Pointe-Claire development debate continues after trees cut down in Fairview forest
Residents in Pointe-Claire say they're saddened and dismayed to see trees have been cut down in the Fairview Forest, just two months after the area was placed in a zoning freeze -- a freeze that prevents Cadillac Fairview from moving forward with development plans.
The company owns the 50 acres of land, but residents hoped the freeze would prevent the cutting of any trees.
In an email to CTV News, the company said it is "in compliance with all applicable regulations," but did not explain why the trees have been cut down.
According to the municipality's mayor, it was done to make room for a fence the company plans to build around the perimeter of the forest.
"I think it's part of the ongoing campaign of Cadillac Fairview to alienate themselves from the people of Point-Claire," said Mayor Tim Thomas.
Thomas joined a small crowd of environmentalists Saturday who have been protesting development in the area for 84 weeks.
"The hope is we're coming to the realization that maybe staying alive is more important than cutting trees down, perhaps we should think twice about this," he said.
Cadillac Fairview's plan is to turn the green space and wetlands into a downtown for the West Island, with office spaces, a hotel, and high-rise housing at a time when Montreal is facing a housing shortage.
But Thomas says the company's plan won't address the real issue in Greater Montreal, which he says is a lack of affordable housing.
"You have to give infrastructure, roads, parks, facilities, hospitals, schools for residents, so all that money you bring in, you have to give it back for infrastructure."
The group Save Fairview Forest says it's pushing to protect this area because it's the last wild green space in Point-Claire.
"We don't agree with the argument that a forest like this with such ecological value, the last forest in the area, should be clear cut for housing," says Genevieve Lussier, spokesperson for Save Fairview Forest.
With a mall on one side, highways nearby, and the future REM in the distance, she says this area needs to stay pristine.
"The forest absorbs rainwater, it absorbs snowmelt, and it's a buffer from the pollution of the Trans Canada [highway]," she says.
Mark Abley has been fighting to protect this area for many months. He says the citizens should have more rights to the land than corporations.
"This very forest is the habitat of red-shouldered hawks, of wild turkeys, of snakes, and that shows the value of it in ecological terms," he said.
The group says it will keep protesting outside of the forest, week after week, until it is fully protected from development.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.