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NDP MP Romeo Saganash
Credits: PHILIPPE DOHERTY
OTTAWA - The NDP's Romeo Saganash will head back to work Monday following a leave of absence to deal with a "dependence on alcohol."
Beginning in late October, the Cree MP took time off after he was removed from an Air Canada Jazz flight when was deemed too drunk to fly.
Saganash said his "behaviour caused an unfortunate incident" that delayed the flight from Montreal to Val-d'Or, QC.
"I need help to overcome a medical problem, a dependence on alcohol," Saganash said in a statement after the incident. "I have asked my leader to give me leave so I can take the necessary time to treat this illness."
Saganash, who dropped out of the NDP leadership race last year due to a family illness, said his experience in residential schools left a "profound scar" on him.
In 2002, Liberal MP John McCallum was unable to board an Air Canada flight due to drunkenness.
