HALIFAX — Advocates against gender-based violence in Nova Scotia are calling on the Progressive Conservative government to reconsider Marco MacLeod’s role as energy minister due to misogynistic rap lyrics he wrote. MacLeod apologized Thursday for the rap song that he says was first posted online 13 years ago and circulated recently. A group of eight advocates from community groups and survivors of gender-based violence signed a letter saying MacLeod’s lyrics normalize degradation of women. “Lyrics attributed to minister MacLeod objectify women’s bodies, glorify drug use, and describe women in degrading and dehumanizing terms,” reads the letter sent to Premier Tim Houston on Monday. The letter calls for a public review of standards applied to cabinet appointments and gender-based violence training for all members of cabinet and the Progressive Conservative caucus. Cynthia Pilichos, an advocate who signed the letter and works with Anglicans Powering Potential in Halifax, said gender-based violence remains one of the most persistent and pervasive human rights violations. “It would be enormously helpful to have men of influence and those in titled leadership roles come on board and make a serious effort” to combat gender-based violence, Pilichos said in an email Monday. Nova Scotia officially declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in September 2024. A track performed by MacLeod more than a decade ago called “George Jones” and released under the artist name Meadowville gained widespread attention earlier this month. The song, first reported by Frank Magazine and since taken down from music platforms, contains misogynistic terms for women, references to cocaine use, and a series of expletives and sexual innuendoes. Adsum House, a Halifax shelter that supports women, families and gender-diverse people, called for MacLeod’s resignation earlier this month. The organization said on Aug. 14 it was “sickened” by the “violent and misogynistic” music, and noted in a statement that MacLeod, who is 37, was well into adulthood when he recorded the song. “Regardless of age, holding these beliefs and disseminating this type of content should disqualify an individual from public office,” said Adsum House, which is not a signatory of Monday’s letter. MacLeod apologized after a cabinet meeting on Thursday. “I’m so sorry to everyone who’s been hurt … Now the work’s on me and an apology is only so good. I (have) to show it through my actions, especially at home in my constituency, but also here in Halifax and wherever I go,” MacLeod said last week. Jordan Croucher, a spokesperson with the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative caucus, said MacLeod “has been clear that he is sorry for the language he used, that the lyrics do not show women the respect they deserve, and that they do not reflect the standards he holds himself to today.” Monday’s letter from the group of advocates said they heard MacLeod’s apology Thursday and learned that he had not yet reached out to Adsum House at that point. “This is not a sign that he fully understands and comprehends the severity of his conduct in the larger spectrum of gender-based violence in this province,” reads the letter. Croucher said in an email MacLeod met with the Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre on Monday morning, and the centre suggested other groups the minister should connect with, and MacLeod plans to set up meetings with those organizations as well. MacLeod also reached out to Adsum House on Monday afternoon, Croucher said. Croucher did not immediately answer questions about why the song appears to have been posted in 2023 or if MacLeod or the Progressive Conservative caucus members will commit to gender-based violence training. Nova Scotia’s NDP leader said Monday the party is hearing from a growing number of individuals and organizations who are concerned about the misogynistic language used by MacLeod in the song. “The lack of meaningful response from the Houston government is raising real concerns about the PCs attitude towards combatting misogyny and gender-based violence,” Claudia Chender said in an emailed statement. “This government has a terrible track record of failing to take action to address issues that disproportionately affect women. People deserve to see a real response and action to address these issues from Tim Houston,” she added. By Lyndsay Armstrong This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2026.
