Barb Adams named Nova Scotia’s new justice minister
Days after Nova Scotia’s justice minister and attorney general resigned for comments that questioned the pervasiveness of domestic violence in the province, another cabinet minister has been tasked with taking on the role.
Premier Tim Houston announced Monday that Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Barb Adams is adding the roles of justice minister and attorney general to her duties.
“Barbara has been doing an excellent job as minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, bringing passion, empathy and determination to the role,” Houston said in a news release.
“I know that she will bring those same qualities to the Department of Justice as we work to improve the system and implement the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission.”
Controversial comments spark resignation
Adams was scheduled to be sworn in during a private ceremony on Monday, less than three days after Brad Johns resigned following his controversial comments.
Speaking on what was the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 22 Nova Scotians, Johns told reporters last week that he disagreed with the Mass Casualty Commission’s characterization of domestic violence as an epidemic. Johns said he thought drugs and gun violence are bigger issues.
An apology attributed to Johns was issued later in the day. He also made efforts to contact organizations supporting women and survivors of domestic violence to discuss the situation. By Friday evening, however, a news release from Houston said Johns was out of cabinet.
Johns says he ‘misspoke’
In an interview with The Canadian Press on Monday, Johns said he resigned as Nova Scotia’s justice minister because he had lost the public’s confidence when he made the comments.
Johns said he volunteered to step down Friday after several organizations that assist women told him about the damage his words had caused. He said he “misspoke” on Thursday, adding that domestic violence is a priority for the government and his former department.
He said he realized that the only way to demonstrate the government’s commitment to the issue was to resign as justice minister.
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