Nova Scotia justice minister resigns following domestic violence comments
CTV
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns has resigned, according to a short statement from Premier Tim Houston on Friday evening.
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns has resigned, according to a short statement from Premier Tim Houston on Friday evening.
“I accepted the resignation of Brad Johns as a minister in my cabinet,” read the statement.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Nova Scotia mass shooting, Johns told reporters he didn’t believe domestic violence was an “epidemic.”
“No, I don’t because I think epidemic…you’re seeing it everywhere all the time,” Johns said. “I don’t think that’s the case. Personally I think this was an issue and is an issue.”
When pressed, he said he believed there were other issues causing more problems in society such as drugs and guns.
The remarks prompted immediate backlash online and from other political leaders, who demanded Johns resign as minister. The premier tried to corral the issue, re-joining the Zoom call, and assuring reporters his government considered domestic violence an epidemic.
Johns formally apologized a few hours later, but the outrage over the remarks continued in some circles Friday.
