| Liberty on fire in New Brunswick and Nova ScotiaDear friend of freedom,Venture onto any Crown land in New Brunswick and you could be fined up to $172.50. Venture into any wooded area in Nova Scotia and you could be fined up to $25,000.This is now the reality for Canadians in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.Canadians are already being fined.Master Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Jeffrey Evely with his dog Axel in the Nova Scotia wilderness (Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Evely)On August 8, Jeffrey Evely, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served Canada in two tours to Afghanistan and Iran, walked into the woods near Cox Reef, Nova Scotia.
Conservation officers promptly issued him a ticket for $28,872.50.When he asked why his ticket exceeded $25,000, the officers told him that his fine included “victim fees.”Help us defend Jeff Evely The problem started on August 5, when Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced a total ban on hiking, fishing, and camping in all wooded areas across the province, claiming this was necessary due to an elevated risk of wildfires, with fines up to $25,000 for disobeying his order. Five days later, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt banned all access to Crown land, making it illegal for citizens to step foot on 50 percent of their own province. This is a question that Premier Houston’s officials will be asked in court when Jeff’s case goes to trial. Our lawyers will defend Jeff against this $28,872.50 prosecution by arguing that Nova Scotia’s order is irrational, unscientific and unjustified. As constitutional lawyer Allison Pejovic put it in her demand letter to New Brunswick, “Punishing Canadians by restricting their freedom to roam and enjoy nature is disproportional and not rationally connected to preventing forest fires. ”Governments can create and enforce rules to protect forests, like banning campfires, smoking, and cooking in the woods. Legitimate rules like these do not violate the basic freedom of Canadians to enjoy the great outdoors.Help us challenge these restrictions What you can doShare this story with your friends and family. The free society depends on an engaged and active citizenry. Please support Jeff’s defence by donating to the Justice Centre today. Our lawyers are on the case, seeking to strike down New Brunswick’s and Nova Scotia’s unjustified assault on liberty. We must remain vigilant. Some politicians will use any excuse to violate our rights and freedoms, even preventing Canadians from using the public lands that are so vital to their physical and mental wellbeing. Our Charter rights and freedoms must never disappear from view, especially during challenging times. It’s up to us to remind governments when they forget. Yours sincerely, |
Jeff Evely fined on August 8, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Jeff Evely)These restrictions are irrational and entirely unjustified violations of our basic freedom. Banning harmless activities on public land violates Canadians’ right to liberty – protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After all, how exactly do hiking, fishing, or walking the dog cause wildfires? 
John Carpay, B.A., LL.B.President and FounderJustice Centre for Constitutional FreedomsClick this link for the original source of this article.
Author: brianpeckford
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