Nunavut MP Tootoo scandal sparks debate on gender equality, sexual abuse, harassment

Former Premier Eva Aariak poses in her shop Malikkaat Ltd. near Iqaluit’s Four Corners Aug. 5. Aariak said Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo’s recent sex scandal could convince some Nunavut women to run for publicly elected positions. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

As questions surround Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo’s political future, many in Nunavut have used his recent sex scandal as an opportunity to talk about an issue they say has been largely ignored in the territory: gender equality, sexual harassment and sexual abuse within the Nunavut leadership.

“Maybe it will help,” former Nunavut premier Eva Aariak told Nunatsiaq News during an Aug. 5 interview in Iqaluit.

“I really like the Liberal Party’s stance on gender equality. That’s what many in Nunavut hoped for in 1999, but I guess we weren’t ready for that then.”

As for the “inappropriate behaviour” by Nunavut’s elected officials, which usually involves alcohol and happens “too often,” that angers women across Nunavut, said Aariak, Nunavut’s second premier from 2008 to 2013, a period when Tootoo was also MLA for Iqaluit Centre.

But Aariak said the inappropriate relationship Tootoo admitted to having with a junior staffer recently might actually inspire Nunavut women to get involved in politics.

“I think women can feel and think, ‘I can be out there, I can try my best. Why not?’”

On the issue of sexual harassment and sexual abuse among the Inuit leadership, Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern said on Facebook Aug. 5 that she plans to convene a public discussion Aug. 11.

That discussion will take place Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Elder’s Qammaq in Iqaluit, for women only.

Tootoo left Justin Trudeau’s Liberal caucus and cabinet in May to seek addictions treatment.

Shortly after Tootoo returned to work in July, The Globe and Mail reported that the Nunavut MP had a sexual relationship with a junior staffer.

On Aug. 3 Tootoo admitted to having a “consensual but inappropriate relationship.”

But Tootoo refused to provide any more details, relying instead on prepared statements.

Meanwhile, a torrent of comments on Nunatsiaq News have since called for Tootoo’s resignation.

“Mr. Tootoo I think your response to this scandal has been both insincere and arrogant…Please resign now,” a commenter wrote.

“Saying it was consensual proves you don’t get it … You are in a hole of your own making – stop digging and resign,” another commenter wrote.

One commenter suggested starting a petition to oust Tootoo, while many expressed fear that Tootoo’s relationship with Ottawa and his electors is now toxic.

“I’m willing to bet the vast majority of us that voted Liberal, did so for the party, not the man. Therefore Hunter, you need…to allow your constituents to have what we voted for – a Liberal voice for Nunavut.”

Peter Taptuna’s office told Nunatsiaq News that the premier would not comment on any aspect of Tootoo’s problems.

And Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. did not return a request for a statement by press time.

But some Iqaluit residents, including the mayor, continue to be vocal on social media about the need to talk about the unacknowledged sexual harassment women across Nunavut experience.

Maybe this whole thing can be used to open up a discussion on the gross amount of sexual power dynamics in workplaces in Nunavut

— Sidney (@squidalisha) August 5, 2016

@RadicalOmnivore it's unfortunate because still, as women, our experiences are not taken seriously – told we are overreacting, etc

— Sidney (@squidalisha) August 5, 2016

@madinuk as an Inuk man I recognize I'm not the person you should put in front of an abused woman.

— Franco Buscemi (@siutiapik) August 5, 2016

Nunavummiut need to be able to speak their minds more often, without worrying about political or professional consequences, Aariak said.

“There are things like this that we don’t speak out enough about. And we need to — not just women, but men who see this type of inappropriate behaviour too.”