MLA wants heritage protection for Lemay Forest
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This article was published 31/12/2024 (268 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
An independent MLA is calling on Premier Wab Kinew to designate Lemay Forest as a heritage site.
In a Tuesday press release, MLA Mark Wasyliw said the forest is under threat of being destroyed, “jeopardizing its exceptional cultural, historical and environmental significance.”
Wasyliw said the site is sacred, playing host to sweat lodge ceremonies for more than 30 years.
The future of the privately owned land has triggered heated debate over the past year. Its owner wants to create a 5,000-bed, 2,500-unit assisted living facility at the site and resumed tree removal on Dec. 23.
While Tochal Development Group argues this project would provide desperately needed housing, a coalition of residents has fought to keep the forest and urged governments to buy the land to do so. City council has so far rejected the assisted living proposal, but the Manitoba Municipal Board will hear an appeal of that decision early next year.