Gideonie Joamie resigns from Iqaluit city council

Gideonie Joamie confirmed to CBC Thursday morning that he's formally resigned from Iqaluit city council.

Joamie sent a letter of resignation to the cityWednesday.

Joamie would not say why he resigned.

Mayor Madeleine Redfern was "surprised and disappointed" when she heard the news, she said in a statement, but will "respect that the choice is his to make."

Joamie was elected to council in October of 2015.

"Councillor Joamie made valuable contributions to council debates and decisions inhis short term," Redfern said.

In her statement, Redfern noted that Joamie "was an avid promoter of privatizing public works and reducing staff positions as a way for the city to save money and tackle our deficit."

That was something he'd promised in his campaign last fall.

The city, Redfern said, remains committed to getting itself on a sound footing.

"I wish all the best to Gideonie Joamie."

Several othercouncillorstold CBC they weren't aware of the resignation.