Justin Trudeau says Hunter Tootoo resigned after 'very difficult situation'
Fisheries minister quits cabinet and caucus, saying he will seek treatment for addiction
Prime Minister Justin Trudeauhad little to say today after the abrupt resignation of Hunter Tootoo, the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard,the night before.
- Hunter Tootoo joins list of cabinet members making a sudden exit
- 'You got this cuz:' Northerners express support, concern for Tootoo
- Tootoo suddenly resigns from Liberal cabinet to seek treatment for addiction
"As was announced yesterday, Hunter Tootoo has left the Liberal caucus and resigned from cabinet to seek treatment for addiction issues," Trudeau saidin his first public words since the resignation of the fisheries minister.
"This was his own choice after a verydifficultsituation and we'll have nothing further to say on the matter," Trudeau said on Parliament Hill, before making his wayinto his party's weekly caucus meeting Wednesday morning.
Trudeau did not specify what kind ofaddiction issues Tootoois seeking treatment for, nor did he elaborate on the "very difficult situation."
He did not take questions from reporters.
Government House leader Dominic Leblanc, who has taken over as fisheries minister, said he had nothing more to add after the prime minister spoke.
Tootoo released a statement Tuesday night saying, "I have decided to seek treatment for addiction issues and ask for privacy at this time."
'He's gone silent'
Independent Senator Murray Sinclair, a former judge and the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said he would offer a sympathetic ear toTootooshould the Nunavut MPchoose to open up about his struggle with addiction.
In a phone interview with CBC News, Sinclair said he knows Tootoo and his family well but hasn't heard from them since news of his resignation was made public.
"I have not had a chance to speak to him," Sinclair said Wednesday. "Buthe's gone silent. He's asked to be given his privacy and I respect that."
Sinclair said while he respects Tootoo's need for privacy, he did reach out to the Nunavut MP.
"I have advised his office that if he wishes to talk, I'll be glad to sit down and chat with him."
Tootoo became the second Inuk to be appointed as a senior federal cabinet minister, afterformer Conservative minister Leona Aglukkaq.
The MP from Nunavutwas one of eight Indigenous MPs elected to the Liberal caucus in the federal election on Oct. 19.
Tootoo is cousins with Jordin Tootoo, aCanadian professional hockey player, currently withtheNew Jersey Devils.
The NHL playerrecently authored a book detailing not only with his struggles in the league, but his continuing battle with alcohol addiction.
On Wednesday, he expressed support for the Nunavut MP in a post on Twitter.
It takes blood sweat and tears to stand up and ask for help from a real man. @HunterTootoo admitting is the 1st step. You got this cuz.
—@Jtootoo22Earlier in the day, severalLiberalMPs wishedTootoowell as theymade their way into caucusbeforeTrudeau'sbrief remarks.
Government WhipAndrew Leslie said in French he admiredTootoo'scourage and that seeking treatment was theright thing to do.
"I hope for his full recovery and I look forward to seeing him back," said Quebec Liberal MP GregFergus.
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