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Ousting not linked with previous allegations: premier Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, March 26, 2012
The current allegations, that he acted in "conflict of interest and abused his authority as minister," caused Aariak to strip him of his ministerial portfolios, she announced on March 11. He will continue to collect his cabinet-member salary. She stated via e-mail she was "disappointed" when she became aware of the information. "To hold ministerial portfolios in the executive council is a position of utmost trust and privilege, and it is my responsibility to ensure the executive council is held to the highest standard," stated Aariak in a press release. "At the discretion of full caucus, Schell will continue to sit on the executive council. His portfolios have been reassigned." Schell, who joined cabinet on Sept. 28, 2011, was the minister of Human Resources and minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, homelessness and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission. Kugluktuk MLA Peter Taptuna will now be responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation and homelessness while Arviat MLA Daniel Shewchuk is the new human resources minister. Shewchuck, also via e-mail, told Nunavut News/North "I accept the responsibility and will do my best to fulfill obligations that come with it." Lorne Kusugak, the MLA for Rankin Inlet South-Whale Cove, is the new minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Board. Last fall, Integrity Commissioner Norman Pickell found Schell guilty of violated the Integrity Act, saying Schell wrote an "intimidating e-mail" to "influence" a government employee in June 2009 about a contract between Polar Supplies, then his company, and the Hamlet of Cape Dorset. Polar Supplies was put into a blind trust in January 2010. Schell was accused of four breaches of the act but was found not guilty on three of the counts. The legislative assembly had fined Schell $1,000 for the violation.
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