Nova Scotia’s latest wildfire rule has crossed a dangerous line regarding safety.
The province stated it will fine people up to $25,000 for simply hiking in the woods during the current fire ban, even on private land. Royal Canadian Air Force and Afghanistan veteran Jeff Evely learned the hard way after receiving a $28K fine.
Read more: Column: Blinded by the tint
This isn’t just tough enforcement. It’s an overreach of government power that risks turning public safety into public tyranny.
Wildfires are a real threat. They destroy homes, wildlife and forests. No one disagrees with the need to protect people and property. But punishing someone with a massive fine for taking a walk in the woods? That’s seems unfair and extreme.
This isn’t some one-off thing, either. Canadian governments keep grabbing more control through emergency powers and harsh laws that don’t match the actual threat level.
Remember when they used the Emergencies Act in 2022 against those protests?
Courts later said it wasn’t justified. They froze bank accounts and shut down basic freedoms over what turned out to be something that didn’t meet legal emergency standards.
Ottawa’s also pushing environmental rules that stomp all over provincial rights. Something Alberta is familiar with in regard to oil and gas.
Something closer to home is taking guns from law-abiding citizens to prevent gun crimes. A 2022 Statistics Canada survey shows a measly 13 per cent of guns used in homicides were registered.
The pattern seems to be clear. Governments keep setting strict rules and punishments that don’t line up with real risks or protecting rights.
When they hit regular people with crazy fines or restrictions that aren’t actually making anyone safer, it stops being about public welfare and starts looking like power trips.
Don’t get me wrong, protecting communities and nature matters, but there has to be limits.
For Western Canadians already side-eyeing federal overreach, Nova Scotia’s hiking fines sound familiar, like another warning bell pushing back.
Transparent and balanced decision-making, especially during emergencies, becomes crucial.
Bottom line is, citizens can’t afford to stay quiet. Speaking up against government overreach isn’t just our right, it’s basically our job these days.
Those in power work for us, not the other way around. Let’s not forget that.
When restrictions cross from safety measures into freedom-crushing territory, it’s not just trails getting closed off, it’s everyone’s liberty on the line. In my opinion, that’s something worth fighting for.
Read more: Column: Forced rehab is wrong/expensive
