the Liquor Act," Peterson said. "This government intends to do that. As I indicated last week, I hope the work begins early in the new year."

Peterson said the 10-member task force will be comprised of alcohol education committee members, health and social services workers, RCMP members and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, among others.

Peterson said the group will try to consult with all 25 communities in the territory to assist in reviewing the act.