Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Judge dismisses Crown appeal of acquittal of Niagara COVID lockdown protester

 
 
 


---------- Original message ---------
From: McKee, Robert Hon. (JPS/JSP) <Robert.McKee@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: I called about Ed Fast's constituent Kristopher Kamienik versus the Abbotsford Police Correct?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Hello,

 

Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments, and concerns are important. You can be assured that all correspondence is carefully read, reviewed, and taken into consideration.

 

Please note that, depending on the issues raised, and to deal with them in the most effective way, we may forward a copy of your correspondence to the appropriate government official in this department, or in another provincial department or agency. As a result, several business days may pass before a response is sent.

 

If your issue is constituency related, please contact my constituency office by phone at (506) 856-3827.

 

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Sincerely,

 

 

Hon. Robert K. McKee, K.C.

Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Minister responsible for Addiction and Mental Health Services

 


(The Department cannot assume liability for the loss or disclosure of personal information, personal health information or other personal details when submitted via email. For more information on privacy please visit: GNB's Privacy Statement.)


— — — — — — —

 

Bonjour,

 

Merci pour votre courriel. Vos pensées, commentaires et préoccupations sont importants. Vous pouvez être assuré que toute correspondance est soigneusement lue, examinée et prise en considération.

 

Veuillez noter que, selon les problèmes soulevés, et afin de les traiter de la manière la plus efficace possible, nous pouvons transmettre une copie de votre correspondance au représentant gouvernemental approprié de ce ministère, ou d’un autre ministère ou organisme provincial. Par conséquent, plusieurs jours ouvrables peuvent s’écouler avant qu’une réponse ne soit envoyée.

 

Si votre problème est lié à la circonscription, veuillez contacter mon bureau de circonscription par téléphone au (506) 856-3827.

 

J’apprécie sincèrement le temps que vous avez pris pour écrire.

 

Je vous prie d’agréer mes salutations distinguées.

 


L’hon. Robert K. McKee, c.r.

Le ministre de la Justice, procureur général et ministre responsable des Services de santé mentale et de traitement des dépendances

 

 

(Le ministère ne peut être tenu responsable pour la perte ou la divulgation de renseignements personnels, de renseignements personnels sur la santé ou de tout autre détail personnel lorsqu’ils sont communiqués par courriel. Pour plus d’informations sur la confidentialité, veuillez visiter : Déclaration de confidentialité du GNB.)

 

---------- Original message ---------
From: Minister, AG AG:EX <AG.Minister@gov.bc.ca>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Your Email has been received
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>


Thank you for your email.

This automated response is to confirm that your email has been received.

If you have made inquiries that fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Attorney General, your email will be reviewed for consideration.

In the event that your inquiry is the responsibility of another area of government, we will refer your email appropriately for review and consideration.

We appreciate that you have taken the time to write.

Sincerely,
Minister’s Office
Attorney General
 



---------- Original message ---------
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.

We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.

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Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Arif Virani, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.

En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.

Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.

 


---------- Original message ---------
From: Moore, Rob - M.P. <Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: I called about Ed Fast's constituent Kristopher Kamienik versus the Abbotsford Police Correct?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

*This is an automated response*

 

Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.

 

If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.

 

If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.

 

Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.

Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal

rob.moore@parl.gc.ca

 

 

---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Subject: I called about Ed Fast's constituent Kristopher Kamienik versus the Abbotsford Police Correct?
To: <Ed.fast.c1a@parl.gc.ca>, Ed.Fast <Ed.Fast@parl.gc.ca>, <Mark.Jordan@abbypd.ca>, <AG.Minister@gov.bc.ca>
Cc: pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, jagmeet.singh <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, <ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, ministryofjustice <ministryofjustice@gov.ab.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>


https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/constituencies/abbotsford(898)

Member of Parliament

Main office - Abbotsford
205-2825 Clearbrook Road
Abbotsford, British Columbia
V2T 6S3

Telephone: 604-557-7888



Kristopher Kamienik videoes etc speak volumes to many

Please help me make this go VIRAL!!!
- Share, share, share!
Yesterday the Abbotsford Police Department used excessive force by initiating an unprovoked attack using OCS spray without warning on Kristopher Kamienik in order to enforce a municipal parking bylaw.
Not only was this disgusting excessive use of force and the subsequent arrest unlawful given the Supreme Court case law of R v Sharma 1993, it was also a blatant violation of his right to freedom of assembly and protest.
The ladder point was demonstrated by the fact that they ransacked his home, destroyed his property and specifically ruined all his protest signs for absolutely no reason. Not to mention that the "plan of attack" was clearly pre-planned by all the officers involved.. Watch for the "👍"...
In my opinion this was clearly politically motivated retaliation and 100% an unlawful arrest. As of yet no charges have been laid.
Please help & support Kris right now by sharing the sh*t out of this video🙏


If you want to reach out to me, my number is 778-954-9601
May be an image of text
May be an image of 1 person and text
This officer gave the go ahead to douse me with pepper spray on November 24th, 2024 at 685 Lefeuvre Rd. in front of the Aldergrove Bowl regional park.
Sgt P Kelly ( bully cop)
Abbotsford police
Abbotsford, BC



---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Minister, AG AG:EX <AG.Minister@gov.bc.ca>
Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Subject: Your Email has been received
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email.

This automated response is to confirm that your email has been received.

If you have made inquiries that fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Attorney General, your email will be reviewed for consideration.

In the event that your inquiry is the responsibility of another area of government, we will refer your email appropriately for review and consideration.

We appreciate that you have taken the time to write.

Sincerely,
Minister’s Office
Attorney General
 

This was the last time I called your office Correct?

---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:04:37 -0300
Subject: Re: Ed Fast: Freedom? Yeah, right… | Ed Fast: Liberté? Et oui
Hey Bill King what will your boss and legions of Proud Canadians do if
the Crown takes Tamara Lich's Freedom after celebating the Queen's
Birthday???
To: bill.king.801@parl.gc.ca, Ed.fast.c1a@parl.gc.ca,
ambassaden.ottawa@gov.se, cynthiachung@substack.com,
xela.reniark@gmail.com, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, premier
<premier@ontario.ca>, yannvg@goulstonstorrs.com, Connie
<Connie@insightcreativecommunications.com>, dd
<dd@blackdiamondstrategies.us>, "Marco.Mendicino"
<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, washington
field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, "Brenda.Lucki"
<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>,
ugyfelszolgalat@bm.gov.hu, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
lbayer@politico.eu, "Melanie.Joly" <Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>,
David.Fraser@cbc.ca, Guy.Quenneville@cbc.ca, lgehrke@politico.eu,
"George.Soros" <George.Soros@opensocietyfoundations.org>,
"Jean.Chretien" <Jean.Chretien@dentons.com>, birgittajoy
<birgittajoy@gmail.com>, smari <smari@immi.is>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>,
stkhm@international.gc.ca, d.schirr@mckercher.ca,
regina@swedishconsulates.ca, joseph.lougheed@dentons.com,
calgary@swedishconsulates.ca, Matt.ehret@tutamail.com,
halifax@swedishconsulates.ca, news <news@hilltimes.com>, news-tips
<news-tips@nytimes.com>, "ed.pilkington"
<ed.pilkington@guardian.co.uk>, postur <postur@for.stjr.is>,
melanie.joly@international.gc.ca, ju.registrator@gov.se,
ju.birs@gov.se, investigations@cbc.ca, dpike@amherst.ca,
briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, oldmaison
<oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "freedomreport.ca"
<freedomreport.ca@gmail.com>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin"
<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, Viva Frei
<david@vivafrei.com>, cbreton@irpp.org, jditchburn@irpp.org,
cdesjardins@irpp.org, CSR-CRS@gnb.ca, jbradley@canadian-republic.ca,
tfreda@canadian-republic.ca, info@canadian-republic.ca,
darrow.macintyre@cbc.ca, sylvie.gadoury@radio-canada.ca,
cra-arc.media@cra-arc.gc.ca, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier
<premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the
Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, "Candice.Bergen"
<Candice.Bergen@parl.gc.ca>, "pierre.poilievre"
<pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, sheilagunnreid
<sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, attorneygeneral@ontario.ca,
Moiz.Karimjee@ontario.ca
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, ltgov@gnb.ca, info@gg.ca,
Rob.McKinnon@gg.ca, alex.robichaud@gnb.ca, Judy.Wagner@gnb.ca,
sarah.cross@gnb.ca, livefromtheshed2022@gmail.com,
gord@brightlightnews.com

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/05/crown-trying-to-put-freedom-convoy.html

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Crown trying to put Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich back in jail



---------- Original message ----------
From: "Karimjee, Moiz (MAG)" <Moiz.Karimjee@ontario.ca>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:06:48 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Ed Fast: Freedom? Yeah, right… | Ed Fast:
Liberté? Et oui Hey Bill King what will your boss and legions of Proud
Canadians do if the Crown takes Tamara Lich's Freedom after celebating
the Queen's Birthday???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I am on vacation until July 8th. For Bail Reviews (including
discussing time estimates), Superior Court, Summary Appeal, Trial,
Hate Crime or any other matter requiring immediate attention please
email Rolanda Ahadjitse at Rolanda.Ahadjitse@ontario.ca and Olivia
Khalil at olivia.khalil@ontario.ca

Moiz Karimjee
Assistant Crown Attorney



---------- Original message ----------
From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:06:48 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Ed Fast: Freedom? Yeah, right… | Ed Fast:
Liberté? Et oui Hey Bill King what will your boss and legions of Proud
Canadians do if the Crown takes Tamara Lich's Freedom after celebating
the Queen's Birthday???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.

You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
reviewed and taken into consideration.

There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
response may take several business days.

Thanks again for your email.
______

Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.

Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.

Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.

Merci encore pour votre courriel.


---------- Original message ----------
From: "Bergen, Candice - M.P." <candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:04:50 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Ed Fast: Freedom? Yeah, right… | Ed Fast:
Liberté? Et oui Hey Bill King what will your boss and legions of Proud
Canadians do if the Crown takes Tamara Lich's Freedom after celebating
the Queen's Birthday???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

On behalf of the Hon. Candice Bergen, thank you for contacting the
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

Ms. Bergen greatly values feedback and input from Canadians.  We read
and review every incoming e-mail.  Please note that this account
receives a high volume of e-mails.  We reply to e-mails as quickly as
possible.

If you are a constituent of Ms. Bergen’s in Portage-Lisgar with an
urgent matter please provide complete contact information.  Not
identifying yourself as a constituent could result in a delayed
response.

Once again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Au nom de l’hon. Candice Bergen, nous vous remercions de communiquer
avec le Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle.

Mme Bergen accorde une grande importance aux commentaires des
Canadiens.  Nous lisons et étudions tous les courriels entrants.
Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels.  Nous y
répondons le plus rapidement possible.

Si vous faites partie de l’électorat de Mme Bergen dans la
circonscription de Portage-Lisgar et que votre affaire est urgente,
veuillez fournir vos coordonnées complètes.  Si vous ne le faites pas,
cela pourrait retarder la réponse.

Nous vous remercions une fois encore d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.

Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,

Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/lizkramer73 

 

I wonder if the cops watched this show 
Common Nuisance w/ Cullen McDonald & Dave Freedom


 
 

Alison Langley
@nfallslangley

McDonald supporters welland MAIN


Image
David Raymond Amos
Check your email
 
 
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 1:05 PM
Subject: Fwd: The snobby French lawyer Mirko Bibic is back in the CBC News today N'esy Pas Mr Minister of Industry?
To: <Alison.Langley@niagaradailies.com>

Alison Langley
@nfallslangley
Multi-media journalist at the Niagara Falls Review Story idea or news tip? Drop me a line at alison.langley@niagaradailies.com

https://x.com/nfallslangley/status/1844840456594808991
 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Subject: Fwd: The snobby French lawyer Mirko Bibic is back in the CBC News today N'esy Pas Mr Minister of Industry?
To: <angus.scott@niagaradailies.com>

Contact Us Niagara Falls Review

Niagara Falls Review

8 Spadina Avenue, Suite 10A, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8


Customer Service

Phone: 905-358-5711

News, Events and Letters

News tips

Do you have a news tip? Or photos for us to consider for publication? There are multiple options available for both registered and non-registered users.

Angus Scott


 

 
 

Judge dismisses Crown appeal of acquittal of Niagara COVID lockdown protester

The judge also granted Cullen McDonald’s appeal of his conviction relating to a second anti-lockdown rally and quashed the conviction.

Supporters of Cullen McDonald gather in front of the Welland courthouse on Friday. McDonald, who was charged for involvement in anti-lockdown protests during the COVID-19 pandemic, won appeals of two court decisions.


A packed courtroom erupted in applause after a Welland judge dismissed a Crown appeal against a man police say played a major role in an anti-lockdown protest in Niagara Falls during the height of the pandemic.

Following a hearing in a Superior Court of Justice in Welland on Friday, Judge James Ramsay dismissed the appeal of the acquittal against Cullen McDonald, formerly of Lincoln.

The judge also granted McDonald’s appeal of his conviction relating to an anti-lockdown rally held in St. Catharines about a week after the gathering in Niagara Falls, and then quashed the conviction.

Ramsay, who told the appellant he did not need to hear his submissions during the hearing, did not provide any reasons for his decisions.

It was standing-room-only in the courtroom, and the crowd applauded after the judge made his brief ruling.

There was an increased police presence in the area as people rallied outside the courthouse in support of McDonald.

After the hearing, an emotional McDonald addressed the crowd.

“Don’t give up hope, no matter what they (expletive) throw at you,” he said.

“I said we had two options: we fight or we lose. And I fought and I won and so can everyone here.

“This is our win. This was our versus freedom and we all won.”

Friday’s court proceedings brought an end to a three-year legal battle for the 33-year-old former Niagara resident, who now lives in Mexico.

McDonald was previously found not guilty following a trial in an Ontario Court of Justice of committing a common nuisance in relation to his role in a large gathering held in the Niagara Falls tourism core.

Under the Criminal Code, a common nuisance is defined as any activity or act that is likely to endanger the lives, safety and health of the public.

The Crown appealed the acquittal to Superior Court.

McDonald, meanwhile, appealed his conviction on the same charge relating to his role in the smaller rally in St. Catharines.

Both appeals were heard simultaneously.

In spring 2021, the Ontario government responded to a surge in COVID-19 infections by declaring a state of emergency and ordering residents to stay at home.

But hundreds of unmasked people defied the stay-at-home order, including controversial People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier, at the April 17, 2021 rally in Niagara Falls.

In his verdict at the provincial court level, Judge Richard Blouin said he was not satisfied the grouping of people, in an expansive outdoor setting, constituted a risk of communication of COVID-19, thereby endangering the public.

In his submissions in Superior Court on Friday, assistant Crown attorney Michael Lucifora argued Blouin made “glaring errors” in his decision as he did not take into consideration all of the relevant facts in the relation to the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Matthew Muller, an infectious diseases physician from Toronto, testified at both trials that the province was experiencing a significant wave of infections at the time of the Niagara demonstrations.

He said both events had the potential to create a risk of infections, but added the risk would have been lower compared to a gathering held indoors.

Lucifora at the appeal hearing said while the risk was minimized, it was not eliminated and therefore McDonald’s actions constituted committing a common nuisance.

While Blouin acquitted McDonald in the first trial, the judge who presided over the trial relating to the St. Catharines event had a diametrically different opinion.

Judge Joseph De Filippis found McDonald guilty and said participants in the May 1, 2021, rally in downtown St. Catharines chose to “shut their eyes to reality.”

“They were focused on freedom,” De Filippis said in his verdict.

“Freedom is not a licence, freedom is a responsibility. The defendant’s freedom to swing his arms ends at my nose.”

McDonald, who represented himself at both trials, testified he was simply a participant and not an organizer of either event.

He maintained he was exercising his right to participate in a peaceful assembly protected by the Canadian Bill of Rights.

“My victory in the Superior Court means a great deal to me because it stands as a challenge to government overreach and a defence of the fundamental rights of all Canadians,” McDonald wrote in an email statement Friday afternoon.

He said his case highlights the importance of addressing the “misuse of the legal system to silence dissent.”

“This win is a significant step in the fight against these injustices and in the protection of individual rights — not just for myself, but for the next generation, our children.”

AL

Alison Langley is a Niagara Falls Review reporter.

Related Stories

 

 
 
 
 

Monday, 2 December 2024

Balsam fir trees 'at risk' in New Brunswick amid a changing climate

 

Balsam fir trees 'at risk' in New Brunswick amid a changing climate

Forestry experts and farmers warn rising temperatures could harm tree health

While artificial Christmas trees might be the popular choice during the holiday season, nothing beats the smell of a fresh balsam fir. 

But new research out of the University of New Brunswick shows the popular tree is at risk of being harmed by climate change. 

Anthony Taylor, a forest ecologist and professor of forest management at the University of New Brunswick, said the balsam fir is an important species in the region, making up about 20 per cent of all the trees in the province.

Taylor and two other researchers have spent the past six years correlating historic climate data with previous balsam fir mortalities — or die-offs — and found these trees in particular are sensitive to high temperatures and periods of drought. 

A University of New Brunswick professor does an interview while sitting at his desk in his office. Forest ecologist Anthony Taylor used historic climate data and tree mortality mapping to conclude that balsam fir trees are highly sensitive to changes in environment. (Ben Ford/CBC)

In the spring of 2018, Taylor said people noticed evergreens along the highway were turning red — and dying. 

"They tended to be individuals or small clusters of trees, but they were bright red," said Taylor.

"And so then the question became, well, what's causing this?" 

Using historical temperature and drought data, Taylor and his team were able to draw a strong link between the clusters of red trees and climate anomalies across the province. 

"Just the year before, we had an abnormally dry summer, and it was also warm. It was a very warm, dry fall as well," he said.

"And so you had this warm, dry fall extending right into December. So you had a lot of trees basically going into dormancy in the winter time, going to sleep, under really dry, stressed conditions." 

Taylor's research found this wasn't the first time mass mortality has happened here — the same condition was reported in 1986 and was referred to then as Stillwell's syndrome. Coincidentally, 1986 was also a dry, hot year.

"And so then that led us to the conclusion that climate is a driver of this mortality." 

WATCH | Here's why you might be seeing more red balsam firs:
 

Real or fake? Christmas tree debate has a new contender: climate change

New research from the University of New Brunswick shows balsam firs are at risk of being harmed by climate change.

Shirley Brennan, executive director of the Canadian Christmas Trees Association, said drought is especially concerning for newly planted trees. 

"We used to always just rely on Mother Nature and now we're looking at, do farms need to have irrigation? Do they need to be able to have a water source?" she said. 

"So it's not a one time cure, like, oh if we all do this this is going to work. And so that's why there's ongoing research about it. But the more that we can work with the soil and find ways to keep that moisture in, the better. The better we, our industry, will be able to combat this." 

Protecting from the ground up 

Taylor hopes the research reaches the right people in New Brunswick — government officials who can put measures in place to curb climate change, but also tree farms and woodlot owners. 

One Christmas tree farmer in Keswick Ridge said he's always had to adapt his trees to changes in the environment. 

Gerry Redmond owns Red Robin Christmas Tree Farm in Keswick Ridge, near Fredericton, and he monitors his 25,000 trees very closely.

A man in a red plaid shirt with a ballcap on does an interview on his farm. Christmas tree farm owner Gerald Redmond says he’s always had to adapt his trees to changes in the environment. (Ben Ford/CBC)

It takes eight to 12 years for the balsam firs he grows to reach the size of a perfect Christmas tree, so he is always monitoring the impact of climate on his trees.

If he has a really dry May, for example, the roots of new seedlings have trouble establishing, meaning he has to take extra care with his younger trees. 

He said always plants more than he expects to harvest, because some trees don't make it, while others grow up patchy or with dry spots because of a lack of sun. 

It's industry practice on farms like his to make adjustments as you go — and there is lots of research being done to create more resilient fir trees, Redmond said. 

"There are seedlings I can get that can withstand drought or withstand too much water too." 

So far, he has not seen any significant die-off because of weather, he said.

However, with research showing "there are significant things that are coming down the line," Redmond plans to "keep alert."  

The future of the fir

Woodlot owners and tree farmers should consider introducing more diverse species into their lots, Taylor said. And on a larger scale, everyone should do their part to prevent further warming. 

"I'm not suggesting that the balsam fir is going to disappear from the landscape anytime soon. It just seems to be one of the species right now that's sensitive to warming, and the kind of warning that we're experiencing.

"And so we may see a reduction in its growth and its availability across the region."

Several evergreen trees of varying sizes are in a field, with a blue sky in the background. The balsam fir makes up about 20% of all the trees in the province, and about two million are exported each year as Christmas trees. (Danielle McCreadie/CBC)

So, what is New Brunswick without the balsam fir? 

"I don't even want to think about it," said Taylor. 

"I mean, it's our provincial tree. Especially this time of year with Christmas coming on, it's such a beautiful smell." 

"But if we do not get a handle on climate change and the climate changes as it's projected to do by the end of the century with this continued growth of emissions, it is a possibility to consider a province without balsam fir." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 
Danielle McCreadie

Associate Producer

Danielle McCreadie produces and puts to air CBC Shift, the provincial afternoon radio show in New Brunswick. She is based out of Fredericton, and has previously worked in radio in Saint John and Halifax. Story ideas? Send an email to danielle.mccreadie@cbc.ca.

 
 
 
107 Comments
 
 
David Amos
David Amos 
Bah Humbug 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
Or perhaps Merry Xmass will do? 


 
Don Corey
This balsam fir thing is simply being used here as another carbon tax scare tactic. I can wander through the woods and, if I look hard enough, find dead trees of any species that grow naturally here in NB.

Your best chance to find them is along sections of highway that are subject to lots of salt. Check them out and you'll see that cedar is especially vulnerable.

According to Christmas tree grower Mr. Redmond "So far, he has not seen any significant die-off because of weather, he said."

David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Well put
 
 
 
Greg Abison
Some people would rather be under a couple kilometers of ice? Let's try that out.

Jimmy Cochrane
Reply to Greg Abison
You’ll be safe from the ice as long as you obey to pay your carbon taxes.

Eddy Geek

Reply to Greg Abison
How on earth did you get there?

Eddy Geek
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
After ALL of this time and you STILL have zero clue about Canada's carbon tax

serge montague
Reply to Eddy Geek
It's not hard to figure out a tax which accomplishes Zero

Eddy Geek
Reply to serge montague
Is that what wee Pierre told you?

You have internet access, use it to actually learn something

serge montague

Reply to Eddy Geek
NO, the climate action plan auditor told me that. His report was all over the internet .

Eddy Geek
Content Deactivated

Reply to serge montague
Sure thing tea roll Buh bye

serge montague

Reply to Eddy Geek
"eddy's gettin upset!" George Costanza

Don Corey
Reply to Eddy Geek
It's simply an income redistribution scheme.

Don Corey
Reply to Eddy Geek
Perhaps you should consider following your own advice.
 
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Trust that he never will



Bob Leeson
Balsam fir does best in cool climates with an annual temp of 4°C, and are one of the most cold tolerant trees known in the world. Their roots need to be constantly moist, and will die if their roots dry out even for a short time.

As the climate changes, their most southern distribution is moving northward, becoming less common in many north-eastern US states. Connecticut for example has had to classify them as endangered due to being at risk from eminent extirpation.

Too bad, because although not an important forestry tree economically like red and white spruce in the Maritimes, they're invaluable to wildlife.

Jimmy Cochrane
Reply to Bob Leeson
Most of the province was very dry this summer. There is always collateral damage from a dry season. More apres peau to wave the climate change flag though.

Bob Leeson
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
I bet many US north-eastern states wish it was just one random season due to natural variation, but unfortunately it appears to be a multi-decade trend, just as predicted in early regional climate models made in the 1980s. I wonder why governments hire scientists when they won't listen to them or heed their findings anyway?

Don Corey
Reply to Bob Leeson
Well, you're wrong about them not being economically important. Although spruce is the preferred species for NB sawmills, balsam fir is actually the dominant species available to sawmills in northern NB. That will change over time though, but more so because of spruce plantations ready for harvesting and much less so because of climate change.

Buy a piece of lumber and you'll see it's graded SPF.....means spruce, pine and fir; for NB that means spruce and fir.

Bob Leeson
Reply to Don Corey
The "F" in SPF normally stands for Douglas fir and several other species. Balsam fir is mostly used for pulp & paper. It's lightness, low strength (both compression & bending), lack of durability (it decays quickly), and lower nail holding strength make it less desirable for framing or other structural construction purposes. It's also small, and mostly sapwood. Sure it can hold up a 6" stud wall for a 1 story home, but there are much better choices available and thus they are not included in higher grades.

Don Corey
Reply to Bob Leeson
Well, you're very wrong again. Balsam fir is included in the "F", and is an important species in many NB sawmills (of which you obviously have zero knowledge, but I do).

Buy lumber graded SPF from NB, and it'll include both spruce and fir; or the fir will be sorted out at the sawmill so bundles graded SPF could be fir only.

Albalita Star
Reply to Don Corey
Hey you can't tell bob he's wrong...he's an expert in this field...well all fields really...

David Amos

Reply to Albalita Star
He is barking up the wrong tree trying to argue that topic with Don 
 
 
 
Jimmy Cochrane
This species grows like weeds.
No sign of any extinction on my acreage
Stop with your misinformation and sketchy “experts” cbc 
 
Jimmy Vee 
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane 
Can you survive 4 years of Trump? The trees will but will you?
 
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
Amen  
 
 
 
Jimmy Cochrane  
You know if we pay more tax this issue will go away.
 
Eddy Geek 
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane  
Why would it??
 
Oh right, you haven't a clue about how carbon taxes work or what they're designed to do

David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
So they say  
 
Dave Sellers 
Reply to Eddy Geek
Neither does our government..