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PRESS CLIPPINGS
Wal-Mart facing multi-faith challenge
Argument against bylaw allowing commercial development near Jesuit Centre to be outlined today
DEIRDRE HEALEY
GUELPH (Feb 9, 2006)
The book on the battle against Wal-Mart has been re-opened.
A new "multi-faith legal challenge" against the planned commercial development at Woodlawn Road and Woolwich Street is set to be announced today.
"This new legal challenge is not connected to the legal challenge put forward by Residents for Sustainable Development," said Sam Turton, who helped organize the news conference scheduled for today at 1:30 p.m. at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
"It's not against anything, but is for the protection of sacred space."
A multi-faith challenge means the challenge is being brought forward by "many members of different faiths," Turton said.
Guelph resident Bill Hulet will be filing the application on behalf of everyone, he said.
The application will be challenging a new city bylaw that allows for commercial development to be built on the north-end property where a Wal-Mart is sited to go.
The bylaw became official Jan. 20 when an attempt by residents to appeal a 2004 Ontario Municipal Board decision approving the bylaw was denied.
Once the bylaw was official, Wal-Mart was given the green light.
As a result, preliminary work to prepare the site for construction was started last Friday and city staff have had several meetings with Wal-Mart representatives to discuss the site plan.
This new "multi-faith" challenge continues a decade-long battle against Wal-Mart Canada.
Eric Gillespie, who represented Residents for Sustainable Development during their legal actions against Wal-Mart, would not say much about today's announcement.
"All I can say is people have continued to consult with our office and I am sure they will be consulting with us in the future," he said.
Previously Gillespie has said there is one more avenue Wal-Mart opponents could take, which is arguing that building a Wal-Mart next to the Jesuit Centre is an infringement on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it impedes people's ability to practise religion.
This argument—based on the idea that people visiting the centre for spiritual retreat would be confronted with the consumer values they are trying to leave behind—could be brought forward by the centre or by an individual.
dhealey@guelphmercury.com
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