MLA Katrina NoklebySA国际影视传媒檚 colleagues in the legislative assembly have unanimously supported the NWT integrity commissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 findings that Nokleby violated the MLA Code of Conduct by returning to Yellowknife during the wildfire evacuation in late August.

She will be fined $4,000, it was decided Friday.

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon expressed how serious he thought NoklebySA国际影视传媒檚 breach of conduct was.

SA国际影视传媒淭he transgression is not to be taken lightly as it goes against the very principle of responsibility for public safety that we as elected officials are entrusted to uphold,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t demonstrates a severe lack of judgementSA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e not above the law that we pass in this House.SA国际影视传媒�

He also pointed out the more severe punishment decided upon for his predecessor, Steve Norn, who resigned from the legislative assembly in November 2021 before he could be formally removed by his colleagues for violating Covid public health orders.

Edjericon attempted to make further comments about NoklebySA国际影视传媒檚 conduct in general but he was ruled out of order by the Speaker and cut off.

Julie Green, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, said residentsSA国际影视传媒� reaction to the news of NoklebySA国际影视传媒檚 return to Yellowknife was one of anger due to Nokleby seeming to have SA国际影视传媒渘o shared sense of anxiety and hardship. There was no compelling reason for the MLA to be in YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒� so in summary this was a selfish decision with no benefit to the community.SA国际影视传媒�

Green added that NoklebySA国际影视传媒檚 absense during the discussion of her conduct and punishment showed that she has SA国际影视传媒渘othing but disdain for this House.SA国际影视传媒�

Yellowknife South MLA Caroline Wawzonek noted that Nokleby, MLA for Great Slave, told the integrity commissioner that her emotional state was also a factor in her decision-making, but Wawzonek said many of her constituents also struggled with their emotional state and they couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 justify returning to Yellowknife because of it.

Frame Lake MLA Kevin OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly made a motion Friday that the intergrity commissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 recommendation for a $7,500 fine be reduced to $4,000 since Nokleby made a $3,500 donation to a charity that he did not identify.

Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson seconded the motion.

OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly noted that he otherwise fully accepts the integrity commissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 findings.