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Marco MacLeod, Energy Minister

Energy Minister resigns cabinet seat over harmful rap songs

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Nova Scotia’s Energy Minister has resigned from cabinet over some rap songs that contained lyrics harmful to women.

It was last month when news broke that Marco MacLeod still had the music on streaming platforms.

The Adsum house for women was one group who spoke up about how the lyrics were harmful.

They say they were misogynistic and raised serious concerns about how he could be accountable in public office.

MacLeod removed the songs from streaming platforms and apologized.

But late Wednesday night, Premier Tim Houston accepted his resignation, according to a news release.

“Marco has expressed to me his regret for publishing those songs. Ultimately, he feels his actions have become a distraction from the work of our government, and he wants to spend more time focusing on learning and growing. I thank Marco for the work he has given to the Province in his role as minister of Energy,” Houston wrote.

Houston will also take over the energy file once again. It was only in May when Houston passed the role of minister to MacLeod.

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‘Terribly sorry’: Energy minister apologizes for harmful lyrics to women

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The minister of energy said he kept the PC caucus in the dark about music he had streaming with lyrics that are harmful to women, claiming ownership of what he calls a “huge mistake.”

Marco MacLeod made the comments, Thursday after a cabinet meeting, where he said he can’t apologize enough.

“I’m very sorry for the hurt and harm that I’ve caused,” said MacLeod.

His songs went online in 2013 and were reuploaded in 2023. The province declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in 2024.

The songs gained recent attention and scrutiny from Adsum House, a safe place for women and children.

The organization called out the minister saying the lyrics were misogynistic with content that raised serious concerns about accountability in public office.

MacLeod said the organization does really good work and that he’s read their statement several times.

“I know the words that I used, they’re really disrespectful to women and go against the work that groups like Adsum do,” explained MacLeod.

He said he’s “terribly sorry” and has a lot of work to do to rebuild trust.

“Reflection on how and why I was wrong,” explained MacLeod. “I’ve caused a lot of damage.”

It is unclear at this time whether or not MacLeod will resign from his role.

Marco MacLeod, Energy Minister

New N.S. energy minister to focus on jobs

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Nova Scotia’s new energy minister said one of his first priorities is to modernize the power grid and create more jobs in the sector.

In a cabinet shuffle, Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston handed the role over to Marco MacLeod after seven months of having the portfolio, himself.

Speaking to reporters, MacLeod said he wants to avoid having people feel they need to move somewhere else to get employment.

“My job is to make sure future generations don’t have to go to western Canada for work,” said MacLeod. “That they can work here at home.”

MacLeod worked as the assistant to Trevor Boudreau when he held the energy minister role, before he worked alongside Houston, making it what he called an “easy transition”.

“I learned that we gotta pursue the opportunities that we have,” said MacLeod. “It’s not ok to sit in an office all day. We actually gotta get out there.”

Opposition agrees with upgrades to grid, pushes for Nova Scotia Power review

The interim leader of the Liberals has already reached out to MacLeod, to build a “more affordable reliable energy future”.

In a letter, Iain Rankin agreed the grid needs to be modernized but also pushes for an independent review of Nova Scotia Power and to keep rates stable.

“Our province has enormous potential when it comes to energy, but we need a system that people can afford and depend on,” reads the letter. “Nova Scotians are counting on strong leadership on this file, and I hope we can make progress on those priorities.”