Death threats against Energy Minister Andrew Younger investigated

CBC News has obtained copies of death threats made against Nova Scotia Energy Minister Andrew Younger in November.

The threats are contained in a two-page letter, typed entirely in capital letters. It was received by the Department of Energy in early November and obtained Monday by CBC News.

Younger is currently on a leave from his job as the energy minister while police investigate threats against him.

The author of the letter is enraged about a decision Younger has made.

"You have banned a way to make jobs. To give me a job," the author writes.

"I am tired of Cons and Liberals and NDP commies telling me what I can do on my land. Its [sic] time for people to rise up against fascists like you."

The author tells Younger he knows where he lives, works and spends his time when he's not in the office.  

"You have made sure I have no job and I have time to wait for you," the letter states.

The letter directly threatens Younger's life. It ends with the warning, "Your time is done."

Temporary leave

There is a third page, received at Younger's office the same day. It contains a crudely-drawn message: "DIE FUCKER."

The rant arrived as Bill 6 — an amendment to the Petroleum Resources Act — was making its way through the Nova Scotia legislature. It prohibits high-volume hydraulic fracturing for onshore oil and gas and includes an exemption that allows for fracking for testing and research purposes.

Premier Stephen McNeil's office announced in December that Younger would take a temporary leave from cabinet, but wouldn't say what prompted the move. His pay has since been suspended and his leave expanded.

It's now clear the threatening letter was only one distraction for Younger in recent months.

A former Liberal staffer, Tara Gault, is charged with assaulting the MLA in October 2013. She's scheduled to appear in provincial court on Jan. 28.

Gault is ordered to stay away from Younger, his wife Katia and former constituency assistant Sarah Douglas, who worked on his election campaign in 2013.

The alleged assault was not reported to police at the time, but came to light during the investigation into the threats against Younger.