MLA accuses minister of “inappropriate” behaviour

IQALUIT — A spat between two MLAs has slithered out from underneath the normally closed doors of the Nunavut legislative assembly.

Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo is accusing Housing and Public Works Minister Manitok Thompson of behavior and comments that “can only be described as inappropriate in the extreme.”

Tootoo made the allegations in a September 9 letter to Government House Leader Kelvin Ng. That letter, and a letter of response from Ng, were anonymously leaked to Nunatsiaq News this week.

Tootoo’s complaints relate to a full MLAs’ caucus meeting held in Iqaluit September 8. Caucus meetings are behind-closed doors gatherings of MLAs. Most of the real debate within the legislative assembly takes place at these gatherings, which are normally closed to the public.

In his letter Tootoo complained that “the Minister’s behaviour was clearly antithetical to the spirit of consensus that is supposed to guide our deliberations.”

“While I do not necessarily expect the Minister to agree with suggestions or comments put forward by me or other Members, I do expect her to approach discussions and issues with a modicum of civility and open mindedness,” Tootoo wrote.

In this letter, Tootoo also asked Ng to remind Thompson of her obligations.

“Should she continue to act in the fashion exhibited yesterday, I believe that my confidence in her as a Minister would be seriously in question,” Tootoo wrote.

Ng: Premier responsible

In his response, Ng said that Nunavut’s Premier Paul Okalik is responsible for the conduct of ministers, and that he would refer the matter to Okalik.

“In respect of the conduct of Ministers outside the formal sitting of the house, it would be entirely within the realm of the Premier’s responsibility to deal with this matter and as such I am by copy of this letter referring the matter for his response,” Ng said in his letter.

Ng ended his response by expressing the hope that the matter can be resolved amicably.

“I know that all members of the Caucus have different views and relationships with their colleagues which results many times in differences of opinion,” wrote a conciliatory Ng. “In the end, I truly believe that we all want to make things better for the people we are serving and we will work out our differences towards that end.”

When contacted by Nunatsiaq News, Tootoo would not provide any specific details about his allegations.

Tootoo also said he was surprised to learn that the letters, which had been sent to all members of the legislature, had also found their way onto Nunatsiaq News’ fax machine.

Tootoo said that his letter was meant to be private. “I don’t believe in airing dirty laundry in public,” Tootoo said.

Thompson unaware of problem

Thompson said that she “didn’t have a clue” as to how she might have managed to upset Tootoo during the caucus meeting. According to Thompson, her colleague’s letter came “out of nowhere.”

She said that Inuit — and most politicians — usually sort out their differences in a more direct fashion, without writing nasty, formal letters.

“They say it, act and settle it,” said Thompson.

The minister, however, admitted that heated debates are common during caucus meetings.

“We don’t always agree even though we have consensus government,” Thompson said.

Thomspon said that to date, discussions within the caucus had been good and productive, particularly since most MLAs can now communicate in Inuktitut, without having to use interpreters.

Thompson suggested that cultural differences between Inuit and non-Inuit may also contribute to a misunderstanding of certain actions or words.

Ng said that he was distressed that the dispute had reached the public, and said he was concerned about the breach of confidentialty within the government.