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

While serving as a member of the official opposition from 2006 to 2009, Paris was the NDP's critic for Education and Early Childhood Development, as well as African Nova Scotian Affairs.

[6][7] 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.

[8] On May 10, 2013, Liberal member of the Nova Scotia legislature 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.

[9] 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.