Nova Scotia Wildfire Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

0:00A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge ruled that the province's wildfire ban last year was unreasonable because it ignored key charter rights. In a decision dropped on April 18, 2026, Justice Jamie Campbell said the province-wide order violated Section 6 of the charter, which protects Canadians' right to move freely across the country. Back in August 2025, extreme drought had officials locking down most woods access to curb fire risks. They set up permits for commercial workers who depend on forestry for a living, but skipped any real look at how it hit everyday folks. The challenge came from local resident Jeffrey Eveli, who got slapped with a fine over $28,000 for hiking near Sydney anyway, and sharing a video online. His lawyers argued it trampled basic mobility freedoms for non-commercial users. Campbell pointed out the government weighed business needs, but not recreational ones, like hunters, hikers, or berry pickers, just enjoying the outdoors.

1:00That get made the whole ban fall short of legal standards. This ruling won't undo the past since the ban's long expired, but it arms future emergency calls with clearer rules on rights versus risks. Keeping governments in check next time flames threaten. From your city, powered by AI, this is Calvary News Today.