Majority of Nunavut MLAs vote to remove minister from cabinet over Facebook post

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Nunavut’s legislature members have voted former housing and Nunavut Arctic College minister Patterk Netser out of cabinet over a post he made on social media.

The vote this morning saw 14 MLAs vote in favour and three against, with one abstention.

Premier Joe Savikataaq put a motion forward earlier this week to remove Netser from cabinet.

Savikataaq stripped him of his portfolios on Oct. 8, soon after Netser made a Facebook post that said “All lives matter” and criticized Black women for having abortions.

Because Nunavut has a consensus-style government, only a full caucus can remove cabinet members.

Netser, who represents Coral Harbour and Naujaat, will stay on as an MLA.

A leadership forum is expected to take place next week to select Netser’s replacement in cabinet.

The Canadian Press