OTTAWA — An Alberta Conservative MP is criticizing the Liberal government for not doing enough to prevent dry conditions in Atlantic Canada, which led to recent bans on outdoor activities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Michelle Rempel Garner addressed reporters in Ottawa, stating that the federal government's lack of action on wildfire preparedness forced the provinces to take the unusual step of closing wooded areas to the public.

"Four full wildfire seasons ago, the Liberals promised more water bombers, more firefighters. Where are they?" Rempel Garner asked, referencing a 2021 campaign promise to allocate $500 million for community firefighting efforts. She added, "Whenever there’s a major crisis, what the Liberal government has done by their inaction has conditioned Canadians to expect that the only response they can see … is to restrict their movement."

While Rempel Garner did not explicitly state her position on the provincial bans, her comments came during an announcement regarding proposed reforms to the criminal code for non-resident offenders. The forest bans have sparked division among conservatives, with some comparing them to COVID-19 restrictions.

Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis expressed concerns on social media, suggesting that the bans could lead to broader lockdowns. "While the government says this is to prevent forest fires, the approach has left many feeling discouraged, disconnected, and wondering if there’s a bigger purpose at play," she tweeted.

Conversely, some conservatives have defended the bans. Fred DeLorey, a former national campaign manager from Nova Scotia, described the forest ban as a result of "hard-earned wisdom." In a recent Substack post, he explained, "Here’s the problem: Nova Scotia is built differently than the rest of the country … When conditions are this dry, even low-risk activity becomes high-stakes."

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced a 12-week ban on entering the woods, which carries a fine of $25,000. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt followed suit over the weekend, implementing a similar ban on recreational activities in wooded areas, although no fine has been established yet.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has not publicly stated his stance on the provincial restrictions. The office of Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski did not respond to a request for comment regarding Rempel Garner's claims about the Liberal government's inaction on wildfire preparedness.