Nova Scotia premier Tim Houston has announced a province-wide ban on hiking, camping, and fishing in the woods due to an elevated risk of wildfires.
N.S. bans hiking and use of vehicles in woods as dry conditions raise wildfire fears | CBC News:
August 05, 2025 - "The Nova Scotia government has announced it's banning hiking, camping, fishing and use of vehicles such as ATVs in the woods due to an elevated wildfire risk. Camping in campgrounds is still permitted, but trail systems through woods are off-limits under the new rules.
Nova Scotia has opened a hiking snitch line.
"As hot and dry conditions in the province persist, Premier Tim Houston said at a news conference Tuesday that these proactive measures are a 'small price to pay' to avoid devastation like the province saw in 2023, when wildfires destroyed more than 200 homes....
"Landowners are being encouraged to voluntarily follow the same restrictions on their private land to minimize the risk of wildfires. While landowners will not face a fine for activities such as hiking in their own woods, any guest of theirs who is found violating the ban could be fined....
"Travel and activity in the woods were also banned in May 2023 while the province battled two major wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. The restrictions were initially put in place for about four weeks or until conditions allowed them to be lifted. The restrictions were lifted after about a week."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hiking-ban-vehicles-wildfire-concerns-1.7019695
Canada's nanny state is out of control! Nova Scotia forest lockdowns banned hikes and picnics | Canadian Constitution Federation | August 7, 2025:
CCF Warns Premier Houston: Hiking Ban Threatens Freedoms, Petition Demands Repeal | Canadian Constitution Federation (news release):
August 7, 2025 - "The CCF [Canadian Constitution Federation] has formally sent a letter to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and National Resources Minister Tory Rushton urging the provincial government to reconsider the recently announced restrictions on hiking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking and other outdoor activities in the province’s forests. Citing wildfire risks amid dry conditions, the ban was announced and came into effect Tuesday, August 5.
"While the CCF recognizes the importance of wildfire prevention and supports targeted safety measures, this sweeping ban unnecessarily and disproportionately restricts responsible outdoor recreation that has zero fire risk. The ban negatively impacts the well-being of Nova Scotians. The full letter can be read here.
"'The Nova Scotia government is threatening ordinary citizens with $25,000 fines for hiking, even though this poses virtually no threat of starting a fire,' said CCF Counsel Josh Dehaas. 'We are calling on the government to rescind these draconian measures and let Nova Scotians safely enjoy their world-famous forests for the remainder of the summer and beyond.'
"'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.'
"The CCF is now circulating a public petition calling on the government to immediately rescind the ban and restore access to the province’s forests. If the restrictions are not lifted, the CCF may take legal action."
https://theccf.ca/ccf-warns-premier-houston-hiking-ban-threatens-freedoms-petition-demands-repeal/
Read letter: https://theccf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025.08.06-CCF-letter-to-Houston-and-Rushton.pdf
Sign petition: https://theccf.ca/restore-access-to-ns-forests/
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