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IQALUIT - Nunavut's Minister of Justice has been stripped of his portfolio for remarks that appeared to assign blame to women in situations of domestic violence.

Louis Tapardjuk, minister of Justice and minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, was removed from his Justice portfolio on Saturday after an email he had written to government staff was brought to the attention of the premier's office Friday morning.

Minister of Justice Louis Tapardjuk was stripped of his portfolio and apologizes for remarks after damaging email leaked to Nunavut News/North Tapardjuk e-mail Tapardjuk retraction Premier Aariak - "This government does not condone violence against women or men in any way, for any reason, which the line seems to imply."

In the email, dated Jan. 21, the minister criticized the differences between the Canadian judicial system and "Inuit social control" He wrote: "Often, in cases of domestic disputes, both parties share the blame, but according to the criminal code, the person who gets physical is charged, even though the other party may have initiated the conflict. Often the male is charged even though the conflict may have been initiated by the female partner."

A Justice department employee, alarmed by the minister's point of view, leaked the email to Nunavut News/North on Thursday through a third party. The following day, the letter was forwarded to the premier's office with a request for comment. On Saturday, Premier Eva Aariak told Nunavut News/North she would be taking over the Justice portfolio immediately.

"This government does not condone violence against women or men in any way, for any reason, which the line seems to imply," she said.

It's "not acceptable, especially coming from a minister," she added. "Even an ordinary citizen should never use those phrases."

Aariak also censured Tapardjuk for accusations against social workers and police.

"The involvement of social services and police in marital problems is contributing to a growing number of divorces," he had stated in the email. "Parental and Elders' was better than interference by social workers or other qallunaat."

In an earlier part of the letter, Tapardjuk also blamed the judicial system causing young offenders to commit suicide.

"The Canadian justice system has killed more of our young people, through suicide, than were ever murdered, in any given period," he wrote.

Aariak said Tapardjuk's remarks in both cases were inappropriate.

"The RCMP and the justice system protect the public and the RCMP have actively intervened in assaults and so on and that in turn protects the family," she said. "They are seen as protectors of the community and the same thing with social workers."

A request for an interview regarding the contents of the letter was made to Tapardjuk's office on Friday. While he was reported to be unavailable for comment, his office scheduled an interview with Nunavut News/North the following afternoon.

An hour after the interview was intended to take place, his assistant cancelled the appointment, with the explanation that he was unaware of the request and was not prepared to answer questions.

Later in the day, Tapardjuk sent a retraction to the recipients of the email.

"Spousal abuse is not a simple matter and there is no justification for one party to assault another," he stated. "As regards the victims of spousal assault, I have long been a proponent of legislation and processes to help protect victims and I was instrumental in the passing of the Family Abuse Intervention Act (FAIFA) during the 2nd assembly."

Tapardjuk also apologized for his accusations against the justice system.

"I also wrongly accused the Canadian justice system for causing suicides and divorces," he said. "I only meant that the delays in the justice system causes stress to individuals and families. I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me."

Despite the impropriety of Tapardjuk's earlier remarks, Aariak said the letter, which explored the concept of IQ as the guiding principle of governance, was well intended as a whole.

"I perceive a need to differentiate between Inuit participation in government and adequate incorporation of IQ," Tapardjuk wrote in the Jan. 21 letter. "The goal is to involve those individuals - Elders - in the social life of Nunavut, who could contribute to counteracting the effects of rapid social change and disruption by providing cultural and social cohesiveness."

"By and large, his intent was to generate discussion on addressing justice holistically. It was to generate discussion," said Aariak. "Specifically, he aims to apply the wisdom of elders to prevent spousal assault."

"Given the intent of the email and his retraction, I am satisfied that he will continue to serve the people of Nunavut as the minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth," she added.

According to a press release issued by the premier's office on Saturday afternoon, the Justice portfolio will be reassigned during the legislative assembly's leadership forum on Jan. 26. A new minister will be sworn-in Jan. 29.