Nunavut MLA Komoartok resigns

Residents of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, will have to elect a new MLA later this year, after Adamee Komoartok resigned amid controversy about an alleged assault earlier this month.

Komoartok, 57, announced his resignation Tuesday on the radio station in Pangnirtung, the community he had represented in the territorial legislature since 2008.

Komoartok officiallystepped downlater that afternoon. A byelection will now have to becalled to fill the vacant seat.

"I think we're all sad, but he really cares about the community that he wants us to move forward," Pangnirtung Mayor Sakiasie Sowdlooapik told CBC News.

"He understands that and I understand that, and I think it's the right thing to do."

Last week, MLAs suspended Komoartok after he was charged with assault causing bodily harm in connection with an allegedalcohol-fuelled attack involving his spouse on March 6 in Iqaluit.

His wife, 53-year-old Penena Mosesee, has also been charged with assaulting Komoartok the same day.

Byelection could be in fall

Both Komoartok and Mosesee have been ordered to abstain from consuming alcohol or drugs until their charges are heard, according to court documents.

With the Pangnirtung seat now empty, legislative assembly clerk John Quirke said Elections Nunavut are working out possible byelection dates for cabinet to consider.

"We looked very quickly at how late it can be held. Based on the six-month requirement, that would be Sept. 12," Quirke said.

"That would give us six months, less a few days, because elections are always held on a Monday."

Quirke said summers are generally a bad time for byelections, since many potential candidates and voters are out on the land.

Elections Nunavut plans topropose some byelection dates to cabinet by next week. Cabinet MLAs will then finalize the date so the byelection process can get underway.

Zero tolerance message

When MLAs suspended Komoartok from the legislature last week, they said they wanted to send a message that violence will not be tolerated.

Hamlet officials in Pangnirtungthanked Komoartok for his work as their MLA but also said they agree with his decision to step down.

"The hamlet council has a zero tolerance policy towards violence," the officials stated ina release.

"The council also believes that elected officials must be held to the highest standard of behaviour."

In November 2009, MLAs censured Komoartok after he admitted to drunk, inappropriate behaviour at a medical boarding home in Ottawa.