I recently reported that in Canada, the Nova Scotia government announced it’s banning hiking, camping, fishing and use of vehicles such as ATVs supposedly due to “an elevated wildfire risk”. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000.
This climate lockdown then expanded into another province.
In the face of extremely dry conditions, the New Brunswick government has banned access to all Crown land.This means no fishing, camping, hiking, driving into the woods or using the trail systems. Camping is only allowed on campgrounds. The government has also requested private landowners to comply with the restrictions.The restrictions come as the province battles 10 active fires with two major ones near Miramichi and Canterbury, while suffering from extremely dry conditions, a complete burn ban, and heat warnings in several regions.
However, at least some Canadians are beginning to push back against another wokeist lockdown. The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is taking legal action against the Nova Scotia provincial government over the ban.
The CCF will argue that Nova Scotia’s Forests Act cannot be used to restrict access to all land meeting the very broad definition of “woods” and only allows for targeted restrictions in specific zones. The CCF is also concerned that the government has not properly considered or proportionately balanced the impact of the ban on Charter rights and values, including by creating an offence punishable by imprisonment which is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.“Sweeping restrictions like these undermine trust in public safety measures and raise serious questions about government overreach,” said Christine Van Geyn, Litigation Director for the CCF.“Fining people thousands of dollars for no-risk activities like hiking or birdwatching is not a rational way to manage wildfire concerns,” she added. “The Forests Act doesn’t give the government the power to shut down access to all wooded areas across the province, and it certainly doesn’t allow that kind of power to be used without proper justification.”Dehaas said that while the government has a legitimate interest in preventing wildfires, “any restrictions imposed must be lawful, proportionate and reasonable.” “The current travel ban fails to meet these standards,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has announced that a legal warning letter has been sent to Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt and Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development John Herron, demanding them to reverse their province-wide ban.
Constitutional lawyer Allison Pejovic states that these sweeping restrictions violate Canadians’ right to liberty – protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Ms. Pejovic writes that “walking through the woods and fishing do not pose a risk of starting fires. Punishing Canadians by restricting their freedom to roam and enjoy nature is disproportionate and not rationally connected to preventing forest fires.”Less restrictive measures, such as banning smoking and recreational fires, increasing patrols on Crown land, and improving forest management, could address legitimate fire concerns without violating citizens’ liberty.The letter cautions that if the province proceeds with “overbroad, arbitrary, and grossly disproportionate restrictions,” the province could face a legal challenge and be brought to heel in court.
Geologist and climate expert Dr. Matthew Wielicki offers a detailed look at the environmental and climate realities in Canada, and asserts there is absolutely no need for these draconian measures…unless the goal is training people to accept ludicrous amounts of government control by bureaucratic entities.
I wish the two Canadian groups fighting against the forest use bans good luck, and hope it is not too late to save some personal liberties.
Sensible moves may help them retain the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, both of which are poised to unleash a independence movement that will likely gain more popularity in the face of these senseless eco-restrictions.
Here’s hoping for the best possible outcomes to these cases, for any of the independent-minded Canadians who may still exist.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY