Brad Johns said domestic violence wasn't an epidemic. The response was overwhelming

Dozens of emails expressing outrage, disgust and disappointment poured into the inboxes of Nova Scotia's premier and justice minister after Brad Johns said he didn't consider domestic violence an epidemic, and he now says that reaction influenced his resignation from cabinet. 

Records released under freedom of information legislation provide a glimpse into how the public responded when Johns made the comments during a news conference on April 18, the fourth anniversary of a shooting rampage that claimed the lives of 22 Nova Scotians. 

Premier Tim Houston immediately said he disagreed and Johns issued an apology later that day. The following night Houston announced in a statement that Johns was stepping down as justice minister. 

The initial comments and Johns's apology elicited responses from people who identified as survivors of intimate partner violence as well as some who said they were PC Party supporters and critical of Johns's actions. Only two out of about 40 emails were supportive. 

"I am struggling to understand how the person responsible for the department meant to hold perpetrators accountable and protect victims of violence felt it was appropriate to dismiss the harsh reality for so many Nova Scotians, and Canadians," wrote one person who identified as a victim "navigating the justice system." 

"You obviously went off-script and voiced your personal beliefs," another person wrote to Johns. "You have been in politics far too long to have had such a novice lack of judgment."

People's reactions, and the conversations he had with organizations focused on preventing gender-based violence, impacted his decision to resign, Johns told CBC News. 

"I know that it upset and hurt people. I called and I apologized. When it became apparent that not everybody was willing to accept or believe the apology, I felt it was important to step back," Johns said in an interview. 

"I certainly by no means meant to downplay the impact socially of domestic violence and the importance of putting resources and time and commitment towards that." 

Reflecting three months after his comments, Johns said he had taken issue with the term "epidemic" and now realizes he shouldn't have tried "to split the hairs on the definition of it."

"I didn't really like the wording of using the word epidemic," he told CBC. "What I probably should have recognized and just said was that that's how the Mass Casualty Commission defines it. So that's the definition." 

The emails released to CBC show some people called for his resignation, while others implored the premier to fire Johns. 

"Please handle this situation as a business leader would," wrote a woman who told Houston she had admired his leadership.

She went on to say it was "incredibly hurtful … to see the blatant disregard by a man [Johns] who is employed by the taxes I, and others, pay. His position is a gift to him, and a great responsibility, and he has squandered it."