Nova Scotia·NewThe Canadian Constitution Foundation wants a judicial review of the proclamation by Premier Tim Houston on Aug. 5 that banned all travel in Nova Scotia woodlands because of the risk of forest fire.Court case being launched by the Canadian Constitution FoundationBlair Rhodes · CBC News · Posted: Sep 02, 2025 4:19 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes agoA gate blocks off the Chain of Lakes trail in Halifax where it intersects with Brook Street on Aug. 7, 2025. (Richard Woodbury/CBC)It will be early next year before the province’s decision to impose a sweeping travel ban in Nova Scotia woodlands gets tested in court.Lawyers for the Canadian Constitution Foundation were in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Tuesday to set dates for its challenge to the ban. The first available dates are Feb. 2-3, 2026.The foundation will be joined in their challenge by Jeff Evely, a Nova Scotian who deliberately violated the ban and was fined $28,000 as a result.CCF is asking for a judicial review of the proclamation by Premier Tim Houston on Aug. 5 that banned all travel in Nova Scotia woodlands because of the risk of forest fire. The group argues the ban is too broad and too vague.Last week, the government removed the ban in Cape Breton and the eastern part of the Nova Scotia mainland because recent rainfall had reduced the fire risk.But a ban on open fires remains, with the travel restrictions still in effect in the western half of the province, where the largest wildfire continues to rage out of control.On its website, the Canadian Constitution Foundation describes itself as “a national and non-partisan charity” whose objective is ensuring “government power does not infringe on the rights and freedoms of Canadians.”MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORBlair Rhodes has been a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 31 with CBC. His primary focus is on stories of crime and public safety. He can be reached at blair.rhodes@cbc.ca
Charter challenge on Nova Scotia’s woods ban set for next year
