IQALUIT - The recently-ousted president of Nunavut Tunngavik said he did not expect to be kicked out of the corporation late last month.

Paul Kaludjak: recently-ousted president of Nunavut Tunngavik said he did not expect to be kicked out of the corporation late last month. - NNSL file photo

Paul Kaludjak had been serving a 60-day suspension with pay since Aug. 30 for misuse of a corporate credit card after racking up nearly $52,000 in what NTI determined to be questionable charges. First vice-president James Eetoolook had been acting as president while Kaludjak was serving his suspension, due to end Oct. 30.

But Kaludjak was dismissed following a unanimous vote during NTI's annual general meeting in Rankin Inlet late last month.

“On my part, there was no intent to violating the policy or do any kind of misconduct within my role. I did not see this coming,” said Kaludjak. “I am trying to collect myself, of course. It's difficult to absorb all that's happened in a very short time. You weren't really prepared for it, so I am working through the ropes and trying to get to explore my options right now and go from there.”

The resolution to dismiss him stated he had contravened NTI's code of conduct during his suspension. Eetoolook had added that comments made to the media were also part of the reason Kaludjak was removed from office.

Kaludjak said he believes there were two or three reasons he was let go but he is sure of only one.

“I suppose my generosity,” he said. “They told me I was over my budget and I had some kind of a breach but I wasn't sure which that was.”

Kaludjak also said he does not have a clear understanding how he breached NTI's code of conduct.

“It was mentioned to me that I spoke about something I wasn't supposed to say or something but I wasn't sure of it. It remains to be cleared up exactly what that was,” he said.

Kaludjak said the process NTI normally uses to resolve concerns with expenses was not used, adding it was “short-circuited.” He said NTI normally works out any concerns.

“The board decided, which I also disagreed with, they wanted me to pay the whole thing, which I was left holding the bag. I ended up being treated unfairly on terms of reimbursing the whole expense that was being talked about,” he said.

Eetoolook will continue to be the acting president until a byelection is held Dec. 13, the same day the territory's Inuit beneficiaries are set to elect two vice-presidents. The person elected will fill the remainder of Kaludjak's term, set to expire in December 2012.

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