For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friends of Lansdowne Appeals Superior Court Decision
Friends of Lansdowne is appealing the decision of the Superior Court dismissing its application to set aside the City’s of Ottawa’s redevelopment plan for Lansdowne Park. Its Notice of Appeal was served today on the City of Ottawa and OSEG, the City's partner in the redevelopment scheme.
That Notice asserts that in dismissing the group’s application, Justice Hackland of the Superior Court made a number of errors of fact and law, which it will ask the Court of Appeal to correct by setting aside the City’s decision of June 2010.
The group’s legal arguments will be set out in more detail in a Factum which will be filed in the next month. The group contends that in approving the Lansdowne Plan, City Council ignored the requirements of the Municipal Act that it adopt and maintain transparent procurement rules, that it act in the public interest, and that it not provide financial assistance to private developers.
Friends of Lansdowne Vice-President Gordon Henderson says that there are important principles at stake in the case for the residents of Ottawa and other municipalities as well. “Some of the issues we are raising have never been considered by the Court of Appeal before; this case will determine whether City Councils in Ontario have virtual carte blanche to make “policy” decisions that contradict provincial statutes.”
Henderson, who lives in Kanata, goes on to say that the group has received a great deal of encouragement and support since it announced its intention to appeal, from individuals across the City: “What is really encouraging”, he goes on to say is that “1/3 of the donors are people who’ve never supported Friends of Lansdowne before.”
The group expects that the appeal will be heard later this year or early next. “The sooner the case is heard the better” says Henderson “there are important principles on the line—not to mention $400 million of taxpayers’ money.”
The notice of appeal is posted at here at www.letsgetitright.ca.
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Contacts:
Gordon Henderson 613-769-8828
Steven Shrybman 613-858-6842
