IQALUIT - Quttiktuq MLA Levi Barnabas was acclaimed as the newest member of cabinet last week, but the Qulliit Status of Women Council and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association are condemning the decision.

Quttiktuq MLA Levi Barnabas smiles after being acclaimed as the newest member of cabinet at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit last week. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

Members of those organizations spoke out against the appointment on Friday, concerned over Barnabas's conviction of sexual assault in 2000.

"What kind of message does this pass on to Nunavummiut?" asked Qulliit council member Trista Mercer. "Is it a message that violence against women is tolerated?"

Barnabas, who represents Arctic Bay, Nanisivik, Grise Fiord and Resolute, resigned as MLA in 2000 after pleading guilty to the crime. He was re-elected in 2004.

Last week's cabinet appointment was to replace David Simailak, who resigned as Finance and Economic Development minister in December.

James Arreak, MLA for Uqqumiut, declined the only other nomination put forth during the leadership forum at Nunavut's legislative assembly last Thursday.

Qulliit called a press conference the following day.

"Women came up to us today at lunch time and said they're in shock, they're in disbelief," said Neevee Wilkins, a Qulliit council member.

The group hopes Barnabas will either resign or show them that he has taken steps to rehabilitate himself, according to Wilkins.

In 2006, Qulliit called for a change to the Nunavut Elections Act that would bar people who have been convicted of a serious offence from office.

"If he can't even get a passport, why is he an MLA in the first place?" asked Mary Akpalialuk, women's co-ordinator for QIA.

Qulliit plans to renew their recommendation in the coming weeks.

Barnabas could not be reached for comment Friday.

He said Thursday he hopes to use his new position to better represent the small High Arctic communities.

"My predecessor (Ludy Pudluk) was a cabinet minister for six months, that was it," he said.

Although his portfolio will be chosen by Premier Paul Okalik in coming days, Barnabas said he is interested in Community and Government Services or Economic Development.

Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo skipped the leadership forum and Barnabas's swearing-in, saying it was a "waste of time and money" to appoint a new cabinet minister so close to a territorial election, which is tentatively set for Oct. 27.

He pointed to a "lack of passion" on the part of the government to deal with the mismanaged NBCC as one example of why he was disappointed.

"I've lost confidence in this government," Tootoo said. "Why would I want to be a part of this?"