WINNIPEG — Protesters braved the icy cold conditions Wednesday evening as they tried to protect a large green space in the city.
Dozens gathered on Pembina Highway in front of the Holiday Inn Hotel, where an open house on development plans was taking place.
“We want to see this land returned to the city and the people be able to enjoy it like we always have,” Lisa Weldner said.
The demonstration was against residential development plans on part of the Parker wetlands, an area they say is ecologically unique.
“It’s just a little piece of wilderness in the city,” Weldner said.
Part of this area has also been expropriated from the developer for the construction of the transit corridor. The open house shared their plans and how it would affect the surrounding environment.
“If you want to grow as a city you have to have rapid transit, and if you want to grow as a city you have to have denser population,” one resident said.
The city said the plans are in the early stages and still have to be approved by council. Councillor John Orlikow believes there can be a balance between maintaining some urban green space while growing our city.
“We want to be able to build up obviously, but as people build up and start going into these urban centres more, we want to be able to ensure they can also connect with nature,” Orlikow said.
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