'Enough is enough': Winnipeg neighbourhood groups demand guidelines from Manitoba Hydro after clear-cutting in parks
Recent clear-cutting in two Winnipeg parks by Manitoba Hydro has residents demanding guidelines and increased community consultation.
A letter, signed by four residents’ associations and Trees Please Winnipeg, is calling on Manitoba Hydro to immediately develop policies regarding the maintenance, pruning and removal of existing trees in Winnipeg.
The letter to Manitoba Hydro was also sent to the city and provincial representatives including Mayor Brian Bowman and Jeff Wharton, the province’s Minister of Crown Services.
Robert Orr, president of Kingston Crescent Residents’ Association, said they want the city and province to be “keenly aware” citizens are voicing their displeasure with how Manitoba Hydro goes about its business.
“[We want] to start getting some straight answers from Manitoba Hydro going forward about how they are going to approach the whole forestry infrastructure in the city,” Orr said. “And if they can do so in a more respectful and collaborative manner with the communities that they serve.”
In March, Manitoba Hydro authorized the clear-cutting of 200 mature trees in Wolseley’s Omand Park. The letter said the felled trees could have been pruned instead.
Last week, at Sandra Crowson Bay Park in East Fort Garry, Manitoba Hydro cut down trees near power lines.
“I think that was, kind of, the last straw,” Orr said.
Orr said they penned the letter not only to demand action, but to get several neighbourhood committees involved.
“Enough is enough.”
According to the residents’ letter, the loss of trees disrupts urban ecosystems and negatively impacts animals living there.
The letter said Manitoba Hydro’s response to concerned citizens has been inadequate. The letter calls Hydro’s decisions on where and what trees to cut down appears “ad hoc and inscrutable.”
The residents expect Hydro to develop a clear and transparent policy on when trees should be pruned as opposed to removed. The letter also calls for meaningful public engagement to clearly communicate with neighbourhoods prior to cutting.
In a statement to CTV News, the Crown corporation said, “nobody, including Manitoba Hydro, wants to see trees removed unnecessarily. Unfortunately, in some instances – usually when self-seeding, fast-growing trees that were not present when lines were initially built are involved – removing the trees in the entirety may be the only way we can safely ensure we protect against the risks of prolonged outages, damage to infrastructure, and fires.”
The statement also said Manitoba Hydro only removes trees when it’s absolutely necessary, preferring to prune back what is required to maintain safe clearance.
Manitoba Hydro said it is looking to make improvements in how it notifies communities of tree management.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.