The Lemay Forest debacle has become a glaring example of why the City of Winnipeg’s development process is broken. The recent court injunction against the illegal blockade at the site underscores the severity of the issue. This is not just about a piece of land; it’s about property rights, responsible governance, and the erosion of trust in leadership. Winnipeg’s leaders, particularly Councillors Russ Wyatt and Markus Chambers, have shown through their actions that they are more concerned with optics and attention than serving their constituents effectively.
Councillors Wyatt and Chambers have rendered themselves ineffective by participating in what a judge has deemed an illegal protest. Instead of upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair treatment for all stakeholders, they chose to grandstand, undermining their credibility. Wyatt’s media comments about saving a "historic area for Indigenous communities" and Chambers’ past controversies highlight a pattern of behaviour that prioritizes attention over action. Chambers had to apologize after an investigation found that he had violated a code of ethics by failing to recuse himself from a vote involving a friend’s development application. His recusal from discussions on Lemay Forest, citing only legal concerns with no additional detail, further stalled progress and frustrated all parties involved.
In Canada, property owners have rights—rights that are protected under the law. The owner of Lemay Forest has owned this land for over 100 years, paying taxes and maintaining private ownership throughout. Suddenly, a group of activists and opportunistic politicians believe they have the authority to dictate what can be done on this land. Imagine the outrage if the roles were reversed and these activists were told what they could or could not do with their own property. If the land is so important to these groups, they should purchase it at its fair market value instead of vilifying the owner who has followed all legal processes.
The city’s role in this fiasco cannot be ignored. Winnipeg has a track record of failing property owners and creating division through bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies. The Parker Lands development is a prime example of this failure. For over a decade, the city has stalled and obstructed this project, resulting in taxpayers being on the hook for millions after a court ruled in favour of the developer. Despite this ruling, Parker Lands still has not moved forward, and there are fewer places for people to live, proving that Winnipeg’s bureaucracy is not only costly but also ineffective. Lemay Forest is quickly shaping up to be Parker Lands 2.0, and Mayor Gillingham appears to be Brian Bowman 2.0—all talk, no results.
Mayor Gillingham spent much of 2024 boasting about approved building permits, leaving many of the city’s Home Builders scratching their heads. Home Builders who spoke to the Winnipeg Sun expressed confusion and frustration, wondering what developments the mayor was referring to. Lemay Forest is now a visible example of this nonsense. The city’s dysfunction is on full display, and the mayor’s rhetoric does little to address the systemic issues plaguing Winnipeg’s housing development process.
When I was a City Councillor, I proposed taking the power away from politicians when it comes to housing development decisions. Of course, Gillingham and others voted it down. I proposed that Winnipeg needs a Planning Commission made up of independent experts who can hold the bureaucrats at City Hall accountable for delays and inefficiencies. The City has commissions like this already that decide on property tax appeals for example. This new commission would prioritize facts and processes over political agendas, ensuring that property owners and residents are treated fairly. Politicians’ involvement in housing development decisions only creates division and fuels distrust. A Planning Commission would remove this interference and focus on what matters: building a city that works for everyone.
The landowner of Lemay Forest has endured years of paying taxes and maintaining ownership, only to be demonized by those who have used the land as their personal park. Common sense dictates that if the community values this land so highly, they should pool resources to purchase it. Instead, we see politicians exploiting the situation for photo ops and news coverage. Wyatt and Chambers’ actions prove that they are more concerned with headlines than common sense solutions.
Meanwhile, Mayor Gillingham and others continue to push for changes to permit approvals that will drastically change the character of neighbours, claiming that Winnipeg desperately needs more housing. Yet the city’s track record says otherwise. Parker Lands could provide 5,000 units, but it remains stalled. The Polo Park development has been on the table for years, with Gillingham himself delaying it when he was a councillor. Now, Lemay Forest—a project with the potential for 3,000 units—is mired in controversy. How can residents trust politicians who claim to support housing while actively hindering major housing developments?
This is why residents are losing faith in Winnipeg’s leadership. Politicians talk about the need for housing while their actions prevent progress. The city’s failure to streamline housing development processes and respect private property rights is driving away investment and creating unnecessary division. Winnipeg needs elected officials who prioritize transparency, fairness, and common sense—not political theatre.
The Lemay Forest debacle is a microcosm of Winnipeg’s larger issues. Bureaucratic delays, political interference, and a lack of respect for property rights have turned what should be straightforward housing development projects into years-long battles. Residents, Home Builders, and Winnipeg deserve better. City officials must stop fueling division and start building a future that works for everyone.
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