IQALUIT
Nunavut's Member of Parliament, Hunter Tootoo, resigned from cabinet and the Liberal caucus May 31 after a sex scandal saw him seek addictions treatment for a self-admitted alcohol problem.

He returned to his constituency in early August amid calls for his resignation.

He vowed at the time to double down on his work representing the territory. Tootoo spoke with Nunavut News/North Jan. 24 for our first one-on-one interview since he resigned.

N/N: What do you do in Ottawa day-to-day?

HT: I thought I would be less busy not being in cabinet, but that's not the case. I participate in three standing committees: the Health Standing Committee, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Standing Committee and the Transportation Standing Committee.

We meet three, four times a week and when those meetings are held I attend those meetings. I have all kinds of meetings with different groups and individuals in my office in Ottawa.

I get ready for my questions in Question Period. I get a question a week.

I take advantage of that opportunity to raise issues and concerns that are important to Nunavummiut.

N/N: Are you saying you're more focused on Nunavut not being a cabinet minister?

HT: Absolutely. I have the freedom as an independent MP to raise issues and concerns related to Nunavut without any vetting process, and taking advantage of any opportunity I can.

Also knowing full well there's a benefit from coming from a consensus-style government here in Nunavut, they know that I'm willing to work with them. I think we all have a common goal and I've always felt working together to help achieve that is better than battling each other.

N/N: What are the key areas you're working on for Nunavut?

HT: Where to start? There are so many issues and challenges. One of the main focuses I want to draw attention to is health and mental health, and the suicide rates here.

As well as making the federal government aware, and working in collaboration with the Government of Nunavut and NTI (Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.) on what their priorities are. I know with the GN, one of the asks that they've had since 1999, is housing.

Also, helping to address some of the aging power plants we have here in Nunavut, given the government's desire to assist Nunavut and Northern communities get off diesel and look toward cleaner energy solutions.

We're working on developing a strong economic base here and a lot of that comes down to just basic infrastructure.

N/N: What was your reaction to the oil and gas ban in Canadian Arctic waters and also the fact that the Coast Guard auxiliary is going to be volunteer? Were you consulted? And would the result have been different if you were still a cabinet member?

HT: On the oil and gas moratorium announcement, I think that caught everyone by surprise, including myself.

I was surprised and disappointed that decision was made and announced without consultation, coming from a government that prides itself on consultation and (being) committed to working on renewing the Inuit-to-Crown relationship, and working as federal-territorial partners moving forward.

There will be conservation and environmental benefits out of that, which are great for up here. But the lack of consultation, that's something I plan on addressing when I go back starting next week in the House of Commons.

I think we all know there were some timeframes that probably wanted to be met with the election in the U.S. and the transition from president Obama to President Trump. That probably had a lot to do with it.

I don't think whether I was in cabinet or in caucus or anywhere it would have made a difference in any of that.

As far as the Coast Guard auxiliary, I'm not entirely sure what the plans are. I know that they're a part of the $1.5 billion oceans protection fund that the prime minister announced.

I'll be working very diligently with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Coast Guard to try and access and make sure that Nunavut gets its fair share of that funding.

N/N: Describe your relationship with your constituents.

HT: It's been tremendous. Since I came back in the fall I knew I had to get out and reconnect with my constituents. I've travelled to places like Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Arviat, Rankin, Panniqtuuq, Clyde River.

Honestly, I've been overwhelmed and grateful, truly grateful for the amount of support that I've been receiving from them, from people across the North, from my colleagues in the House of Commons, and across the country. It's been tremendous and very helpful to me.

N/N: How is your health, your mental health?

HT: I'm great. I've never felt better in my life. I'm focused.

I'm healthy. And right now I'm just focused on doing my job and staying healthy.

N/N: Will you seek to be a member of a party in the future?

HT: Like I said in the fall, I'm focused on one step at a time. Right now I'm continuing to reconnect with my constituents.

I want to travel to some of the other communities that I haven't been able to get to, as time permits. I said during the campaign that I wouldn't be one of those people you don't see until just before the next election.

N/N: People are already talking about the next Canadian election in the aftermath of the American election and the Conservative Party leadership jostle – where do you see yourself politically in 2019?

HT: Like I said, I'm taking things one step at a time.

N/N: I didn't see that one coming …

HT: One step at a time and who knows what the future holds.

Right now I'm just focused on what the people of Nunavut entrusted me to do, raise issues and represent them in the House of Commons.

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