Joanasie censured for impaired driving
Public shaming limit of 'warning' after court issues punishment
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 27, 2014
IQALUIT
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie apologized for his "unacceptable conduct" after legislators gave him a "warning" Oct. 21 to behave, following a guilty plea to impaired driving in P.E.I. in July.
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie apologizes in the legislature after being censured for driving while impaired. He pleaded guilty in a Prince Edward Island court and is barred from driving until July. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
"The blame lies entirely with me as it was my choice to consume alcohol, which led to my unacceptable conduct," he said in the legislature.
Joanasie accepted responsibility for driving the wrong way, with a flat tire, down a one-way street and evading police in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on the night of July 7.
He spent that night in jail, paid a $1,200 fine and $500 victim surcharge, and donated $500 to the Arctic Child and Youth Foundation.
He apologized to his family, constituents in Kimmirut and Cape Dorset, and to the people of Charlottetown and P.E.I.
"The incident this summer which resulted in my pleading guilty to charges related to impaired driving was one of the lowest points of my life.
"I've had a lot of time in which to reflect on my actions and my conduct, and I know that I have let many people down, including people who are very close to me.
"I am extremely thankful that nobody was injured in this incident and that it did not result in any harm other than to my own reputation."
He hoped the experience would discourage others from "making the same mistake."
"My experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible alcohol consumption and the importance of never operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol," he said.
He noted that instead of drawing out the legal process, he asked his lawyer to get an early hearing and speed the process along by pleading guilty.
As part of his punishment, he is barred from driving until next July and is in the process of having a formal alcohol assessment.
For the most part, this was good enough for his fellow legislators. Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes said he was being censured with no further punishment.
"Basically, there are no further consequences," Hickes said. "It's a public dressing down, just acknowledging that he's acknowledging that it was inappropriate. If that type of conduct ever happens again, there will be more serious consequences. It's like a warning."
He said Joanasie is repentant.
"It was very out of character for him," he said.
