18 Facts About Percy Paris

Percy Alonzo Paris is a former Canadian politician from Nova Scotia.

Percy Paris represented the constituency of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party from 2006 to 2013.

Percy Paris was a small business owner, having owned and operated a bar in Lower Sackville, as well as the Jet Journal, a local publication.

Percy Paris worked as a municipal employee for the City of Halifax and as a hockey scout with the International Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Percy Paris worked for Dalhousie University as director of the Diversity Initiative, Black Student Advisor and an instructor in Black History.

Percy 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.

Percy 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 Alumni Association, Team Work Co-operative, Halifax Black Community Workshop, Dartmouth East Black Learning Centre and the Metro Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

In 2006, Percy Paris successfully ran for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party nomination in the riding of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.

Percy Paris was elected in the 2006 provincial election, defeating the incumbent Progressive Conservative Gary Hines with 46.39 per cent of the vote.

Percy Paris was re-elected in the 2009 provincial election with 54.47 per cent of the vote.

On June 19,2009, Percy Paris was appointed to the 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.

On May 9,2013, Percy Paris resigned from cabinet following an incident at the House of Assembly earlier in the day.

Percy 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.

Percy Paris's lawyer appeared in court on June 18,2013, on his behalf where the case was adjourned to July 4,2013.

Percy 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 Percy Paris enter the adult diversion program.

Percy Paris completed the adult diversion program and it was announced on October 24,2013, that the charges were being dropped.

Percy Paris was not re-elected in the 2013 provincial election, placing third behind candidates for the Progressive Conservative Party and the winning Liberal Party.