N.S. justice minister resigns a day after saying he didn't believe domestic violence was an epidemic

CBC News

· Posted: Apr 19, 2024 6:38 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns has resigned from cabinet.

Premier Tim Houston made the announcement in a news release sent Friday evening.

The resignation comes a day after Johns's comments on domestic violence in Nova Scotia.

The minister said he doesn't believe it's an epidemic — a position that's contrary to the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commissions's final report.

Thursday and Friday marked the four-year anniversary of the Nova Scotia mass shooting, a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 22 people. The rampage began with the shooter assaulting his common-law wife.

Johns apologized for his comment on Thursday afternoon, and subsequently contacted several women's shelters across the province to personally apologize. 

Houston said domestic violence is an issue his government "takes very seriously."

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