Community Services Minister Kelly Regan will introduce legislation in September that will give domestic violence victims the right to take time off work.

Regan confirmed the plan, which the Liberals first mentioned during the spring election campaign, during an interview on Wednesday.

The details of the plan won't be released until the legislation is put forth.

The law would follow a recent contract agreement by employees at the Nova Scotia Elizabeth Fry Society that offered staff there a similar provision.

A similar proposal has been suggested in other provinces. The paid days off would give employees a chance to get psychological help, obtain support from victim services organizations, move away from their abuser, get medical attention, or seek out legal or law enforcement assistance.

Regan inherited the community services portfolio in June when Premier Stephen McNeil announced his new cabinet. She takes over from Joanne Bernard, who was defeated in the spring election.

Transformation plan continues

While the department may have a new minister, Regan said she would be continuing with Bernard's efforts to transform the department and its services, an effort focusing on reforming child welfare, income assistance and employment support programs, and services for people with disabilities.

"We have a good idea where we're going and we're going to continue with that," said Regan.

Another area where Regan will not differ from Bernard is on minimum wage. Bernard was firm during her time in office that simply raising the minimum wage wouldn't be enough to bring about the necessary change to fight poverty.

Kelly Regan was named community services minister in June. (CBC)

Regan, who during her time as labour minister oversaw minimum wage increases, said there are many ways to combat low incomes and minimum wage is just one of them.

The Liberal campaign platform touted a different route than the $15 per hour minimum wage proposed by the NDP, one that includes increases to the basic personal exemption, introducing a standard household rate for income assistance and the ability for people on income assistance to keep more money that they earn while working before being penalized.

All of this is happening at a time when the province is seeing increases in food bank use and alarming child poverty numbers.

Committed to change

Regan said making the changes the department needs is a balance of having solid plans and consultation in place before making those changes. Sometimes not everyone is happy with the changes, but Regan said the government will see it through.

"We are committed to making the lives of Nova Scotians better," she said.

"We will be doing this deliberately. We will not be rushing it, nor will we be delaying it. We want to make sure we do the right things at the right times to tackle this insidious problem [of poverty]."