Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won’t say whether Hunter Tootoo will be welcomed back into the Liberal caucus after he completes addiction treatment.
“I have no other comments to make on this issue at this time,” Trudeau told reporters when asked if the former fisheries minister could return to caucus, at a press conference in Ottawa Thursday.
Tootoo resigned from cabinet and the Liberal caucus Tuesday night, saying he was leaving to seek treatment for addiction.
A source close to Tootoo told Global News the politician had been considering getting help for alcohol addiction for a while, and the decision to do so didn’t come as a surprise.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister said Tootoo’s resignation was “his own choice” and came after a “very difficult situation.”
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Late last year, Newfoundland MP Seamus O’Regan sought addiction treatment as well, but didn’t have to resign from caucus to do so.
Trudeau would not reveal what the difficult situation he referred to was, nor why Tootoo had to leave the Liberal caucus and O’Regan didn’t.
“Every situation is different but fundamentally Mr. Tootoo offered his resignation from caucus and offered to step away from the Liberal caucus,” Trudeau said. “And I accepted that.”
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Trudeau’s initial reaction to the two situations is also revealing.
After O’Regan announced he was seeking treatment the PM tweeted his “full support,” while, following Tootoo’s resignation, Trudeau released a tersely worded statement saying just that the minister “will be taking time to seek treatment.”
Yesterday Government Whip Andrew Leslie also refused to address whether Tootoo will be allowed back into the Liberal caucus.
“I admire his courage and I think it’s a good thing to seek medical attention,” Leslie said.