Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 21, 2008

NUNAVUT - After only three months as Nunavut's acting integrity commissioner, David Phillip Jones has resigned from the position, a spokesperson from his office told Nunavut News/North, Thursday afternoon.

The spokesperson went on to say Jones will be replaced by Norman Pickell from Ontario.

"We are in the process of handing all our materials over to him," said the spokesperson.

Jones resigned earlier this month.

Although it had not yet been made official Thursday afternoon, Pickell said he was looking forward to the opportunity.

"I'm delighted," said Pickell. "It's an honour and a privilege to get appointed to that position."

The Nunavut integrity commissioner will be tasked with deciding whether Baker Lake MLA David Simailak abused a blind trust agreement elected members are supposed to have in regards to their business interests.

"(The documents) are sitting in front of me here, five feet from my phone," said Pickell.

Pickell would not comment on the issue, saying he had only scratched the surface of the case's history and that he wanted to speak with Simailak, who has been away from home. Also, he did not want to speak before he was publicly named to the position.

Pickell said he hopes to have a decision on the matter before the legislative assembly reconvenes on Sept. 9, and before the territorial election campaigns kick off.

"It's important for everyone that the matter be resolved by the beginning of September," said Pickell.

Jones was not available for comment.