Nova Scotia has only collected $118,869, which is around 12% of the total $1,010,537 in fines issued for illegal burning over two and a half years. The Justice Department reported that 35 summary offence tickets totaling $25,000 were issued between 2023 and July 30, with 16 resulting in convictions. These fines include a victim surcharge and court costs, bringing the total to $28,872.50.
Criminology professor Michael Boudreau from St. Thomas University in Fredericton commended the province for its efforts in collecting fines, acknowledging the challenges posed by the significant fine amounts. He emphasized the importance of taking fines seriously, as failure to pay or challenge them could lead to arrest.
The fines imposed for illegal burning were initially introduced in 2023 following destructive wildfires in Shelburne and Halifax counties. These fines were later made permanent in May of this year. Individuals facing fines have options to either pay upfront or contest the ticket in court.
Boudreau cautioned against ignoring fines, highlighting the potential consequences of non-payment, including arrest or wage garnishment. Despite the low number of tickets issued annually, he noted that people are paying attention, especially when facing financial penalties.
Although the provincial government declined an interview request, Wayne MacKay, a professor emeritus at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, stressed the importance of transparency regarding the enforcement of fines. MacKay emphasized the need for fines to be proportionate to the offense and enforced to ensure compliance.
A recent case involved a Cape Breton man intentionally violating the ban on entering wooded areas to challenge the fine in court. This legal challenge is set to be heard in February 2026. The province has implemented a province-wide burn ban due to dry conditions, extending until October 15 or until conditions improve.
If you have any questions about wildfires, smoke, or air quality, you can contact ask@cbc.ca for more information. The statistics provided show the number of tickets, convictions, and amounts collected for fire restriction violations over the past two and a half years.
