PROPONENTS of a hotly contested plan to build a major assisted living facility at Lemay Forest are asking for an armed security presence at an upcoming hearing.
“We’re asking for enhanced security to be there, given the events that have transpired over the last week and a half involving the police, as well as the courts,” said John Wintrup, the project’s planner.
“We understand there’s lots of passionate voices on the other side and their passion has, I think, crossed the line multiple times.”
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
People protesting the development of the Lemay Forest barricade the entrance to the area Thursday. The project’s planner is asking for armed security to be at an upcoming hearing about the project at the Manitoba Municipal Board next month.
Wintrup alleged he was shoved by someone wearing a mask while he was at a site where protesters blocked an entrance to the forest in an effort to prevent tree removal.
He also claimed someone driving a vehicle tried to run him over and he was chased by another vehicle as he left the site on foot Sunday.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
City council rejected Tochal Development Group’s proposal to build a 2,500-unit assisted living facility at the St. Norbert site in September after city planners decided it was too big for the property.
The Manitoba Municipal Board is expected to hear an appeal of that decision next month and Wintrup is concerned about safety.
“I’ve been at very heated public hearings before and I’ve seen armed security guards there and I think that would be appropriate,” he said.
In a brief statement, the municipal board said it is still finalizing details of the hearing.
“The board also takes security considerations seriously, but it would not be appropriate to discuss them publicly,” the statement said.
Members of the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest could not be reached for comment Friday. Their Facebook page appears to have restricted access to a private group.
Previously, the residents’ group argued the trees provide an important, biodiverse wildlife habitat that must be protected. They said the site has also played host to a culturally significant sweat lodge for decades.
On Thursday, protesters and supporters said they have not witnessed any violence at the site. A court order was issued to end the blockade, but protesters said they plan to stay.
Coun. Markus Chambers said the municipal board hearing is expected to take place Feb. 11-13, though details are still being worked out and the venue hasn’t been chosen.
Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) declined to weigh in on the developer’s personal safety concerns.
“I can’t speak to his request regarding his own personal safety. What’s happening here has been quite emotionally charged for the residents in the area. But in my interactions with them, it’s always been civil and not (creating) any fear for my personal safety,” he said.
Chambers, whose ward includes the forest, hopes a new $5.25-million Manitoba Habitat Conservancy offer to buy the land, which includes funding from the provincial and federal governments, is accepted.
“They’ve made a reasonable offer,” he said.
On Friday, the developer’s lawyer told the Free Press his client doesn’t have a proper offer to consider.
“The ‘offer’ has not been approved by (the) MHC board, it doesn’t reflect fair market value,” Kevin Toyne said in an email.
Coun. Janice Lukes, the city’s deputy mayor, said requests for added security are becoming more common.
“It’s a really polarized world right now and if that’s what the developer feels he needs, well, so be it…. We’ve got security in places we never would have dreamed of two years ago and that’s just a sign of the times,” said Lukes (Waverley West).
MHC said the province has committed $1.5 million toward the purchase offer for Lemay Forest, while the remaining funding breakdown between MHC and the federal government is still being finalized, with some applications still in the works.
The developer resumed cutting down trees at the site on Dec. 23. A small group of people started camping at the property on Dec. 27 to protest the tree-clearing, which was halted that day.
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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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