Prime Minister Justin Trudeau briefly addressed the departure of one of his cabinet ministers on Wednesday morning before heading into a caucus meeting, but provided no new details about what prompted Hunter Tootoo to step down.
Tootoo abruptly resigned as the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on Tuesday evening, and also left the Liberal caucus. A release from the prime minister’s office cited “addiction issues” as the main reason behind his departure.
“This was his own choice after a very difficult situation,” the prime minister said in a very brief statement Wednesday. “We will have nothing more to say on this matter.”
Asked what the ‘”situation” was, Trudeau did not respond.
Several Liberal MPs stopped to talk to reporters on their way into the caucus meeting, with the majority saying they were glad to see Tootoo seeking help. None shed any additional light on the situation, however.
“All I can do is wish Hunter well,” said veteran MP Wayne Easter. “These things are never easy. I just wish him courage and godspeed in getting it addressed.”
Quebec MP Greg Fergus said it’s a “tough life to be an MP,” and to have addiction issues at the same time “is not a good mix.” He also wished Tootoo well in his recovery and said he “absolutely” would like to see him return to caucus.
WATCH: Hunter Tootoo stepped down from cabinet and the Liberal caucus on Tuesday night. Mike Le Couteur reports.
Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie had even less to say.
“I admire his courage and I think it’s a good thing to seek medical attention,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tootoo’s cousin, NHL player Jordin Tootoo, tweeted his support on Wednesday morning.
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations also took to Twitter early Wednesday to convey a message of encouragement.
Tootoo is the second Liberal to step back from his duties as a result of addiction problems in recent months. Newfoundland and Labrador MP Seamus O’Regan sought treatment for alcohol issues late last year, but remained in the Liberal caucus and received a public message of support from the prime minister. He has since returned to work.
Tootoo has been replaced in his role as Minster of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard by government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc.
LeBlanc’s father, Romeo LeBlanc, held the same position under Trudeau’s father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, in the early 1970s.