Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo has taken a leave of absence from the legislative assembly to attend treatment after being charged with impaired driving.

Nerysoo announced on social media on April 9 that he was taking a leave of absence, but the post is only available to people accepted as his friends. The CBC reported that court records reveal that Nerysoo was charged with impaired driving on March 16.

"I am travelling to Victoria this morning to attend a nine-week program," Nerysoo wrote on April 9. "I have always thought I could beat the addiction problem on my own, but the addiction is too powerful. I realized I need professional help.

"I am doing this for my own well-being, so that I can be a better person to myself, the community and the region. I cannot walk down the same road giving false indications that everything is good with me. I am hurting inside and I have to find out why."

Nerysoo added that he had struggled balancing his role as an MLA with his addiction issues.

A spokesperson for the legislative assembly said Nerysoo is presumed innocent until a court concludes otherwise and noted that the legislature had been advised of Nerysoo's absence.

"The legislative assembly does not routinely investigate a member鈥檚 personal reasons for absence," said legislative assembly communications manager Jennifer Lennie. "However, if a member is absent for more than six committee days in a calendar year without a valid explanation, that committee is expected to seek the member鈥檚 removal from the committee to ensure the committee can carry out its work. Mr. Nerysoo has provided an explanation for his upcoming absences.

"If he is convicted, the assembly may be required to act, but identifying any such steps now would be speculation."

She added that an MLA can be forgiven for missing committee meetings for various other reasons: the execution of another duty as MLA; injury, illness or bereavement; an absence due to circumstances out of a member's control; or personal reasons.

Lennie added Nerysoo's seat will only become vacant if he chooses to resign, becomes ineligible to sit as an MLA or if the legislative assembly decides to remove him.

Nerysoo was elected in November of 2023 after defeating then-Speaker of the House Frederick Blake Jr.

The last time a sitting MLA left the legislative assembly under controversy was when Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Steve Norn resigned in 2021 to avoid being expelled by the assembly. He was accused of public health charges after being accused of violating a Covid-19 isolation protocol. He was later fined $1,380.

Prior to that, Dehcho MLA Michael Nadli was suspended in 2014 after being sentenced to 45 days in jail after being found guilty of assault causing bodily harm. He was released after eight days and was re-elected in 2015.

In 2005, North Slave MLA Henry Zoe resigned his seat after being convicted of resisting arrest.