IQALUIT - Former premier Paul Okalik was the subject of a review tabled by Nunavut's integrity commissioner in the legislative assembly on Nov. 26.

The report, requested by Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo and conducted by integrity commissioner Norman Pickell, states that Okalik violated Nunavut's Integrity Act by requesting donations from deputy ministers during his re-election campaign in 2008. Okalik was running for MLA for Iqaluit West.

He was still premier during his campaign, and requesting funding from deputy ministers violated the act because deputy ministers are appointed by the premier, the report stated.

"Deputy ministers are appointed to their positions by the premier and hold the position at the pleasure of the premier," the report reads.

The premier also decides performance bonuses for deputy ministers.

The contributions from deputy ministers was requested in letters sent out during Okalik's campaign. Each letter was signed by Nadia Ciccone, his financial agent.

Tootoo alleged that the letters were "tailored" to each minister to ensure that if a letter was made public, Ciccone would know which minister had disclosed the document.

Pickell said he accepted as fact that the letters were tailored.

Okalik was aware that letters were being sent to deputy ministers, according to the report. Pickell repeatedly stated that "there is no suggestion by anyone that Mr. Okalik did use or would have used his power as premier to terminate or otherwise discipline any deputy ministers at any time who did not contribute to his re-election campaign."

Okalik told News/North that his actions can be interpreted differently in other parts of Canada.

"If you look at other jurisdictions, they have interpreted the other way and other ministers have found to be not in conflict," said Okalik, who is a lawyer.

Pickell suggested Okalik should be reprimanded in the legislative assembly and apologize for his actions. If he fails to do so within five days after the assembly reviews and potentially endorses Pickell's findings, Pickell recommended Okalik suspended without pay.

Okalik said he will accept any sanctions imposed on him by the legislative assembly.

"I accept whatever outcome my colleagues recommend," he said. "Quite frankly, I have better things to do, I'm focused on my job."