Tom Sammurtok, Nunavut MLA, charged with drunk driving

Tom Sammurtok, theMLA forRankinInlet North Chesterfield Inlet, has been stripped of his portfolioafter he was charged with drunk driving on Monday.

"I realize that I made a mistake and it is not acceptable to put myself or others at risk," Sammurtok says in a statementin which he apologizes to his constituents and colleagues.

Sammurtok goes on to say he will not make any excuses or place the blame elsewhere.

"I deeply regret my actions, and I am immediately taking steps to seek help and healing from professionals."

Premier Peter Taptuna, in a news release, says Johnny Mike, current Environment Minister,will take over as Minister of Community and Government Services, effective immediately.

But Taptuna doesn't have the power to remove Sammurtok from cabinet. In Nunavut's consensus government, cabinet ministersare chosen, and can only be removed, by a voteamong all members of the legislative assembly.

"Pending Minister Sammurtok's court appearance, he remainsminister without portfolio," Taptuna says in a news release.

Sammurtok's next court appearance is scheduled for May 21.