Federal Fisheries Minister steps down to address personal issues

Hunter Tootoo, the Federal Fisheries Minister
andMinister responsible for the
Canadian Coast stepped down Tuesday

A key minister in the Liberal cabinet has stepped aside to take care of personal issues,  a shift in personnel at the Federal level which will leave some important items for the North Coast up in the air for the short term.

Hunter Tootoo, the Minister of Fisheries and the Coast Guard announced his departure from the federal scene with a statement late Tuesday afternoon, citing his desire to address addictions issues and asking for privacy at this time.

In addition to his Ministerial responsibilities, Mr. Hunter represented the Nunavut riding as the MP for that community in the House of Commons.

The news out of Ottawa quickly spread from the national capital as the evening moved forward, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issuing a statement early Tuesday evening Ottawa time confirming the news of Minister Tootoo's departure.

For the North Coast the timing of his departure will leave a number of important files still to be addressed, including issues related to the CEAA process for the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG project, the Federal Governments plans for a Tanker Ban on the west coast, as well as some initiatives that have passed his way when it comes to concerns over the west coast salmon fishery.

You can review some of the items of note that have been forwarded to the Fisheries Minister from our archive pages below:

Fishing Industry
Pacific NorthWest LNG project
Oil Terminal Proposals for the Northwest

Dominic Leblac, the Federal Government's House Leader will take up Minister Toottoo's cabinet responsibilities.

Some background on today's announcement can be found below:

Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo resigns from cabinet to seek addiction treatment
Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo leaving caucus over 'addiction issues': PM
Hunter Tootoo resigns as fisheries minister, leaves federal caucus
Hunter Tootoo resigns from cabinet, leaves Liberal caucus
Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo leaving caucus over 'addiction issues'
Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo resigns
Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo resigns from Trudeau cabinet, cites 'addiction issues'
Canada's Fisheries Minister Tootoo Quits Post, to Seek Treatment
Justin Trudeau appoints Dominic LeBlanc as fisheries minister following resignation of Hunter Tootoo
Hunter Tootoo resigns as fisheries minister to seek alcohol treatment



Cross posted from the North Coast Review