Protesters block heavy equipment from entering Lemay Forest; trees still being cut down

It's full-blown Lemayhem in St. Norbert.

On Wednesday morning, protesters blocked the road to Lemay Forest in an effort to stop more tree cutting in the area.

Drama has been unfolding in the forest for several months after Tochal Developments—the landowner—started cutting trees in September.

They were stopped soon after, but once they got a permit to remove the trees, the felling continued before Christmas.

Most recently, a court-ordered injunction against a group protesting was extended Monday, which prevents protesters from blocking a specific area of Lemay Forest.

On Wednesday, Tochal planner John Wintrup showed up with a truck and bobcat to continue removing trees, but the road into the forest was blocked.

"We have notified the police as of this morning and Indigenous Relations with the City of Winnipeg police, and we've asked them to be present today because we don't want an altercation, and we've asked them to at very least uphold the cemeteries act, that's a provincial bylaw, and not allow any cutting to happen today," said protester Louise May.

"We are not planning on being arrested. We are not planning on barricading. We are planning on stopping them to give us enough time to have a proper negotiation with police present."

May said this has reached a "crisis point," and the entire situation needs to be resolved.

Speaking to media at the site, Wintrup said the plan isn't changing, and trees will be cut down.

"This is private property. I've said multiple times, this is private property. The owner has a right to do what they want, just like any other Winnipegger," said Wintrup.

He noted a judge said Tochal has a right to access the property, but that didn't happen Wednesday.

"We tried multiple times. So now we're going to go back to the courts again."

Despite not being able to get the heavy equipment into the forest, Wintrup said there is still a crew cutting away at trees, and that will continue to happen.

Winnipeg councillors involved 

Coun. Russ Wyatt was also on scene Wednesday in support of the protesters, saying the forest needs to be saved.

He also highlighted a plan that he said he discussed with Coun. Markus Chambers.

"Coun. Chambers has indicated to me that he's going to be moving a motion that the City of Winnipeg expropriate the said lands for the purpose of creating a new city park," said Wyatt.

"The Standing Committee (on Property and Development) has the authority to immediately begin the expropriation proceedings, and that would allow us to preserve and save the forest. And my hope is that the owner of the property hears this, ceases and desists from his decision to cut the trees down."

However, Coun. Chambers said this isn't the case.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," said Chambers. "We're not at the point yet where we're looking at expropriation."

He said it would be up to Wyatt to file a motion if he wants it.

Chambers said he is still working with Manitoba Habitat and Conservancy, the province, MP Terry Duguid, and the Manitoba Metis Federation to explore all options when it comes to the forest.

"We've also recognized the fact that the area, Lemay Forest, is home to the pileated woodpecker. The pileated woodpecker is a species that is protected under federal law. With that, there is a group of activities that are filing an injunction to ensure that the pileated woodpecker is protected, in this contest, at the forest, and hopefully that will stop the cutting of trees until we can sort out exactly how we're going to proceed forward with the preservation of Lemay Forest.

Wednesday afternoon, Wyatt shared a letter that he sent to Premier Wab Kinew and Mayor Scott Gillingham, asking both to reach out to the property owner and stop him from cutting trees.

"What we need from government is demonstrated leadership to bring closure to this issue and invoke a fair process for all parties involved. For each day and hour that goes by without this leadership, trees continue to be cut, and further potential conflict between the parties escalates," Wyatt said in the letter.