Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk ought to hold public meetings in his constituency to apologize for twice violating the Integrity Act, Nunavut’s Integrity Commissioner, Robert Stanbury, recommends in a report issued last week.
But if Akesuk wants to, he may take nearly half a year just to think about it.That’s because Stanbury’s recommendations aren’t binding on Akesuk until after they are accepted by the Nunavut legislative assembly. The Integrity Act says MLAs may either accept or reject those recommendations, but not change them.
And since MLAs are taking a five-and-a-half month break in their legislative duties this year, the issue will be on ice for a while. The assembly’s first session ended June 3, and its second session won’t start until Nov. 16.
In his report, Stanbury confirmed that Akesuk violated the Integrity Act not once, but twice, when in 2003 and 2004 he failed to dislose a debt worth more than $10,000 owed to the Muncipality of Cape Dorset for back-rent on a social housing unit he once occupied.
Stanbury said the first violation, in 2003, deprived his constituents of “one means of judging the merit of his candidacy for re-election.”
Akesuk, who gets $120,000 a year plus other payments under the GN’s generous benefit and bonus system, is now having $300 deducted from his bank account every two weeks and sent to the Hamlet of Cape Dorset, which runs social housing in that community.
Premier Paul Okalik appears unconcerned about his minister’s transgression. Okalik’s press secretary, Bill Clay, said this week that Okalik will let MLAs handle Stanbury’s report.
In addition to the recommendation that Akesuk apologize at public meetings in Cape Dorset and Kimmirut, Stanbury also recommends that:
The Nunavut Economic Forum has named Jerry Ell as its executive director.
Ell has previously served as president of the Baffin Regional Chambre of Commerce and the Nunavut Chambre of Commerce. He was also chair of the Amarok Hunters and Trappers Association and director of the NWT Development Corporation.
Ell will manage day-to-day affairs for the forum from an office in the Igluvut building in Iqaluit.
The NEF was formed in May of this year when representatives from nearly 40 groups — including Inuit organizations, chambres of commerce, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, industry associations, labour, and government — met in Iqaluit during the annual trade show