You know, growing up in Cape Breton, also with Newfoundland grandparents, I was taught to be independent and self sufficient. I was also taught to be respectful and kind, I understand sacrifices, common decency, and to not be selfish, so, when the government asked Nova Scotians to stay out /1
Amazing how just a tiny bit of common sense speaks volumes.
And how grateful we are to hear it!
The freedoms that we cherish in this country also come with responsibility. Being adults means we follow rules and laws that are there to protect us and our neighbours. It may be inconvenient and not ideal at the moment, but itβs necessary to protect peopleβs lives and homes. #BeCanadian
Showing the fire fighters the same disrespect they showed HCW in the early COVID days. Shameful.
My thoughts now are turning to the possibility of having a hurricane. There could be a lot of destruction with the trees being so dry. π¬π¬
I will worry if and when that happens, for now π€
I may not have been raised down east, but it was drilled into me to be courteous in the face of inconvenience, and to understand that responsibilities weigh as much as freedoms. Some people were raised by selfish idiots, and unfortunately they are our cross to bear
I said to my kid about the ban blowback 'ok for instance - i'm a good person but i'm also scattered if i went in the woods i could drop my eyeglasses and not notice' from the next room her bfriend 'you did that yesterday, getting out of the car you dropped them on dry grass but i found them'
Agree! It infuriates me when people think their rights trump mine or anyone else's.
Thank you for reminding all that adulthood is the expected behavior!
Thank you Cheryl. Look how selfish people can be in this article. A county on Long Island asks for people to stop watering their lawns, and the response of some is "no way my lawn isn't green." nypost.com/2025/08/13/u...
Ditto in 2024 CGY when major potable water infrastructure was failing Citizens asked to ration water for months. No surprise, RW political party executive members publicly defied request to scale back. DELIBERATELY watered their lawns during rains to show childish 'You can't tell ME what to do.'
It's unbelievable.
CGY has 1.5 million ppl. But believe me, I took names. When times of reckoning come, when resources are limited & ppl need help, I will deliberately walk right by 'But my freedomms' ppl. First: Responsibilities & duty to the community at large Individual freedoms comes when we carry responsibility
I will never understand the obsession with lawns. Better to plant pollinator gardens.
smh
Same bunch who wouldnβt wear masks.
Exactly. Iβm sure that for many of them, itβs not about walking in the woods, itβs an excuse to bitch and complain. If it werenβt this, itβd be something else. Trouble is, itβs fomented by those that have a much larger agenda.
Iβm referring in particular to our grandparents & parents (mine born in the 1920s) who went without, made do, scrounged, scrimped & saved. What would they think of the selfish, self centred, entitled, whiny, weak Canadians who feel so aggrieved & hard done by? Theyβd be appalled. 2/2
Itβs mind boggling that previous generations experienced some serious hardships & did whatever was needed or required w/o question, argument, complaint, belligerence bc they believed everyone mattered, so they worked together, supported each other & got through the tough days. 1/2
Itβs also worth pointing out that a LOT of these whiners donβt event live in Nova Scotia - theyβre just rage-bait trolls and shitposters.
Playing Devil's Advocate... There'll always be conflict between individual vs collective. When govt favours one over the other, it'll be seen as unjust.
Houston's fines are seen as unfair and authoritarian, as property owners of woodlots weren't subject to the same fine for 'walking in the woods', yet posed an equal risk to starting wildfires (let alone all those unhoused living in the woods already).
And all Nova Scotians were equally tarred as potential arsonists, while only a tiny minority should be deemed a risk.
That so many Canadians are so quick to obey govt unquestioningly like sheep is a problem pounced on by the rightwing, when more public debate and engagement is required in a healthy democracy.
Debates go on incessantly. But when urgency is needed anyone thinking clearly can see 'fun times' can be delayed during the crisis. Someone has to lead. We elect reps to make tough decisions in crisis. This summer, fire. Nonsensical to view all gov crisis decisions w same matrix as non-crisis times.
Authoritarianism is an increasing trend everywhere, and Canadians might be wiser to avoid that ugly future by questioning all suspect govt policy.
Exactly. The UCP in AB are out of control.
I live in the woods. I've been through 3 evacuations. I supported the ban. It wasn't unprecedented. The only thing that was unprecedented was the disproportionate backlash by the same people who threw hissy fits about wearing masks to protect others. Calling people sheep makes you sound like a RW π€‘.
Government should always be questioned. But whining that woodlot owners, who manage their woods well for the most part, are a sign something is arbitrary is something a right winger would say. And they should always be suspect because theyβd burn the country down around us.
It's not whining to question why an apartment dweller walking on a public trail is suddenly more of a risk than a landowner walking on their own trail. But it does reek of classism.
OFFS. It was to mitigate the wailing of government overreach from people who would predictably scream blue murder that the government was curtailing use of their own private property. You're a city dweller who has never had 15 mins to decide what 12 things from your life you could save & it shows.
Remember when respecting authority used to be a good thing.
This obey like sheep comment is way off base, itβs called caring for others, donβt twist it
Exactly Cheryl. Caring about your neighbours is part of our NS character. I don't know when that turned into a character flaw.
When we elected to gather together as communities, there was an unspoken commitment to the social contract, that is, there is strength in numbers and as a group we can ensure that we all survive. Selfishness did not enter into it. This is a new and undesirable concept
In the real world, though... Communities include all sorts, and most usually join for self-centered reasons, not so much to benefit others. Numbers don't just boost strength, but opportunities too: communities include many hucksters, profiteers, predators.
We're certainly seeing that now. I'm talking about the original reasons we formed groups. Maybe we need to renew that mentality
Primates are only one animal that forms groups to benefit survival. In humans though, it's generally been small family groups for most of our history, not urban groups of strangers.
Anyway, rights in a thriving democracy necessarily require responsibilities too. One can fulfill those responsibilities selflessly or for more selfish reasons, as long as they're fulfilled.
The problem now is, as you say, that too many crow about their rights, but have no intention of fulfilling their responsibilities. So they have to be persuaded to do so one way or another, or be ostracized from the community as the liabilities they are.
Exactly. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers and it's our responsibility to make sure we understand that we all make allowances for the greater good. it requires empathy and altruism, something we seem to be lacking of late
No, I donβt agree, the reason for the fine increase was due to people not listening to previous bans, people can be selfish
Legally you can't stop someone for being on their own property. That's not a fairness issue, it's a common sense issue. Do you think woodlot owners really pose the same fire risk to their own property (and livelihood) as someone not financially invested in the property? Are people this childish?
As a woodlot owner, I wouldnβt dream of being in βmyβ woods when the forest fire index is high. Nor would I want anyone else to be there, when a discarded butt, a broken glass or a spark from a muffler can cause millions of dollars in damage and loss of life. But there are still many stupid people.
Stupid people are still setting off fireworks where we've only had 2 days of rain in over 80 days. They took the burn ban off.
The Albertan alt-right incel separatist brigades are losing their (tiny) minds over that "fascist" forest ban in NS. #ableg #cdnpoli
Lmfao!!! The freedumb crowd are a bunch of morons.
You're lawn doesn't trump the collective having enough water to drink and stay alive. That isn't unjust... no matter how you see it. Perception isn't the issue. Selfishness and ignorance is.
There is no need to play devil's advocate. seriously, just stop.
Why are people such jerks? The government's responsibility is to care for and protect the greater good. By definition, that means some people are going to be inconvenienced at best. It's the price of living in a community, which is really just a huge family. Who, in a family, 1/2
Well said and a check on selfish, destructive behavior.
Well said, Cheryl.
Some people want freedom without responsibility.
Great thread! It seems we've lost our way in many regards, and the selfish and ignorant among us seek only self-satisfaction at any cost. We must reestablish a broader commitment to the common good. As mentioned in the thread, the Ottawa freedumb clowns and NS woods' whiners are one and the same.
Agreed.
The underpinnings of those values & traits, is something Canadians need to reflect upon more and practice daily in our lives. Iβm rather certain that our country, is about to experience βa hundred miles of bad roadβ and these core Atlantic Canadian beliefs & broader Canadian values will serve usβπ€π¨π¦
π₯°
We thoroughly enjoyed our pivot to the beaches on Cape Breton. My hubs had been wanting to hike there for years & yes he whined a bit. He wanted to cancel but we went anyway. Absolutely stunning!!!! 97% of fires are started by those whining wankers. Enjoy your $28,000 ticket moron!!!
Right wing provocateurs from the US (James O'Keefe etc.) are actively stoking conspiracies and encouraging people to break the law. This is MAGA foreign interference.
People are so selfish and cry babies. Great post Cheryl.
Truth...thank you.ππβ€οΈβ€οΈ
My mom is from Corner Brook. Love having a maritime heritage. Dad was from Tangier, on the eastern shore.
I like your phrasing about βthe assignmentβ. Sometimes certain behaviour is assigned in order to keep everyone safe. βPlease keep calm and move in an orderly fashion to the lifeboats.β The βI Wannaβ crowd jump the queue, creating panic, or refuse to comply because they Donβt Wanna. And drown.
Unfortunately everybody drownsπ
βI donβt care,β they say. βI Wanna.β
O βZactly.
Bingo
2/2 doesn't sometimes have to do something they don't want to?
We accept small responsibilities because our actions ripple outward. Avoiding forests in fire season or wearing a mask shows care for others, land, and community. Such acts remind us that freedom is bound with obligation, and living responsibly means safeguarding shared wellbeing.β€οΈπ¨π¦
So well put. I remember when [even] Americans realized this and felt a sense of obligation to what we quaintly referred to as βthe common goodβ.
Well said!! ππ
Yes π₯°
I agree with you, Cheryl 100%! Itβs also concerning and frustrating for me to see that business owners& private individuals or families are watering their yards in the middle of the heat/during the daylight hours after being asked to conserve water!! Donβt these people have common sense?
Watering anything while the sun is shining and in the heat of the day through sprinklers systems and even manually not only is less effective because of evaporation but the liquid touching the plants can cause scorching and kill what theyβre trying to save! Evaporation waste water
And should be done in the early morning hours before noon hour depending on how hot it is outdoors& in the early evening after the sun is starting to setβ¦. Being mindful not to get the foliage wet on your garden& important for efficient watering of garden and lawn to prevent evaporation & sun scorch
We watered our garden primarily with rain water. We have a well so restrictions didn't apply to us but we still conserved water.
Absolutely smart, and resourceful!
I wish the moaners would go to the fire-fighters who've been putting in 16 hour days or people who have lost their homes, sit with them, knee-to-knee, and, looking them straight in the eye, explain why their 'right' to entertainment is more important than anything else on this planet...
fuck that. Have them handle firefighting duties for two hours. Most couldn't hack it for 10 minutes.
Yesssss
ππΌ
No, they need to go and do the firefighters job!! I think the punishment for being such an anti-community-spirited jerk is forced ff duties, front line, weeks in a row with no breaks. Then they get assigned to help track and counsel the folks who lost homes, then a fine and jail!
I wouldn't trust them.
Yep. Theyβd let it all burn. Theyβve already proven they donβt care.
And they'd loot.
Hmmm. Good point. Arselholes...mumble mumble mumm
Thatβs kind of like getting vaccinated to protect others by protecting yourself. People are generally ignorant. Thank you for being one of the good onesβ€οΈ
Great post. I donβt know a soul who even batted an eye at the ban. Itβs always the same small, vocal, and incredibly tiny-minded minority who tantrum over the slightest personal inconvenience. There are almost 7,500 km of coastline alone in NS! Itβs not like thereβs no place to walk FFS.
10% of the people cause 100% of the problems.
The cult of the willfully stupid and hateful.
As a mum to two sons that worked on the Alberta Forestry rappel teams for years, I know all too well the very real danger firefighters face when fighting forest fires. Common sense is in short supply with some people who would never even think to volunteer or choose firefighting as a career.
Respect to your sons & their upbringing. Keeleghan's song 'Cold Missouri Waters' comes to mind. Ppl can be made pariahs but survive, when others decide their 'common sense' but lack of experience counters knowledge and skills. www.usatoday.com/story/news/2... www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN2D...
Tell your sons Canadians thank them and their colleagues.
Most of the whiners are complaining about their βpersonal freedomsβ in regards to the woods ban but I do take exception to the issue of commuters not being able to cycle on the COLT, Harvest Moon Trail or the BLT. Cycling these trails is no more of a fire risk than a car on most country roads.
What a lot of the overly entitled whiners don't realize is that while the fire ban was communicated by government, it was based on a request/recommendation from the fire departments - i.e. the front line. Pathological entitlement conflated with freedom is just another ploy of the far right.
The stupidity is strong in that lot.
Yesssss
"Separatists" in #Alberta are going nuts using the NS forest protection measures as examples of "communist" population control, like fifteen minute cities. You can tell #TakeBackAlberta is run by a drunkard. #ableg #cdnpoli
Yes what's funny about is a) NS has been doing this for at least 50 years when the fire risk is extreme and b) NS has a conservative government.
Yeah, I see they are trying to start another occupation protest in Sept in Ottawa
They wanted to be sure the coffee boy would be there? PP was busy breaking the law in Riley this summer.
/2 of the woods due to the drought conditions, severe conditions, lakes drying up, wells are dry, grass is dead, trees going into early hibernation, you know what, I didnβt bitch and complain about losing my ability to walk in the woods, I just made a pivot to beach walks, walks on the
Of course you did. As any decent person would right?
In Calgary a year or two ago a major repair had to be done to part of the water infrastructure. Most people gamely rationed for weeks but some complained that the (female, brown) mayor was depriving them of their water. IMO it cost her her mayoralty.
Jeezus
Respect, consideration and community seem to be a lost art form.
For some yes
/3 waterfront, drive to small towns and check out the local shops, I did not have my freedoms taken away, I understood the assignment, it was for our safety, we would not be endangered by being in the woods if a fire broke out, so for those complaining, stop being selfish and
/4 find something else to do, you are not losing anything but your damn mind getting angry over this, so grow up and stop being so childish! Have a nice day ππ #NovaScotia #ForestryBan #BurnBan
You're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem. You chose to be part of the solution. Great choice!
Some people clearly resent living in a society where we bear responsibility for the welfare of others.
Such spoiled brats eh?
Yes
This behaviour boils down to lack of emotional intelligence which breeds ugly, destructive, selfish actions. We must not make excuses nor accept anything from them. Let's stop them!
And to all those who were pitching about ma rights... volunteer to fight the fires in those forests. You'll see up close and personal the destruction.
I agree with you! I wouldnβt even consider ignoring those warnings and instructions. The people risking their lives and their health to fight fires donβt need anything else to worry about. We cannot be a part of the problem. Thank you to all who fight to keep us safe.
ππππ
/5 FYI, my uncle was a firefighter for over 37 years and I have seen a lot of what they go through, you try working 16 hours a day in the heat and smoke, you have no idea what they go through, their job is to protect you and everything around you.
Our son is a fire fighter/1st responder. You staying out of the woods helps them focus on their tasks without being sidelined by having to go rescue you. Helps them put out existing fires, not fight new ones. People who complain should be forced to spend a week in fire gear, in a forest on fire.
The idiots who won't stay out of the woods are the same idiots who disregard roadblocks put up for their safety, who disregard cordoned off areas set up by police and fire-fighters for their safety, who disregard DO NOT ENTER signs put up for their safety.
And are often, but not always, the same idiots who vote to defund the public services they expect will be coming to save them
Some Canadians have forgotten, or discarded, the concept of βweβ in favour of βmeβ. Sadly, such people are ignorant, entitled, selfish, inconsiderate, ungrateful & reprehensible. They just donβt care, but if their homes were burned down, youβd hear them whine big time. #disgraceful
Locally known to be arseholes
I would also wager that a good portion of these idiots would also refuse to wear masks and get covid/flu shots.
Exactly. Same type of people.
The same people who disregard speed limits and other traffic related signs put there for their safety.
I couldn't even get through a half hour with the uniform on, let alone try to work in the heat. So in awe of the work they do. True heroes. π
There's always going to be whiny people, we'll never get away from self centered weak minded people. Don't let them get to you, that's exactly what they want.
Being from Ottawa, we experienced truckloads of said whiny, self centered people
You sure did!!
Agreeπ―
Family in Ottawa. They all said it was horrible.
I hear that. I moved back to Ottawa Feb 15th, 2022. I had to lug furniture two blocks to get moved in because of whiny little kids that thought they could overturn a Canadian election. I did give 3 of them extra reasons to whine. (& a lesson about insurance not being valid while illegally parked.)
π
What the people of Ottawa endured was torture. Those moronic pawns who occupied the nationβs Capitol and tortured residents deserved to pay the price. I have no tolerance for their willful stupidity and hate.
They didnβt used to be validated by conservative politicians and media though.
And: They didnβt used to be amplified beyond their own village by global social media platforms.
Social media is an interesting game. In recent months the 'pro Canadian' chanell movement seems to be a big money maker. So big that many influencers are putting the same podcasts on several channels they run, daily. You have to vet them just like MSM, because thanks to youtube, they proffit too.
Both the conservatives and Canadian media corporations have become americanized, if not outright owned, so you have to expect a lot of bullshit. That's a historical fact in the last 15 years. Even from prairie pandering #CBC, so we do have to face reality. Boycotts work, media corps are cash cows.
I saw the YT video of the goomba who got himself a $25k fine because he decided it would be a good grift to show off and dare the COβs to fine him by walking into the woods outside their office door. Iβm sure other selfish goombas have rewarded him handsomely and paid his fine for him.
I do not understand the current angry self-centered victimhood π‘ Get over yourselves, people.
Oh I understand it. Itβs sheet entitlement. βHow dare you tell me where I can go?β Right up there with βHow dare you keep me healthy without my consent?!β
Parents who didnβt parent is a lot of it. If youβve been given everything and every problem solved for you, how could you learn anything else?