Fine Increased for Dumping on Crown Land

Anyone caught dumping on Crown land can expect a bigger fine under the Crown Lands Act.

“We’re serious about protecting our lands and forests,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “We’re delivering on a promise to increase the fine for dumping on Crown land. Higher fines will serve as a greater deterrent and help keep our natural spaces clean.”

Fines for dumping on Crown land are now $812.50 for a first offence and up to $2,422.50 for repeat offences. Previously, the fine was $352.50 for both first and subsequent offences.

The fines are levied through summary offence tickets. Police and conservation officers can issue them on the spot when a situation warrants a fine.

Quick Facts:

• Crown land is land that is managed by the Department under the Crown Lands Act; about 26 per cent of the province is Crown land
• increasing the fine for dumping on Crown land is a commitment in the Minister’s mandate letter
• fine amounts for this offence under the Crown Lands Act are set out in the Summary Offence Ticket Regulations

Additional Resources:

Crown land map: https://data.novascotia.ca/Lands-Forests-and-Wildlife/Crown-Land-Map/sqec-gjbw

Crown Lands Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/crown%20lands.pdf

Summary Office Ticket Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/sptickets.htm

Mandate letter for the Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-NRR.pdf

Natural Resources and Renewables on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR