Court Update: Vic FAN v. Langford
by Vic FAN
Thanks to everybody who's come out this week to show their support! We
will keep going Thursday and Friday at room 402, 850 Burdett, Victoria.
10 am to 12:30 and 2 pm to 4 pm.
Lawyers for Forest Action
Network concluded their arguments today (Wed) in BC Supreme Court. Now
the lawyers for the city of Langford and the developers are having
their turn, and our lawyers will respond again on Friday. We watched
the videos of the two public hearings in court, and it seems like Madam
Justice Fenlon has a good sense of the players, their tactics, and what
is at stake.
We didn't expect to be in court all week - and
as a result, the developers' last-minute challenges and long arguments
over standing have wiped out our legal defense fund and the
last of our grant from West Coast Environmental Law. Bob Gill, the
lawyer for the developers, is a very sharp guy who is throwing every
possible objection at us to see what sticks.
Our lawyers, Irene
Faulkner and Robin Gage, are committed to winning this case, and they
seeing it through even though they have no guarantee of getting paid. (They are awesome!) We requested an emergency funding extension from WCEL, and we hope they will grant it in April.
In the meantime, we are pooling our funds from daffodil sales and small donations, and asking our friends and supporters to contribute to the legal trust fund. Please visit the PayPal link at www.forestaction.ca and help cover Irene and Robin's court fees and expenses (about $80 an hour.) Every little bit helps!
At
the request of the community, VIC FAN launched this petition for
judicial review last July after Langford residents were bullied and
intimidated at public hearings for the South Skirt Mountain
development We were disturbed to learn that reports on archeological
heritage, stormwater management, and traffic impacts, and more were not
released to the public. Is Langford violating the Local Government Act
and the public trust? We'll find out soon! Thank you for your support!
forestaction@gmail.com
www.forestaction.ca
zoeblunt.wordpress.com
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