A protester against the development of Lemay Forest has been found in civil contempt of court.
On Wednesday, a Manitoba Court of King’s Bench judge ruled that Louise May breached an injunction requiring protestors to allow crews to access the forest.
In Justice Sarah Innes’ ruling, it says May, who is part of the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest, used her body to prevent access to the property.
In January, court heard May stood in front of a Bobcat trying to access the property and had also parked her truck across the access point to the forest. Court also learned May eventually repositioned the truck to allow room for some equipment to pass through and removed the truck altogether by Jan. 16.
John Wintrup, a planner with Lemay Forest’s owner Tochal Development Group, said he doesn’t expect this ruling will stop others.
He added the company didn’t want to have to turn to the courts but will continue to do so if needed.
“We didn’t ever want to be in court. This is not something we wanted to do,” he said.
“We respect people wanted to protest, and they have a right to protest, but the judge clearly indicated you don’t have a right to infringe on private property rights or to block other people.”
May’s lawyer declined to comment on the matter. A date has not been set for sentencing.
- With files from CTV’s Danton Unger.
