An organization that advocates for constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians is urging the premier and Department of Natural Resources to take back the woods ban.
The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) wrote a letter to Tim Houston and Minister Tory Rushton, Wednesday, saying they are concerned about the province-wide ban on things like hiking and fishing -activities that they say pose no serious risk of starting fires.
Nova Scotia implemented a $25,000 fine, Tuesday, for unnecessary activity in the woods amid extremely dry conditions.
In a statement, the foundation says this move by the province is “draconian” and calls on Nova Scotia to let residents safely enjoy the forests for the rest of the summer.
“When safety becomes a weapon, everyone loses,” said CCF Litigation Director Christine Van Geyn. “Nova Scotia’s forest ban is overkill and it’s deja vu. It’s happening now because the government got away with it last time. This is a classic example of safetyism: a mentality where risk becomes an excuse for control, not communication. Once the government sees that overreach is workable, it’s replayed every few years.”
DNR stands by the decision
The Department of Natural Resources not backing down from their decision to implement the woods ban.
Scott Tingley, Manager of Forest Protection tells us, they understand the frustration, but the ban is about risk mitigation.
“The activity they may want to do, may not be what sparks a fire. They may smoke. They may put out a cigarette incorrectly, while they’re hiking. They may park their vehicle in some tall, dry grass. Just something like that could spark a fire,” says Tingley.
“If we have people in the woods. We will have fires. That’s just how it works. So, this is meant to reduce the number of people in the area, during this risk period.”
How dry is it?
So far, this wildfire season, there have been over 100 fires that have burned over 68 hectares across the province.
A burn ban has been in effect since July 30 that also has a $25,000 fine, and seven of those have been issued, but none so far for the woods ban.
Tingley says dry conditions are not expected to get better any time soon.
“In addition to the precipitation deficit we are already starting with, we’re still looking at another week to 10 days with no rain. We’re entering a period now where we’re probably seeing some of the driest, most severe forest conditions we’ve seen in a long time,” says Tingley.
Legal action
CCF have a petition circulating for the government to rescind the ban, and if they do not do so immediately, the foundation says they may take legal action.
DNR tells us the measures they have put in place are authorized under the Forests Act.
“Given how dry conditions are, there is potential for a wildfire to become so out of control that it cannot be managed without significant rainfall – no matter how many human and equipment resources we have. We do not want to be in that position. There is no significant rain in the near-term forecast, so prevention is the best medicine.”
