Metrolinx begins to clear trees at Osgoode Hall, agrees to 'pause work' ahead of hearing on their removal
A spokesperson for the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) says Metrolinx began cutting down historic trees at Osgoode Hall in Toronto on Saturday before the Ontario Superior Court could hear an injunction to prevent their clearing.
“Metrolinx began clearing trees on the grounds of Osgoode Hall this morning in advance of the proceedings,” Wynna Brown said in an email.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A hearing on the injunction to stop the action by the Crown agency began at 2 p.m.
News of Friday’s injunction application came after reports surfaced that Metrolinx could begin cutting down the five trees, which are believed to be hundreds of years old, as early as this weekend to make way for the future site of an Ontario Line subway station.
According to city councillor Josh Matlow, who was at Osgoode Hall Saturday morning, Metrolinx agreed to halt the removal of the trees following pressure from protesters at the location until a decision on the injunction had been made.
“A victory in the midst of a long fight,” Matlow said in a tweet.
In an email to CP24, Metrolinx confirmed that they agreed to "temporarily pause" the work pending the results of the hearing.
"Following the hearing, we look forward to proceeding to get this critical transit line built," Metrolinx said.
Video from the site showed contractors chopping off some of the trees’ limbs Saturday morning. Matlow told CP24 that work began as early as 8 a.m.
Liz Driver is the director of nearby Campbell House and interim chair of the Build Ontario Line Differently (BOLD) Community Coalition.
She said the recent action taken by Metrolinx is “shameful” and demonstrates the “irreversible damage” that is to come if they follow through with their plans.
“Showing up with chainsaws when they knew that the court would be convening. They (Metrolinx) think they’re above the law and they’re a provincial agency. It’s is shameful,” she said.
Driver said she hopes the Ontario Superior Court will grant the injunction to pause the work at Osgoode and that stakeholders will further discuss a third-party review, commissioned by the city, that looks at other possible station locations.
“We all want good transit, but we want to build good transit and not damage our city in the process,” Driver added.
This isn’t the first time the trees at the site of Ontario’s highest courts have been threatened. They were originally slated to be chopped down on Dec. 5 of 2022 for an archeological assessment of the property.
The Law Society of Ontario announced in November that the work had been postponed due to public pushback, which they described at the time as a “temporary reprieve.”
The 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line, which will have 15 stops, is set to run from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre following its completion in 2031.
Nine other areas in the area of Osgoode Hall were assessed for potential locations of the future Osgoode Station.
However, Parsons Corporation, a U.S.-based infrastructure engineering firm contracted to carry out the assessment, found that Osgoode Hall appeared to be “the most suitable option.”
With files from CP24's Bryann Aguilar and Chris Fox
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.