Board suspends NTI president Quassa
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Nov 06/00) - Suspended NTI President Paul Quassa says he was surprised that concerns over his spending habits went to the board level.
Quassa is confident he will keep his post as president when he meets today (Monday) with NTI directors to propose repayment of undisclosed amount of money that belongs to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
 Paul Quassa |
"All of the executive members have the privilege of using the corporate credit card and sometimes we use it for personal use, I have just been late in paying back what I owe."
Quassa was suspended on Oct. 31 after executive board members held a two-hour teleconference. The meeting was held after the NTI finance department detailed irregularities with Quassa's reporting and use of petty cash, travel expenses and the corporate credit card.
"I was made aware of the discrepancies on Oct. 27 and all of the executive members and myself held an informal meeting," said Quassa, who was on a community tour in Ottawa when the suspension was handed down.
"We discussed the issue and agreed we would take care of it -- I was a little surprised to see it go to the board level."
The board, however, was just following standard procedures when they held the formal meeting that excluded Quassa, said first vice-president and acting president James Eetoolook.
"The incidents are still under review by the finance department and I can't say how much money is in question," said Eetoolook.
"This is our procedure for dealing with situations like this and (today) (Paul) Quassa will have to reconcile his travel expense records, credit card and petty cash use to the board."
Eetoolook also added that Quassa has been working hard and effectively since his election in December 1999.
After Quassa presents his case to the board, members will express their concerns and comments before arriving at a decision.
Quassa's suspension comes on the heals of the dismissal of Pauloosie Keyootak, former president and chief executive officer of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, for breaching provisions within the corporation's code of conduct.
