Canada’s first Innu cabinet minister, Peter Penashue, resigned on Thursday over illicit donations to his 2011 election campaign.
The Tory intergovernmental affairs minister and president of Canada’s Privy Council has faced opposition attacks for months over allegations of overspending on the campaign and accepting illegal contributions from corporations.
In a statement, Penashue blamed errors in filings to the elections overseer on “an inexperienced volunteer” in his campaign office, but did not comment on the political donations themselves.
“Although I was unaware of the inaccuracies in the return, I believe I must be accountable to the people who elected me and therefore I am stepping down as the member of Parliament for Labrador,” he said.
Penashue said he would seek re-election in a by-election.
Canada's first Innu minister resigns
