IQALUIT - Nunavut's legislative assembly suspended one of its members Thursday while he faces a criminal code charge and removed another from a standing committee.

The legislature voted unanimously to suspend Pangnirtung MLA Adamee Komoartok, who faces one count of assault causing bodily harm, until the legislature's spring sitting. - NNSL file photo

The legislature voted unanimously to suspend Pangnirtung MLA Adamee Komoartok, who faces one count of assault causing bodily harm, until the legislature's spring sitting.

Komoartok was not present for the vote. Tununiq MLA James Arvaluk and Baker Lake MLA Moses Aupaluktuq were also absent.

It's not the first time Komoartok was suspended from the legislature as he was censured on Nov. 27, 2009 for drunken behaviour during a stay at a southern boarding home.

Nanulik MLA Johnny Ningeongan moved to have Komoartok suspended until the spring session, at which point the assembly will decide whether or not to continue the suspension. He added the Management and Services Board will determine whether Komoartok will be suspended with or without pay.

"Actions like these are taken very seriously. We don't do this for the sake of wanting to get rid of a member. We have to set the stage for all Nunavutmiut as leaders and so forth. Violence is a very serious issue. We have to show that," he said outside the legislative assembly. "I am hoping that it will be something that Mr. Komoartok will be able to think about and hopefully, he will be able to come back to the house and represent the community of Pangnirtung."

Amittuq MLA Louis Tapardjuk said anyone who does not behave in a manner acceptable to his constituents will have to pay the consequences.

"It is very sad, indeed," he said. "We would have rather not dealt with it but we have to show maturity at the legislature and we expect Nunavummiut to have a trust in their government that these kinds of actions, not matter who it may be, will not be tolerated. It's important that we vote according to our conscience and that's exactly what I did."

Earlier in the day, Baker Lake MLA Aupaluktuq was removed as the chairman of social wellness committee to be replaced by Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk.

"We've already gone through the process of removing him from the committee," said Tapardjuk.

A "very strong letter" was sent to Aupaluktuq, said Ningeongan, the contents of which he would not discuss.

"We leave it to the individuals to make the right choice to hopefully get back to joining us in the house again," he said.

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