Former Iqaluit deputy mayor makes news in Yellowknife

Mathew Spence, a former Iqaluit city councillor and deputy mayor, found himself back in the news after being convicted of two counts of assault and fined $600, according to court records in Yellowknife.

The former Iqaluit resident found his son’s stolen bike at the city’s skateboard park in September 2002. Spence then questioned some kids in the park. Unhappy with Spence’s line of questioning, the kids banded together, yelled at him and threw a rock at his vehicle.

In retaliation and fearing for his safety, Spence pushed one teen boy and punched another male youth, the court heard.

The Yellowknifer newspaper called the incident a “schoolyard skirmish” and quoted judge Robert Halifax as saying he did not believe Spence’s claim of self-defence.