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July 2, 2004
Ethics boss: Akesuk should say sorry in public
Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk ought to hold public meetings in his constituency
to apologize for twice violating the Integrity Act, Nunavut’s Integrity
Commissioner, Robert Stanbury, recommends in a report issued last week.
But if Akesuk wants to, he may take nearly half a year just to think about
it.That’s because Stanbury’s recommendations aren’t binding on
Akesuk until after they are accepted by the Nunavut legislative assembly. The
Integrity Act says MLAs may either accept or reject those recommendations, but
not change them.
And since MLAs are taking a five-and-a-half month break in their legislative
duties this year, the issue will be on ice for a while. The assembly’s
first session ended June 3, and its second session won’t start until Nov.
16.
In his report, Stanbury confirmed that Akesuk violated the Integrity Act not
once, but twice, when in 2003 and 2004 he failed to dislose a debt worth more
than $10,000 owed to the Muncipality of Cape Dorset for back-rent on a social
housing unit he once occupied.
Stanbury said the first violation, in 2003, deprived his constituents of “one
means of judging the merit of his candidacy for re-election.”
Akesuk, who gets $120,000 a year plus other payments under the GN’s generous
benefit and bonus system, is now having $300 deducted from his bank account
every two weeks and sent to the Hamlet of Cape Dorset, which runs social housing
in that community.
Premier Paul Okalik appears unconcerned about his minister’s transgression.
Okalik’s press secretary, Bill Clay, said this week that Okalik will let
MLAs handle Stanbury’s report.
In addition to the recommendation that Akesuk apologize at public meetings
in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut, Stanbury also recommends that:
- Akesuk be reprimanded by the assembly;
- Akesuk make a statement in the legislative assembly, “apologizing
to his peers, his constituents and all Nunavummiut;”
- Akesuk send a letter to all of his constituents acknowledging his wrongful
conduct, apologizing for it, and promising not to do it again, and provide
copies of Stanbury’s report to his constituents.
July
2, 2004
Ell joins Nunavut Economic Forum
The Nunavut Economic Forum has named Jerry Ell as its executive director.
Ell has previously served as president of the Baffin Regional Chambre of Commerce
and the Nunavut Chambre of Commerce. He was also chair of the Amarok Hunters
and Trappers Association and director of the NWT Development Corporation.
Ell will manage day-to-day affairs for the forum from an office in the Igluvut
building in Iqaluit.
The NEF was formed in May of this year when representatives from nearly 40
groups — including Inuit organizations, chambres of commerce, the Nunavut
Association of Municipalities, industry associations, labour, and government
— met in Iqaluit during the annual trade show
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