Nova Scotia’s energy minister is facing calls to resign after a rap song he recorded more than a decade ago resurfaced online, drawing criticism from advocates who say its lyrics are misogynistic and degrading to women.
Marco MacLeod, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Pictou West, has come under fire over a track from a rap album he released in 2013. Advocates and members of the public have criticized lyrics in one song, titled Meadowville, which they say make derogatory references to women and include mentions of illegal drugs.
The controversy gained traction on social media in recent days, prompting criticism from gender-based violence advocates and organizations that support women and gender-diverse people.
Liz LeClair, a gender-based violence advocate, said the lyrics raise concerns about whether survivors would feel comfortable seeking support from a politician whose past work contained such content.
“If you’re somebody that’s suffering with intimate partner violence or some form of gender-based violence, and this is the person that represents you and you need to go to them for help, I’m not really sure how you can sit in front of this man and trust that he understands the systemic problems,” LeClair said.
Get breaking National news
The criticism comes even as some have defended MacLeod, noting the music was recorded and released more than 13 years ago.
MacLeod responded to the backlash with a handwritten statement posted on social media.
“I want to be very clear: I apologize for my words from 13 years ago,” he wrote. “I accept full responsibility for these lyrics and I am committed to doing everything I can as a community leader to bring about the change necessary to stop misogyny in all its forms.”
He added that he was sorry to anyone who felt “small, degraded or upset” because of the lyrics.
For some advocacy groups, however, the apology was insufficient.
In a statement, Adsum House for Women and Children said holding such views and distributing that type of content should disqualify someone from public office, regardless of when it was created.
The organization said MacLeod was an adult when the music was recorded and rejected what it described as attempts to excuse the lyrics as youthful behaviour.
- Frechette holds mid-campaign cabinet meeting ahead of counter-tariffs
- Week two of Quebec campaign dominated by debates on immigration, language
- Federal Tories launch ‘Conservatives for Canada’ campaign ahead of Alberta referendum
- Man charged with arson at Liberal MP’s Toronto home, 2nd suspect wanted
The Progressive Conservative Party defended its minister in a written statement, saying violence is never acceptable and noting that Nova Scotia has declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. The party said MacLeod and his colleagues take the issue seriously, as well as the findings of the Mass Casualty Commission.
LeClair said she believes MacLeod’s future in cabinet should depend on whether he demonstrates a deeper understanding of the harm caused by the lyrics.
“It’s up to his constituents whether or not they vote for him again, but I don’t think he deserves to have a cabinet position unless he’s done the work to do repair,” she said.
The controversy has sparked a broader debate online about accountability for public officials and whether past artistic work should affect a politician’s suitability for office years later.
-
![]()
Liberal MP Shaun Chen says he’s resigning over ‘significant health issues’ -
![]()
Conservative MP Larry Brock resigns, leaving another vacancy in Poilievre’s caucus -
![]()
Carney: ‘I don’t have confidence’ in FIFA president Infantino -
![]()
FIFA president Infantino losing support for re-election bid over World Cup sell-off plan -
![]()
Advocates speak out after rap song by Nova Scotia’s energy minister resurfaces
Nobody even heard this song until yesterday.
Since your political career is clsing, might as well not waste the spotlight and go back to rapping.
Pretty sure these lyrics are in at least 95% of rap music.
If he was Black, the same critics would be praising him as a champion of diversity and social justice.
Are they new to rap music? The entire genre is toxic to woman. Rap music without misogyny is like country music without the fake accent.
Dude is too white to be rappin about guns, gangs, drugs and ho’s.
Just another lunacy group that digs deep into the past of someone looking for a reason to dismantle their lives. Enough of this gender based craziness and let’s get on with being a two sex community again. The rest need to seek psychiatric support.
How does one join a group that consists of “gender-based violence advocates and organizations that support women and gender-diverse people”.? Does a person have to prove that they’re progressive enough to qualify, or that they have a masters degree in virtue signaling?
Get a life if everyone was judged on their past no one would be in politics including you, LeClair .
What did they have to say about Trudeau and his Blackface Banana Act ?
Or were they strangely silent ?
Ignore these f *ucking ret ards.
Damn people have gotten so weak!
Just sounds like the typical whining of emotionally challenged activists