Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister – Halifax [Video]

Several Nova Scotia organizations that assist women spoke out Friday against comments on domestic violence made by the province’s justice minister, and one called for his departure.

Natasha Hines, executive director of Wellness Within, which deals with the reproductive health of women, transgender and nonbinary people, called comments by Brad Johns “ignorant and dangerous,” and she said in an interview that he should either resign or be fired.

On Thursday, Johns disputed a public inquiry’s finding that domestic violence is an epidemic and said drugs and gun violence are more serious problems. An epidemic of domestic violence would mean “you are seeing it everywhere all the time, and I don’t think that’s the case,” he said. He later apologized after being corrected by Premier Tim Houston.

Hines said it was “shocking” to hear the minister downplaying the severity of domestic violence. “I really don’t think there’s a way forward without …