Atlantic premiers change forest ban reasoning for third time

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has shifted his explanation for the province’s controversial forest entry ban for the third time in just over a week.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has shifted his explanation for the province’s controversial forest entry ban for the third time in just over a week, prompting fresh criticism that his government is scrambling to justify the draconian measure that civil liberties groups warn violates Canadians’ charter rights.

The August 6 announcement initially cast the sweeping prohibition, which bars Nova Scotians from entering any forested area, including on private land, with fines up to $25,000.

Houston framed the move as necessary to “stay out of the woods” and avoid sparking blazes that could stretch firefighting resources.

Days later, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt contradicted Houston’s rationale when she said “me going for a walk in the woods is going to cause a fire, I can understand why people think that’s ridiculous, but the reality is it’s not that you might cause a fire, it’s that if you’re out there walking in the woods and you break your leg, we’re not going to come and get you, because we have emergency responders that are out focused on a fire that is threatening the lives of New Brunswickers.”

At today’s press conference, Houston pivoted again, marking the third time among the two Premiers, portraying the ban primarily as a way to keep people away from forest fires that have already started.

“How would you like to be stuck in the woods while there’s a fire burning around you? I don’t think anyone would want that either, so be smart, be human, don’t look for loopholes, and an out-of-control forest fire is a serious situation.”

Since last week’s restrictions, 12 fines have been issued, according to Houston.

“It’s certainly my hope that every single one of those is fully prosecuted and collected, it’s just too serious of a situation right now,” he said.

Forest land covers 75 per cent of Nova Scotia; the ban affects both rural and urban residents.