Hunter Tootoo steps down as chair of Nunavut Planning Commission

Hunter Tootoo will be stepping down as chair of the Nunavut Planning Commission.

Tootoo, a former Nunavut MLA, territorial cabinet ministerand House speaker, was named the Liberal Party's Nunavut candidate this week.

Tootoo says he is confident he is leaving the planning commission in good hands.

"Since the six months that I have been chair I think we've accomplished quite a bit and moved things forward as much as we could and I wish them well," he said.

His run as the commission's chair wasn't without controversy. In April, NunavutpremierPeter Taptuna accused the commission of holding up the regulatory reviewprocess ofBaffinland Iron Mines' planto expand the shipping season for its Mary River project.

And in July, the federal government ordered an audit of the NPC's finances. Tootoosaid the commission had nothing to hide and welcomed the audit.

Tootoo's resignation will be effectivemidnight Friday.