The Inuit government in Labrador is sending the wrong message about alcohol abuse, a member of the Nunatsiavut legislature said.

Members of the Nunatsiavut assembly voted Wednesday to allow William Barbour to retain his seat as the community representative for Nain, even though Barbour had been stripped of his cabinet responsibilities earlier this fall.

'We have shown the world that our definition of zero tolerance can be compromised.'—Keith Russell

Barbour, the former natural resources minister, was kicked out of cabinet because others found that alcohol abuse was interfering with his work.

Keith Russell, who also sits in the assembly, said the the decision shows that the Inuit government is not yet ready to tackle the problem of alcohol.

"We're in denial," Russell said.

"When we're not prepared to deal with our own elected officials that have these problems, how can they expect us as a collective body to then come back and do what's right to make sure we develop programs and services that will eventually lead to helping people in need?"

Earlier this month, a disciplinary committee found that Barbour had violated the government's code of conduct, which says members aren't allowed to consume alcohol at work or be drunk on the job.

"We have shown the world that our definition of zero tolerance can be compromised," Russell said.

Nunatsiavut president Jim Lyall, who kicked Barbour out of cabinet two months ago, said things have since changed.

"He's made huge strides in tackling that problem and I think to remove him now would set him back to where he was before," he said.

"I think it would have been the wrong thing to do."

As to whether Barbour may eventually return to cabinet, Lyall told CBC News that he is open to the idea.