By Canadian Press

Former cabinet minister Tootoo won’t seek re-election this fall in Nunavut

Jul 30, 2019 | 10:06 AM

OTTAWA — Former Liberal cabinet minister turned Independent MP Hunter Tootoo says he is not running in this fall’s election.

In a statement, Tootoo says he has decided to leave public life after much consideration.

He says it has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of Nunavut first as a member of the legislative assembly and then as a member of Parliament beginning in 2015.

Less than a year later, Tootoo quit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet and the Liberal caucus, apologizing for a “consensual but inappropriate relationship” with an unidentified person.

The former fisheries minister took a two-month hiatus to seek treatment for what he described as an alcohol addiction that he said took over his life and left his judgment clouded.

LIVE UPDATES

Road construction, detours and traffic in Medicine Hat

12h ago

WHAT TO KNOW

Canada Day 2024 in Medicine Hat: Here's what to know

Jul 01, 2024

WHAT'S ON

Top 5 things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in July

Jul 01, 2024

In his statement today, Tootoo thanks his family, friends and parliamentary colleagues who helped him through a difficult period in his life, adding he encourages anyone who suffers from addictions, mental illness or trauma to seek help they need to heal.

The Canadian Press