Former N.S. justice minister says he broke the trust of the community that deals with domestic violence
Former Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns says comments he made about domestic violence broke trust with community agencies that he and the government work with and left him no choice but to step down as minister.
"As soon as I made my comments, I regretted what I said, and I unintentionally downplayed domestic violence,” said Johns in an interview with CTV News on Monday.
“Government and the groups that we work with need to have confidence in their government officials and I recognized once I hurt that confidence and trust I needed to step back,” said Johns.
On Friday night, Premier Tim Houston accepted Johns’ resignation as justice minister and emphasized that domestic violence is an issue their government takes very seriously.
“We will continue to work with partner organizations to do everything we can to support the important work being done in response to the Mass Casualty Commission’s final report and in response to the ongoing epidemic of domestic violence across Nova Scotia and in Canada,” said Houston in a statement.
Johns says it was his decision alone to step down and he wasn’t forced by Houston to resign.
“As soon as I recognized that I hurt the confidence and trust of the groups that deal with domestic violence I knew I had to step back,” said Johns. “I often say 'talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words' and I hope by stepping back that people recognize that I am sorry and it opens the door for a new minister to come in a build back that trust and confidence.”
Last week, during a cabinet meeting which fell on the fourth anniversary on the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, Johns was asked about what his department was doing to address domestic violence.
Johns said he misspoke when he downplayed the severity of domestic violence and it was something he immediately regretted saying.
In remarks to reporters, Johns said that he didn’t think domestic violence was at an “epidemic” level in the province, which counters what the report by the Mass Casualty Commission concluded.
“No, I don’t because I think that an epidemic, you’re seeing it everywhere all the time,” said Johns. “I don’t think that’s the case.”
Johns went on to say he thought domestic violence was an issue but said he thought "there are bigger issues too.”
“We have issues around guns drugs, we have issues around drugs,” said Johns. “There’s a lot of issues...violence in general.”
Calls for Johns to resign came swiftly from opposition party leaders including Liberal Leader Zach Churchill and NDP leader Claudia Chender and from several community organizations across the province who deal with and assist those impacted by domestic violence.
Johns says following the comments he made during the press conference he reached out to nearly 40 organizations to offer his personal apology and that domestic violence was an important issue to the government.
“Once I recognized the confidence in me had been broken I knew I had to step back,” said Johns. “Once again, I apologize to anybody who my comments may have hurt, that certainly wasn’t my intention.”
On Monday, Houston announced that Barbara Adams would be replacing Johns as minister of justice and attorney general and she would also maintain her portfolio as minister of seniors and long-term care.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.