Committee calls for removal of N.L. Inuit politician for remarks against women

NAIN, N.L.- A discipline committee says it is recommending the removal of a suspended member of the Nunatsiavut government in Labrador for remarks made about Inuit women and Inuit at an event last month.

On Monday, the Nunatsiavut government released the outcome of a discipline hearing held last week into code of conduct complaints against Max Blake, the representative for Upper Lake Melville.

The discipline committee found that Blake broke the government's code of conduct on two occasions while attending a research forum in Nain last month, though few details were released about the incidents.

According to a government statement, the committee suspended Blake without pay for three months for treating "constituents and members of the public with abuse and disrespect'' on June 3.

The second incident, which involved "disparaging comments against Inuit women and Inuit,'' happened the following day.

The discipline committee cited drunkenness as a major factor in Blake's behaviour in both incidents.

The government says an elected official can only be removed from office by a 60 per cent majority vote of the members of the assembly.

Blake will have an opportunity to defend himself at an upcoming vote.-CP-