HALIFAX – Andrew Younger, a key member of Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil’s cabinet, resigned Wednesday, three months after he took a leave of absence when a woman was charged with assaulting him.
Younger had been on temporary leave from his cabinet post since Dec. 23 after a woman was charged with assaulting him on or about Oct. 22, 2013, the day the Liberal government assumed power after the last provincial election.
Questions and rumors have swirled surrounding Younger’s reasoning to take time away. Speaking to the media for the first time since then, he said Wednesday the decision to step down from his cabinet post was made for his family.
“My family needs me to step back at the moment. I need to be there for my son and my wife because it’s been very difficult for them,” he said. “This is the best thing for us.”
Younger will continue to represent the riding of Dartmouth East as a member of the legislature and hopes to run in the next provincial election.
“I’ll certainly be here until the end of this term,” he said. “Sometimes you need to step back from things, and I didn’t know how I would feel after this happened. Part of me feels a bit relieved at the moment.”
The trial of the woman charged with assaulting Younger is scheduled to begin Nov. 4.
Tara Gault has pleaded not guilty to the assault charge in Halifax provincial court.
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Younger said he has been receiving serious threats, but did not confirm if they were connected to the case before the court.
“I’ve continued to receive letters that are of concern,” he said.
Halifax Regional Police said they have an ongoing threats investigation, but would not discuss specifics or identify the alleged victim.
Michel Samson was sworn in as energy minister, Communications Nova Scotia minister and the minister responsible for a section of the Gaming Control Act on Tuesday.
Samson also serves as minister of economic and rural development and tourism, and minister of Acadian affairs.
With files from The Canadian Press
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