Winnipeg News: Injunction granted against protesters in LeMay Forest [Video]

A Manitoba judge has granted an injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest to build a development.

The injunction was granted Monday, ordering protesters to leave an area of Lemay Forest, where tree cutting started last week.

“What prompted it was (a) complete lack of engagement on the other side of the defendants, who refused to resolve this matter peacefully,” said John Wintrup, a planner with Tochal Development Group. “So, then we went to civil courts to start resolving this matter when they decided to take these lands hostage and deny entry to the landowner.”

According to the injunction, protesters are ordered to not trespass on the area or impede access for workers or landowners. Police can arrest people who contravene the order.

A tree cut down in Lemay Forest is seen on Dec. 31, 2024. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg)

Development at Lemay Forest has been controversial.

In September, Tochal Development Group started cutting down trees until receiving a cease and desist from the city.

Tochal wants to build an assisted-living …