Barb Adams appointed Nova Scotia’s new Minister of Justice

Days after Nova Scotia’s justice minister and attorney general resigned over comments questioning the pervasiveness of domestic violence in the province, another minister has been charged with taking on the role.

Prime Minister Tim Houston announced Monday that Barb Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, will add the roles of Minister of Justice and Attorney General to her duties.

“Barbara has done an outstanding job as Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, bringing passion, empathy and determination to her role,” Houston said in a news release.

“I know 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 lead to 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 left 22 Nova Scotians dead, 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 were bigger problems.

An apology attributed to Johns was issued later in the day. He also made efforts to contact organizations that support women and survivors of domestic violence to discuss the situation. However, on Friday evening, a press release from Houston stated that Johns was out of the cabinet.

Johns says he ‘made a mistake’

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 trust when he made those comments.

Johns said he voluntarily resigned Friday after several organizations that help women told him about the damage his words had caused. He said on Thursday he had “made a mistake” and added that domestic violence is a priority for the government and his former department.

He said he realized that the only way to show the government’s commitment to this issue was to resign as justice minister.

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