MLA Michael Nadli will not lose position after assault conviction

Dehcho MLA Michael Nadli isn't commenting on his political future after pleading guilty to a charge of assault, but any decision about his political future won't be decided by the N.W.T.'s Legislative Assembly.

Legislative Assembly Clerk Tim Mercer says according to the current rules,MLAs are only in danger of losing their position if they go to jail.

"If at any point after being elected a member would ceaseto beeligible to be a candidate in an up and coming election then a seat would be declared vacant," he says, "and a member is not eligible to be a candidate if they are incarcerated in a correctional facility."

Mercer did say thatthe Assembly does have the power to discipline members, and even kick them out of office, but that it has never happened in the N.W.T.

No MLAs call for resignation

CBC reached out to several regular MLAs. None suggested thatNadli should resign his position.

Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny, who has worked alongside Nadli for more than three years, says that"it's a tough call to make if Michael Nadli should step down," and that "only Michael Nadli can answer that question."

Dolynny saysNadli "offered a lot to the Assembly in his leadership," adding "he was very professional through this whole ordeal. He still did his work through that whole process."

Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro wrote in an emailthatshe has no issues with Nadli's conduct in the workplace, saying that"the rules of the Assembly do not require an MLA to resign.

"Mr. Nadli is doing a good job as an MLA," Bisarowrote."My view is that any decision about his job should be up to him.That said, I think the 18th Assembly Caucus should revisit the rules around MLAs and court convictions (and)discuss whether or not things should change. A periodic review of anything is always a good thing in my mind."

MLA will attend counseling in Yellowknife

Nadli is has been ordered to serve inthe N.W.T.'s Domestic Violence Treatment Option, aneight-session programdescribed as an"option for low-risk offenders who take responsibility for their actions" by pleading guilty.

The Domestic Violence Treatment Options (DVTO) Courtwas implemented by the Northwest Territoriesin March2011. Completing the course can be a mitigating factor in sentencing.