The province is clamping down on illegal wood cutting.
Penalties for cutting timber on crown land used to start at a fine of $2000 or up to six months in jail.
The new fines will start at $50,000 for an individual commiting a first offense and up to $100,000 after that.
They could also see up to a year in prison.
For companies, the fines are steeper, starting at $250,000 for an initial offence and running as high as a half million dollars for subsequent offences.
The changes bring penalties in line with other jurisdictions across the country.
Fines Increased for Illegal Cutting on Crown Land https://t.co/2MLElcreLx
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) October 4, 2016
They will apply to clearing for forestry, commercial development, agricultural purposes and road building.
