# Percy Paris > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Percy_Paris > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Percy_Paris.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Paris > Source revision: 1350114347 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{for|the New Zealand Methodist minister|Percy Paris (minister)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=September 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [The Honorable](/source/The_Honorable) | honorific_suffix = [ECNS](/source/Executive_Council_of_Nova_Scotia) | name = Percy Paris | image = Percy Paris MLA.jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|65|2013|7|4}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/halifax/|title=Saltwire | Halifax|website=www.saltwire.com}} | birth_place = [Windsor, Nova Scotia](/source/Windsor%2C_Nova_Scotia), Canada | constituency_AM = [Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank](/source/Waverley-Fall_River-Beaver_Bank) | assembly = Nova Scotia House of | term_start = June 13, 2006 | term_end = October 8, 2013 | predecessor = [Gary Hines](/source/Gary_Hines_(politician)) | successor = [Bill Horne](/source/Bill_Horne) | party = [NDP](/source/Nova_Scotia_New_Democratic_Party) | office2 = [Minister of Economic and Rural Development](/source/Executive_Council_of_Nova_Scotia) | term_start2 = June 19, 2009 | term_end2 = May 9, 2013 | predecessor2 = [Angus MacIsaac](/source/Angus_MacIsaac) | successor2 = [Graham Steele](/source/Graham_Steele) | office3 = [Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Heritage](/source/Executive_Council_of_Nova_Scotia) | term_start3 = June 19, 2009 | term_end3 = May 9, 2013 | predecessor3 = [Bill Dooks](/source/Bill_Dooks) | successor3 = [Graham Steele](/source/Graham_Steele) | office4 = [Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs](/source/Executive_Council_of_Nova_Scotia) | term_start4 = June 19, 2009 | term_end4 = May 9, 2013 | predecessor4 = [Barry Barnet](/source/Barry_Barnet) | successor4 = [Maureen MacDonald](/source/Maureen_MacDonald){{Cite web|url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20130510001|title=Premier Announces Cabinet Changes|first=Communications Nova|last=Scotia|date=11 May 2018|website=News Releases}} | occupation = small business owner, university administrator }} '''Percy Alonzo Paris''' is a former Canadian politician from [Nova Scotia](/source/Nova_Scotia). He represented the constituency of [Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank](/source/Waverley-Fall_River-Beaver_Bank) in the [Nova Scotia House of Assembly](/source/Nova_Scotia_House_of_Assembly) for the [Nova Scotia New Democratic Party](/source/Nova_Scotia_New_Democratic_Party) from 2006 to 2013. A native of [Windsor](/source/Windsor%2C_Nova_Scotia), Paris has worked in a variety of jobs. He was a small business owner, having owned and operated a bar in [Lower Sackville](/source/Lower_Sackville%2C_Nova_Scotia), as well as the ''Jet Journal'', a local publication. Paris also worked as a municipal employee for the [City of Halifax](/source/City_of_Halifax) and as a hockey scout with the [International Hockey League](/source/International_Hockey_League_(1945-2001)) and the [Quebec Major Junior Hockey League](/source/Quebec_Major_Junior_Hockey_League). Paris worked for [Dalhousie University](/source/Dalhousie_University) as director of the Diversity Initiative, Black Student Advisor and an instructor in [Black History](/source/African-American_history). He was involved with the Transition Year Program. Paris has been an active community volunteer and received a human rights award from the Human Rights Commission of Nova Scotia for his work bringing communities together through sport. Paris has held positions on a number of boards of directors including the Riverlake Residents' Association, the Black Business Initiative, National Access Awareness Week, Network for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, the [King's-Edgehill School](/source/King's-Edgehill_School) Alumni Association, Team Work Co-operative, Halifax Black Community Workshop, Dartmouth East Black Learning Centre and the Metro Committee for Persons with Disabilities. ==Political career== In 2006, Paris successfully ran for the [Nova Scotia New Democratic Party](/source/Nova_Scotia_New_Democratic_Party) nomination in the riding of [Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank](/source/Waverley-Fall_River-Beaver_Bank). He was elected in the [2006 provincial election](/source/2006_Nova_Scotia_general_election), defeating the incumbent [Progressive Conservative](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Association_of_Nova_Scotia) Gary Hines with 46.39 per cent of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/dist51_0.pdf|title=Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 2006 (Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank)|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|year=2006|accessdate=October 15, 2014}} Paris was re-elected in the [2009 provincial election](/source/2009_Nova_Scotia_general_election) with 54.47 per cent of the vote.CBC.ca, Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank, 2009 results [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nsvotes2009/ridings/051/] Retrieved on June 11, 2009 During this period Paris was the only African-Nova Scotian elected to the provincial legislature. While serving as a member of the official opposition from 2006 to 2009, Paris was the NDP's [critic](/source/shadow_cabinet) for Education and Early Childhood Development, as well as African Nova Scotian Affairs. On June 19, 2009, Paris was appointed to the [Executive Council of Nova Scotia](/source/Executive_Council_of_Nova_Scotia) where he served as Minister of Economic and Rural Development, as well as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, and as Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs.''Premier Dexter Unveils 12-member Cabinet'', Government of Nova Scotia website, [http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20090619005] Retrieved June 19, 2009 On May 9, 2013, Paris resigned from cabinet following an incident at the House of Assembly earlier in the day.[https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20130509008 "Premier accepts Percy Paris's resignation from Cabinet"]. Government of Nova Scotia, May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-cabinet-minister-resigns-after-bathroom-fight-1.1344073|title=N.S. cabinet minister resigns after bathroom fight|publisher=CBC News|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate=May 11, 2018}} Paris revealed that he "lost his composure" in the hallway outside the legislature chamber involving a fellow member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Later that same day, a spokesman for [Halifax Regional Police](/source/Halifax_Regional_Police) confirmed they were investigating an alleged assault at the legislature building, issuing a statement saying that they had charged a 65-year-old man from [Windsor Junction](/source/Windsor_Junction%2C_Nova_Scotia) with uttering threats and assault after receiving a complaint.{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/nova-scotia-cabinet-minister-resigns-after-police-called-to-investigate-alleged-assault-at-legislature|title=Nova Scotia cabinet minister resigns after police called to investigate alleged assault at legislature|work=National Post|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=October 25, 2023}} On May 10, 2013, [Liberal](/source/Nova_Scotia_Liberal_Party) member of the Nova Scotia legislature [Keith Colwell](/source/Keith_Colwell) stated "Yesterday in the House of Assembly, I was assaulted and threatened by the Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism", adding that he did not know what prompted the attack. According to Paris, the pair had a "heated exchange" near the doorway of a washroom for members of the legislative assembly, admitting that he momentarily lost his temper and stating "I regret I lost my cool for a few seconds". Colwell has been a member of the legislature since 1993. Paris's lawyer appeared in court on June 18, 2013, on his behalf where the case was adjourned to July 4, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-05-10/article-3243147/UPDATE:-Paris-to-appear-in-court-June-18/1|title=Paris to appear in court June 18|work=Cape Breton Post|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055454/http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-05-10/article-3243147/UPDATE:-Paris-to-appear-in-court-June-18/1|archivedate=October 23, 2013}} Paris's lawyer appeared in court July 4, 2013, on his behalf and stated that he was accepting responsibility for a minor assault and making threats against Colwell, and by doing so, could end up with no criminal record. The Crown prosecutor recommended that Paris enter the adult diversion program.{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=David|title=Paris to accept responsibility in legislature assault|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1139761-paris-to-accept-responsibility-in-legislature-assault|accessdate=24 January 2024|newspaper=The Chronicle-Herald|date=4 July 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807122935/http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1139761-paris-to-accept-responsibility-in-legislature-assault|archivedate=August 7, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=N.S. MLA Percy Paris' assault case sent to adult diversion program|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/691928/assault-case-against-former-nova-scotia-cabinet-minister-returns-to-court/|accessdate=24 October 2013|newspaper=Global News|date=4 July 2013}} Paris completed the adult diversion program and it was announced on October 24, 2013, that the charges were being dropped.{{cite news|title=Percy Paris assault charges dismissed|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/percy-paris-assault-charges-dismissed-1.2223713|accessdate=24 October 2013|newspaper=CBC|date=24 October 2013}} Paris was not re-elected in the [2013 provincial election](/source/2013_Nova_Scotia_general_election), placing third behind candidates for the Progressive Conservative Party and the winning Liberal Party.{{cite news |url=http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/818290/nova-scotia-votes-riding-by-riding-results-for-halifax-region/ |title=Nova Scotia votes: Riding-by-riding results for Halifax region |date=October 8, 2013 |publisher=[Metro](/source/Metro_International) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228045416/http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/818290/nova-scotia-votes-riding-by-riding-results-for-halifax-region/ |archive-date=February 28, 2014}} ==References== {{reflist}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20050510021039/http://www.bbi.ca/documents/B2B24.pdf Black Business Initiative Newsletter] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071027044639/http://www.ndpcaucus.ns.ca/profiles.asp?ID=15 NDP Caucus Website Bio] {{Dexter Ministry}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Paris, Percy}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:21st-century members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly Category:Black Canadian businesspeople Category:Black Canadian politicians Category:Black Nova Scotians Category:Members of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia Category:Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLAs Category:People from Windsor, Nova Scotia --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Percy Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Paris) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Paris?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.