Ailing Nunavut senator remains “alert and in good spirits”

Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson, 70, who has been hospitalized in Ottawa since last Thursday, remains “alert and in good spirits,” Patterson’s director of parliamentary affairs, Claudine Santos, told Nunatsiaq News on Sept. 16.

“His wife, Evelyn, is by his side and they continue to remain positive,” Santos said.

Patterson was medevaced this past Thursday, Sept. 12, to Ottawa from Iqaluit, where he had been preparing to help Leona Aglukkaq, the Conservative candidate for Nunavut in the Oct. 21 federal election, launch her campaign.

Santos did not disclose the health issue that led to the medevac.

“More needs to be done before we have any more information to release. I can only confirm that the senator remains in hospital here in Ottawa in stable condition,” she said.

A media spokesperson for The Ottawa Hospital said it’s hospital policy not to release information on the reason for a patient’s hospitalization, the nature of their illness or injury, or their course of treatment.

Santos said Patterson is not receiving visitors at the moment but said he’s thankful for the “well-wishes, kindness and support he has been receiving.”

She also said she’s in touch with him every day and that his office remains available to help Nunavummiut address issues that are within federal jurisdiction.

Patterson served as MLA for Iqaluit from 1979 until 1995 in the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories, where he served as a cabinet minister from 1980 to 1993.

He served also as premier of the N.W.T. from 1987 to 1991, and as the Conservative senator for Nunavut since September 2009.