A women’s shelter in Halifax has raised concerns about a song with “violent” and misogynistic lyrics recorded over a decade ago by Energy Minister Marco MacLeod. The shelter, Adsum House, expressed disgust over the lyrics, which include derogatory terms towards women. Adsum House emphasized that MacLeod was not a young individual when the songs were produced, as he was in his twenties at the time of recording and in his thirties when they were made available on streaming platforms.
Adsum House criticized the songs for promoting harmful beliefs and stated that regardless of age, such content should disqualify someone from holding public office. MacLeod, who was elected in 2024 and later re-elected, acknowledged the song’s existence and expressed regret for its language, attributing it to pop culture references of the time.
The shelter highlighted the findings of the Mass Casualty Commission, stating that gender-based violence is a significant issue. Adsum House called for accountability from MacLeod, stressing that he was an adult when he created and shared the explicit songs.
In response, MacLeod issued a public apology, taking full responsibility for the offensive lyrics and pledging to work towards combating misogyny. He noted that the music has been removed and invited open discussions with those affected. The Progressive Conservative Party, to which MacLeod belongs, expressed regret over the songs’ content and emphasized their commitment to addressing gender-based violence.
The Premier’s office was contacted for comment but directed inquiries to the party caucus office. The party acknowledged the seriousness of the Mass Casualty Commission’s findings and clarified that the lyrics were not based on MacLeod’s personal experiences and did not generate any profits.
MacLeod reiterated his apology in a statement posted on social media, expressing remorse for any harm caused by the lyrics and reaffirming his dedication to fostering positive change.