Where’s the province? Gerrard asks Group fights to purchase and preserve a section of the Seine River Forest to save from development By Brenda Fehr Lance December 10, 2003
	David Venema (left), David Danyluk, Bev Sawchuk and Jonathon Sopotiuk from the Save our Seine River Environment Inc. group are among those working to preserve a section of the Seine River Forest known as Bois-des-esprits. With a looming fundraising deadline, why hasn’t the province committed funds to help purchase and protect a treasured section of the Seine River Forest from development? That’s what Liberal leader Jon Gerrard and other supporters of the forest preservation effort want to know. The City of Winnipeg has committed $1 million and up to an additional $600,000 to match funds raised by the Save our Seine River Environment Inc. group to purchase and preserve a section of the Seine River Forest, known as Bois des esprits, in south Winnipeg. If the money isn’t raised, the section of forest will be open to development. The land is owned partially by the province and partially by a developer. Gerrard, who raised the issue in the legislature recently, said the community, the Save our Seine group and the City of Winnipeg have all stepped forward with funds. Deadline looms Now with a Dec. 31 fundraising deadline just weeks away, it’s the province’s turn, he said in a recent interview. Although Gerrard does not represent the area in which the Bois-des-esprit is located, he said he feels so strongly about it being preserved that he has to say something. “There’s just no excuse for the province not to come to the table.” In a recent interview, Riel MLA Christine Melnick said the issue is currently being examined and she is optimistic that a positive resolution will be reached. However Melnick would not say if the province will commit funds to the effort or when an announcement will be made. Save our Seine president Bev Sawchuk has said discussions with provincial politicians have been positive and she is hopeful some kind of funding announcement will soon be made by the province. Save our Seine co-ordinator David Danyluk said the time for an announcement is now, especially since the Dec. 31 deadline is looming. Devastating “It’s no longer months,” he said. It’s hours and days.” Danyluk said the City of Winnipeg has been a big supporter of preserving the forest. Mayor Glen Murray is among the effort’s supporters and has referred to the idea as a “bold, visionary park.” Danyluk said the city has “stood on its head” to help SOS. He said it will be devastating to SOS members if the province does not come forward with funds and enough money isn’t raised in time to preserve the forest. Dakota Collegiate student Jonathon Sopotiuk, who is also a supporter of the Save our Seine group’s efforts, said it’s important to see the forest preserved. Sopotiuk feels so strongly about the preservation effort that he brought displays about the project to his school, as well as to Glenlawn Collegiate. He helped collect postcards that were sent to Premier Gary Doer encouraging the province to support the preservation effort. He said the Bois-des-esprits forest is something special that should be preserved for generations to come. “It’s such a big expanse of forest,” he said. “It’s not too often we find places this big and untouched. I hope the province does step up and take a position.”