Land defenders opposing tree removal in the Lemay Forest will not vacate an entry point despite the owner’s attempt to access the land Wednesday morning.
Since late December, land defenders and members of the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest have camped at an access point just outside the forest.
They’re fighting to stop the land owner – Tochal Development Group Inc. of Toronto – from removing trees on what they say is sacred land.
On Dec. 31, a Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Judge granted an interim injunction ordering them not to impede access to the property owner’s land.
On Monday, the injunction was extended until the next hearing.
Planner arrives at the site
On Wednesday morning, John Wintrup, a planner for Tochal Development, arrived on site with a large truck, intending to access the land.
He returned on two separate occasions with a bobcat.
However, the coalition refused to move without police present.
Three land defenders stood at the site of the access point, while both parties captured cellphone footage.
“We are waiting for police to arrive,” they chanted.
City councillor files motion to expropriate forest lands
City Coun. Russ Wyatt said that a fellow councillor will file a motion urging the City of Winnipeg to expropriate the land into a public park.
“My hope is that the owner of the property hears this, ceases and desists from his decision to cut the trees down, which is somewhat spiteful in the fact that he has not received an approval for development,” Wyatt told reporters.
Coalition planning to file injunction
Louise May, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest, said they play to file an injunction based on the province’s Cemeteries Act.
The former Asile Richot orphanage and home for unwed mothers, which housed a cemetery, is located in the northwest corner of the Lemay Forest.
Past archival research commissioned by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) suggested that the cemetery contains approximately 1,500 burials. However, its exact location is unknown.
Community members have also voiced concerns about unmarked graves, possibly belonging to Indigenous children, in the forest.
“There are 30 years where we don’t have records of the deaths here,” May said. “That is a major piece of St. Norbert history, Manitoba history and even Canadian history.”
‘We’re not looking to preserve the trees’
While city council considers expropriating the land, Wintrup said the developer remains committed to their original plan.
He said they have, and will continue to cut down trees in the Lemay Forest.
“We’re not looking to preserve the trees,” Wintrup said. “The honest answer is that the landowner simply has got tired of everyone saying they’re my trees… you don’t own the trees, we’re moving on.”
By noon, Wintrup left the access point.
