Law Society seeks further injunction against Metrolinx against Osgoode Hall tree cutting
Posted February 9, 2023 10:57 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2023 7:38 am.
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) is going back to court on Friday to try and stop Metrolinx from taking further action on the grounds of Osgoode Hall.
On Thursday, a hearing before the Ontario Superior Court began at 2 p.m. and concluded just before 5 p.m. All sides agreed to return for further arguments and presentations at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
“If Metrolinx proceeds with its plan to construct on the Osgoode Hall site, it will permanently and irreparably change the heritage attributes of a unique heritage site,” reads the LSO’s application before the court.
The LSO says Metrolinx was not transparent about its plans and repeatedly told the Law Society that it would consider other sites.
The LSO claims that without the court’s intervention, it will suffer “irreparable harm.”
“There is unchallenged expert evidence that should Metrolinx proceed with its plan, it will fundamentally alter the heritage character of the entire Osgoode Hall site.”
The LSO was granted an interim injunction restraining Metrolinx from cutting down a dozen centuries old trees at Osgoode Hall until midnight Feb. 10, 2023.
The provincial transit agency says the removal of the trees is necessary as part of construction for the new Ontario Line.
Metrolinx claims the space around Osgoode Hall would be used to build a station entrance at the northeast corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West, where the mature trees currently fill the space. The grounds and the heritage fencing currently there date back to the time of Confederation in 1867.
Metrolinx said the decision to remove the trees was made after multiple other options were explored, adding a recent independent analysis commissioned by the City of Toronto supports their decision. It says the southwest section of the Osgoode Hall grounds is the only space able to accommodate the “keyhole” – a construction shaft – which is needed for future excavation and construction.
Metrolinx adds it is working to protect as many mature trees as possible and has plans for beautifying and restoring the space after construction with new vegetation and landscaping.
Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday that the province would plant ’10-fold’ the number of trees cut down by Metrolinx to accommodate the new Ontario Line.
“It’s all part of infrastructure,” said Ford. “No matter where you go in the city at one time or another to build infrastructure a tree may come down, but again we’ll plant many, many more for years to come.”
