Welcome to the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest
Latest News
March 3, 2025
Upcoming Events
Join us for the following events:
Save Lemay Forest Townhall
There’s so much more to the Lemay Forest than grand old trees! Although they’re incredible too!
Come to an informational town hall meeting at EG Hall in the University of Winnipeg on March 15, 2025.
Awasak ayahsig sakahk is the name given to our work on this area by a Cree lodge keeper and it means Children of the Forest. Learn how this forest is viewed by Métis neighbours and why there’s an Indigenous ceremonial fire.
Hear about provincial Heritage Site designation, municipal path to turn the Lemay Forest into a park and the federal funding available to make this happen.
This event is brought to you by the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest and the Wilderness Committee. Please join us to learn about the cultural and environmental significance of the Lemay Forest, and protect the old-trees and endangered species that call it home.
Rally to Save Lemay Forest
Awasaka Ayahsig Sakahk: Children of the Forest
The trees remember. The earth remembers.
Join us on Saturday March 22, 2025 at 2pm for a walk to Save Lemay Forest.
We are starting at the Canadian Musuem for Human Rights and ending at the Louis Riel Statue at the Legislative grounds.
February 14, 2025
How to Help
The Wilderness Committee has launched a fundraiser to Protect Lemay Forest.
Wilderness Committee Federal charitable registration # 11929-3009-RR0001
February 13, 2025
Municipal Board Hearing
February 11-13
The Municipal Board hearing has completed and they have 60 days to make a decision. If you submitted comments or a written document, you will receive the board’s decision by mail. Thank you to everyone who participated in person, in writing, or standing with us from near and far!
January 9, 2025
We urgently need your help to raise awareness!
Click here to view contact lists and sample letters.
Photo courtesy of a Coalition Member
December 14, 2024
February 4, 2025
February 4, 2025, Saint-Boniface, Manitoba — The Saint-Boniface Historical Society (SHSB) sheds light on the forgotten history of the Ritchot Asylum cemetery through its rich archives. Its goal is to better understand this site and its heritage significance. This approach is set against a backdrop of tensions between the citizens of Saint-Norbert and the current owner of the Lemay Forest land, where this historic cemetery is located.
The Asile Ritchot, which operated at the turn of the 20th century, was a Catholic institution that played a central role in sheltering individuals without proper supports, including orphans, single expectant girls and women, and single mothers. Like many similar institutions of the time, it operated with limited resources and staff, and its funding was insufficient. This resulted in unsanitary conditions as underlying factors for the spread of disease, causing significant challenges in delivering care and services.
The Role of the SHSB
The SHSB is dedicated to preserving and promoting Manitoba’s Francophone and Métis heritage. As part of this role, the SHSB is reviewing historical documents to better understand the history of Asile Ritchot and the nearby Lemay Forest. The latter site contains numerous vestiges of the area’s Catholic built heritage, created by French-speaking religious communities and their supporters.
Considerations
- Available records indicate the presence of a cemetery, though archival records do not clearly establish its precise scope across time and space, or burial practices used.
- Two burial records indicate that 726 children aged one and under were laid to rest between 1907 and 1912 in the “Cimetière des Sœurs de la Miséricorde à St-Norbert,” also known as the cemetery of Asile Ritchot.
- A preliminary quantitative analysis of admission registers undertaken reported a total of 3,383 deaths associated with the institution. However, the location of burials was generally not recorded on these primary sources.
- Primary sources do not consistently indicate the ethnic origins of the children who lived in Asile Ritchot. Nonetheless, a preliminary analysis of existing sources suggests that most of these children were of French-Canadian or European descent. Of the 3,383 deaths reported, 31 children were identified as Métis. A total of 225 Métis children attended the institution.
- Data analysis is underway, and these preliminary quantitative findings must be completely verified for their accuracy.
- Winnipeg has historical precedents of loss of heritage sites and cemeteries by repurposing them for modern developments, including part of the St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery.
- The SHSB is not an expert on cemetery law and cannot comment on the legality of the proposed development on this site. However, the SHSB believes that additional analysis is necessary.
“As stewards of a significant part of our historical heritage, our role is to provide facts and historical context. The research on the Asile Ritchot sheds light on the realities of the time and highlights important historical challenges. We believe a rigorous and informed approach is essential in this matter.”
—Émilie Pigeon, Executive Director, St. Boniface Historical Society
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For media inquiries or interview requests:
Émilie Pigeon
Executive director
direction@shsb.mb.ca
(204)-233-4888 extension 277
St. Boniface Historical Society
February 6, 2025
Leaning into the Lemay Forest Fight
January 8, 2025
Wilderness Committee files harassment complaint over Lemay Forest
Winnipeg forest razed despite federal species protection laws
Lemay Forest chainsawed without required pileated woodpecker survey
WINNIPEG / TREATY 1 TERRITORY AND HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS NATION — Trees are being cut down in the Lemay Forest in southern Winnipeg this morning in disregard of the federal migratory bird protection laws and guidelines. Owner Mazyar Yahyapour and developer John Wintrup authorized the cutting on property that has been proposed for a new protected area in the St. Norbert region of Winnipeg. Court affidavits released yesterday afternoon show that the developer ignored a request from the federal Canadian Wildlife Services for a search of the property for woodpecker nest cavities before any tree cutting.
“It’s outrageous and unacceptable for the developer and owner to ignore federal nature protection laws and guidelines and then try and use the law to go after concerned citizens trying to preserve the forest,” said Eric Reder. “This seems like a pure villain story.”
The City of Winnipeg issued the permits for the cutting, but the requirements for a survey of pileated woodpecker cavities have not been met. The Wilderness Committee is calling on the City of Winnipeg to rescind these permits, which, in our opinion, do not adhere to federal law.
“The law on cavity protection for pileated woodpeckers is very clear, and court documents filed by the owner and developer show they were made aware of the law. Profiteering developers cannot be above the law,” Reder said.
The property in question has been proposed as an addition to the city park system, but a generous offer to purchase the property for the purpose of conservation was rejected by the developer. The owner’s plans to develop a private health care facility on the property have already been rejected by the city. The current tree cutting serves no development purpose, and will only reduce the value of property and the amount of money the owner may get when it is eventually turned into parkland.
“If your development plan was rejected, but you still go to court for the right to cut down trees you may be acting in bad faith,” said Reder.
The Wilderness Committee is calling on four levels of government to bring an end to the destruction of this forest and add this to our protected areas as soon as possible.
“The City of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba and the federal government have all formally signed on to international goals for preserving biodiversity. We’re required to protect 30 per cent of the lands and waters by 2030. Now is the time to act,” said Reder.
For more information, please contact:
Eric Reder | Wilderness and Water Campaigner
204-997-8584, eric@wildernesscommittee.org
Background Information:
Link to affidavit which includes email from Riley Black of the federal government asking for a sweep of the forest ahead of tree cutting and a response email that doesn’t indicate a sweep was conducted (pp. 170-172).
Migratory Bird Regulations
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-h…
According to the newest regulations introduced in July 2022, a pileated woodpecker cavity must be left alone for 36 months after discovery to prove it is unoccupied. It is the most stringent protection.
An open letter to the owner of the 22.5 acre Lemay Forest and 823 Lemay Ave:
18 May 2024
Dear Mr. Mazyar Yahyapour,
As the registered owner of the 22.5-acre property known as Lemay Forest, as well as the home located at 823 Lemay, you are our neighbour and a member of the St. Norbert community, even if in absentia. St. Norbert residents and community have a long and storied history, one that is characterized by tolerance, diversity, and collaboration. Over the course of a year, thousands come from a distance to visit St. Norbert and enjoy the many natural and cultural features of this neighbourhood. Those of us who live here – some for generations – value these treasures as much as we value our neighbours, and we work hard to overcome adversity and differences by respectful dialogue and understanding.
We believe it is reasonable to ask our neighbours and their agents to make an effort to align their actions with that approach. To that end, we would like to take this opportunity to help you understand what you have bought into by acquiring property in our midst. At the same time we understand that the property has not turned out to be the investment you had hoped for. This could lead to feelings of disappointment, a sense of betrayal, even anger over this outcome. We commiserate in this presumed response, and would be delighted to make a more personal acquaintance to ease that impact.
Based on your authorized communication in October 2023 expressing your openness to another entity acquiring the land known as Lemay Forest, St. Norbert residents and allies have lobbied diligently with municipal, provincial and federal governments to purchase the property in question. As a result, as of March 2024 sufficient funds have been secured and you are in receipt of an offer to purchase the land known as Lemay Forest. This offer is based on a credible, 2024 appraisal of the land’s valuation. We are disappointed that you have not accepted this offer to purchase. You still have the opportunity, albeit not indefinitely, to act on this credible option to part with the property. Doing so would allow you to move on to new and hopefully more viable investments. To reiterate: there is a willing buyer with the funds and the authority to acquire the land at fair market value. This willing buyer has secured funding from all three levels of government. These are public funds, and our leaders release them in trust that they will go toward the betterment of all society, such as full public access to Lemay Forest and the preservation of its historic and cultural components. The offer that was extended to you in March 2024 is our money, deemed worthy of this purchase. It is our hope that you will respectfully consider that offer for future generations, biodiversity, climate resiliency, healing for people and planet and reconciliation.
We would be happy to meet with you at any time and welcome you as a member of the St. Norbert community.
The Coalition to Save Lemay Forest
The appeal to demolish the dwelling on 823 Lemay Ave was heard by the Riel Community Committee on May 3rd, 2024 and the decision to deny the demolition application was upheld!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak in delegation as well as submit their written comments. We had 52 written submissions – a new record for our group!
Did you know that even though John Wintrup has been the spokesperson for the Lemay Forest land, that he doesn’t actually own it?
The owner of the land is MEMAZ INC.
The director of this company is Mazyar Yahyapour.
Learn more about the owner here.
Tochal Developments Group Inc. hosted an open house at the St. Norbert Community Centre on January 6th, 2024.
View the presentation here.
View the original invitation here.
As of December 1 2023, no trespassing signs have been erected at two main entrances to the forest.
What is Lemay Forest?
Lemay Forest is one of the last intact riverbottom forests in the City of Winnipeg. It is a large A-B classification forest and greenfield situated on the banks of the Red River in the historic neighbourhood of St. Norbert.It is surrounded by additional contiguous riparian forest, and the St. Norbert dike system.
This land is also situated on river lots 84 and 85 – two of the last intact river lots in the city, existing largely in the state they did when they were surveyed when the province of Manitoba was created.
The Lemay Forest is a riparian (riverbottom) forest, home to many mature tree species including maple, green ash, elm, cottonwood, and basswood.
It is a nesting place for migratory birds, song birds, birds of prey, and the keystone species pileated woodpecker. It is also a wildlife corridor providing habitat and safe access for many wildlife species, reptiles and amphibians.
Watch our welcome to Lemay Forest video for a summary of what Lemay Forest is and why it’s important to the City of Winnipeg and its residents:
We acknowledge that the Lemay Forest and greenfield land where we seek refuge, photograph its creatures and benefit from is situated on Treaty 1 Territory, the lands stolen from the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Denesuline Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge the harms of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous peoples in reconciliation and collaboration.