UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN - People and goods coming into dry communities should be screened to minimize alcohol-related problems was what residents of Gjoa Haven told the task force charged with suggesting changes to the Liquor Act.

Gjoa Haven is a "dry" community, meaning alcohol is prohibited, but it's "pretty common" for people to bring alcohol into the community, said Enuk Pauloosie, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.

"Nothing is stopping anybody from bringing booze into the community because there's no such thing as screening for liquor or anything coming into Gjoa Haven," he said.

The 10-member task force reviewing the Nunavut Liquor Act held a public hearing in Gjoa Haven in the last week of January, so that community residents can provide feedback on the act, last amended in 2006.

Pauloosie added they told the task force they wanted stricter laws on importing liquor from a different territory.

"It's not going to completely stop the import of liquor to Gjoa Haven but at least it will slow things down," he said.

Task force chairwoman Donna Adams said the group heard Gjoa Haven's status as a dry community is not working as alcohol is available in the community for a price. On the other hand, she added the community told the task force that if it were to become a wet community, it would have a negative effect on youth.

Adams said she thinks Gjoa Haven, one of seven dry communities in Nunavut, wants to have more support to keep it dry or perhaps have more consultation to figure out what would work.

The task force did not visit Taloyoak, one of four "wet" communities in Nunavut, as planned in the last week of January.

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