IQALUIT
More questions than answers remain following the temporary suspension of a Nunavut politician on March 6.

Qikiqtarjuaq's Samuel Nuqingaq was temporarily suspended as the MLA for the Uqqummiut constituency by the Nunavut government's management and services board on March 6. - NNSL file photo

The management and services board of Nunavut's legislative assembly made a motion to suspend Samuel Nuqingaq, who represents the Uqqummiut constituency, until the assembly reviews the status of the matter prior to the spring sitting.

Sixteen of Nuqingaq's colleagues voted in favor of the motion, while two voted against and one abstained.

The reasoning behind the suspension is unclear and makes no particular reference to an offence or event.

"It is the judgment of this house that public trust and confidence in the legislative assembly and the dignity and reputation of this institution are best served if the member for Uqqummiut does not take part in its proceedings," stated Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq on March 6.

The penalty angered some residents of the constituency, which includes Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq, who fear they may go without representation until the end of the sitting, which is March 21. Nuqingaq is a resident of Qikiqtarjuaq.

According to the legislative assembly calendar, the spring sitting of the house "shall commence no earlier than the first Tuesday in May."

Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine said he spoke about the issue with councillors at a recent meeting and they're upset with the decision.

"We don't like the fact that the government just suspended him and didn't consult us on how we're going to get our concerns across to the legislative assembly," Natanine said.

"We want to know why, what the reasons are. The only thing we know is that he missed a few days of orientation in November."

Natanine was referring to a two-day absence during the legislative assembly's orientation session in early November, followed by a half-day absence during the Nunavut leadership forum on Nov. 15.

Natanine said he would like to see a measure implemented that would guarantee a community's representation at all times but, until then, he's already been offered some help.

"The MLA for Pond Inlet (Joe Enook) personally told me he can put forward anything we need," Natanine said.

Enook said he made the offer because he believes all residents of Nunavut should be represented in the assembly while a member is absent for a period of time, regardless of the reason.

"If both communities have pressing issues they think need to be addressed in the House for public knowledge, then I have no issue helping them out," he said in an e-mail.

Nuqingaq, like all MLAs, receives a basic annual indemnity but will have to forego a fraction of it as part of his penalty.

John Quirke, clerk of the assembly, explained the cut in salary is based on the amount of time Nuqingaq is suspended.

"The board has authorized a partial reduction in the member for Uqqummiut's indemnity, which is based on the number of days in which the house is sitting or its committees are meeting," he stated in an e-mail.

"In effect, the member will not be paid for those days, as he has been suspended from the institution's proceedings."

This isn't the first time a MLA has been temporarily suspended, Quirke added.

During the 3rd legislative assembly, the former member for Nattilik, Enuk Pauloosie, was suspended from sittings following the passage of a formal motion.

Nuqingaq did not reply to a request for comment.