Yellowknife (July 21/03) - Former Nanulik MLA and former minister of education for Nunavut, James Arvaluk, appeared in territorial court last Monday to set a date for his sentencing.

James Arvaluk

Arvaluk was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm in mid June by Judge Earl Johnson.

He'll have to wait another two months before finding out his fate. His sentencing will be held on Sept. 16.

The assault dates back to August, 2000, in Coral Harbour. Arvaluk repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the head after a night of drinking and playing cards. The woman was left with no feeling in her lower lip and a wound that required 14 stitches.

The maximum sentence Arvaluk can receive for the summary offence is 18 months imprisonment. If his crime had been prosecuted as an indictable offence, Arvaluk could have served up to 14 years in prison.

This was the second time Arvaluk was tried for the assault. He was acquitted of the charges in June, 2001, after a Nunavut judge ruled that it was a consensual brawl.

The Nunavut Court of Appeal ordered a new trial.

A by-election to fill the now-vacant seat for Nanulik MLA is set for Sept. 2.