Province says not enough evidence for charges in origins of 2023 Halifax wildfire
HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government has opted against laying charges in relation to the origins of a 2023 wildfire in the western suburbs of Halifax.
The Department of Natural Resources says in a release today that it had up to two years to lay charges under the Forests Act, but it had determined there isn't sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
In the release, the department also says there is a 'high bar' for what can be used as evidence in court in these cases.
Last December, an RCMP investigation determined no criminality in the cause of the wildfire, and the file was passed to the province.
A person can be fined up to $500,000 and face up to six months in jail if found to be in violation of the provincial Forests Act.
Last August, Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said investigators knew the location of the original fire but needed more evidence to lay charges.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
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