Many Nunavut MLAs face the law but not political consequences

By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Nanulik MLA James Arvaluk had battled his criminal charges for two years before a judge found him guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend in Coral Harbour. “I’m not worried about the sentence,” Arvaluk said shortly after the ruling in 2003, “but my political career is over.” He was wrong. In 2004, a judge sentenced him to nine months in jail. Two years later, Arvaluk went on to win a byelection in Tununiq, the riding that encompasses Pond Inlet. He won the seat again in 2008. In the end, it was bad health that forced Ar…