Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Hunter Tootoo, announces the federal government’s commitment to reopening the Kitsilano Coast Guard facility, in Vancouver, B.C., on December 16, 2015. Hunter Tootoo has been working through “deeply personal and private issues,” the ex-Liberal said Wednesday as he resumed his MP duties following two months off to seek treatment for alcohol addiction. Tootoo, who represents the northern riding of Nunavut, held a news conference at his office in Iqaluit, his first appearance in the public eye since abruptly leaving cabinet and caucus at the end of May. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
OTTAWA — The office of Hunter Tootoo says the Independent MP and former Liberal caucus member will “absolutely not” resign his House of Commons seat.
The Nunavut MP, who quit the Liberal cabinet and caucus on May 31, also plans to embark on a tour of his riding later this month to reach out to constituents.
Tootoo admitted Wednesday to having been involved in a “consensual but inappropriate” workplace relationship prior to leaving the Liberals.
The Prime Minister’s Office says Tootoo told Justin Trudeau directly about the relationship before the MP embarked on a two-month leave of absence to seek help for an alcohol addiction.
In June, Trudeau issued a terse statement that said Tootoo’s decision was his and his alone following “a very difficult situation.”
Some in the northern region, including Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern, say Tootoo has been under mounting pressure to surrender his Commons seat.
