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PRESS RELEASES
07/18/06: SETTLEMENTS REACHED REGARDING SACRED LANDS IN GUELPH
05/11/06: ENCOUNTERING THE DIVINE SPEAKER'S SERIES
04/13/06: JESUIT CENTRE DEFENDERS SEEK LEAVE TO APPEAL WAL-MART
03/15/06: MULTI-FAITH CHARTER CHALLENGE IN SUPERIOR COURT
02/09/06: MULTI-FAITH EFFORT TO PROTECT SACRED LANDS LAUNCHED
SETTLEMENTS REACHED REGARDING SACRED LANDS IN GUELPH
Multi-Faith Charter of Rights challenge and OMB appeal successfully resolved
GUELPH, ON, Canada, July 18, 2006—In February of 2006 a broad-based
Multi-Faith Initiative comprised of religious leaders and practitioners from
many different world religions, including Aboriginal, Anglican, Baptist,
Buddhist, Catholic, Daoist, Jesuit, Lutheran and United, was formed to
support a Charter application brought by Guelph resident William Hulet. The
application sought to quash a new by-law allowing commercial construction
near a world-renowned religious centre and two historic cemeteries. Today
the Multi-Faith Initiative announced that settlements have been reached with
the Corporation of the City of Guelph and 6&7 Developments Limited.
The settlements fully resolve the current Charter of Rights application
before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. They also resolve the appeal
by the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph to the Ontario Municipal Board
regarding a proposed "Phase 2" expansion at the same site.
The settlements feature a number of highlights, including further visual and
noise mitigation through the use of berms and extensive plantings and
landscape alterations. "Based on the best information available," states
Father James Profit the Centre's Spiritual Director, "it's our understanding
that these measures will result in a situation where the users of our Centre
will not be able to see any development or hear any additional noise that
might otherwise be generated by development at this location, now or in the
future. From our point of view this sends a clear indication of what we
believe to be the appropriate standard for development in this area."
6&7 Developments retained noted landscape architectural firm Terraplan to
advise on visual options. The latest proposal will result in significant
plantings along the boundary between the development and the Marymount
Cemetery/Jesuit lands, including numerous mature cedar trees and the
establishment of a "Living Wall," created from growing willows. As part of
the settlement, 6&7 also continued to work with acoustical engineers from
Valcoustics Canada. Measures that were put in place as a result of a
previous agreement (related to OMB proceedings in 2001), coupled with an
increase in the height of the original berm (which 6&7 was able to
accomplish once construction started) will ensure that noise levels
experienced by those using the Centre will not increase.
"These steps were not directed by the OMB—or by the courts—and everyone
sincerely appreciates that 6&7 has voluntarily agreed to assist with these
measures," said Eric Gillespie, legal counsel for Hulet. "The fact that
significant litigation around these issues has been avoided clearly benefits
all of the parties, and everyone involved in the settlement deserves to be
commended."
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre was established in 1913, and consists of 600
acres of farmland, gardens, wetland, woodlands and walking trails. In
addition to hosting the religious practices of individuals and groups from
Guelph and around the world, the centre houses internship programs, the
Jesuit Ecology Project, organic agriculture, an aboriginal sweat lodge
complex, several hermitages, and Loyola House, a world-renown retreat
centre.
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Contact:
Eric Gillespie
Legal Counsel for William Hulet
Cell: 905-932-7258
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MULTI-FAITH EFFORT TO PROTECT SACRED LANDS LAUNCHED IN GUELPH
Multi-faith Charter of Rights challenge seeks to prevent major commercial development near world-renowned religious centre and two historic cemeteries
GUELPH, ON, Canada, February 9, 2006—A broad multi-faith initiative is moving forward immediately seeking to quash a new by-law allowing major commercial construction near a world-renowned religious centre and two historic cemeteries. Members of many world religions, including Aboriginal, Anglican, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Daoist, Jesuit, Lutheran, and United have now gathered to protect this sacred land, with other faith representatives continuing to come forward. Following Section 273 of the Municipal Act, an application has been filed alleging that the by-law is illegal—in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—in that major commercial activity will directly and substantially interfere with the religious beliefs and practices of individuals of many faiths who use the Ignatius Jesuit Centre and adjoining lands.
Section 273(1) of the Municipal Act states that any person can apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to have a municipal by-law quashed for illegality. Bill Hulet, an initiated member of the Daoist tradition, has filed the application today. "This initiative carries a very strong, completely positive message about protecting deep personal and religious values," states Hulet. "The Ignatius centre is a meeting ground where many religions intersect with one another hundreds of times each year, and with nature—the Dao—itself."
In 1995, an application was made to the City of Guelph to change the zoning of the lands beside the religious centre and allow for major commercial construction. When this request was refused, the developer appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, resulting in legal proceedings that ended January 20, 2006. Hulet's application, in contrast, will focus directly on a wide variety of evidence and issues never considered in the last case. Witnesses will also not be bound by a previous agreement that limited evidence of physical impacts such as noise, light, and activity, which are significant sources of interference in religious practice in general—and of the outdoor activities in particular.
"This is a very different case, with a highly energized group of dedicated new participants resolved to ensure that the court makes a much more fully informed decision," emphasizes Eric Gillespie, legal counsel for the applicant. "Here we have a different party, with witnesses from many different faith traditions, a different court, a different legal test, and an opportunity for an entirely different outcome."
Although Section 273(5) of the Municipal Act states that applications to quash a by-law must be made within one year after the by-law is passed, Hulet's application has been filed just 20 days after the City's by-law came into effect.
The Ignatius Jesuit Centre was established in 1913, and consists of 600 acres of farmland, gardens, wetland, woodlands and walking trails. In addition to hosting the religious practices of individuals and groups from Guelph and around the world, the centre houses internship programs, the Jesuit Ecology Project, organic agriculture, an aboriginal sweat lodge complex, several hermitages, and Loyola House, a world-renown retreat centre.
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Contact:
Bill Hulet
Representative Applicant
bill.hulet@sympatico.ca
519-821-6958
Eric Gillespie
Legal Counsel
416-703-6362
Cell: 905-932-7258
ekg@cunningham-gillespie.com
Sam Turton
Director of Communications
sam@primalworks.com
519-763-5881
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MULTI-FAITH CHARTER CHALLENGE IN SUPERIOR COURT
Charter of Rights challenge to Guelph City by-law allowing commercial development near sacred lands seeks to limit developer intervention
GUELPH, ON, Canada, March 15, 2006—The first court appearance in a multi-faith Charter of Rights challenge will occur this Tuesday, March 21, in Guelph. The multi-faith initiative, brought by Daoist Bill Hulet against the City of Guelph, seeks to quash a new by-law allowing major commercial construction near a world-renowned religious centre and two historic cemeteries. The commercial developer, 6&7 Developments Ltd., will seek intervenor status. The court will be asked to determine what, if any, role economic interests play in matters of personal religious rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The multi-faith challenge includes affidavits sworn by many of Guelph's religious leaders and members of a wide variety of faiths and backgrounds, including Aboriginal, Anglican, Autistic, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Daoist, Hindu/Yogic, Lutheran, United, and Zen. Construction of the initial 155,000 sq. ft. development (which includes a Wal-Mart) is beginning near the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Marymount Cemetery, and Woodlawn Cemetery. Users of the Centre argue that the proposed commercial centre will substantially interfere with the religious beliefs and practices of individuals of many faiths who use the Ignatius Jesuit Centre and adjoining lands.
9:30 am, Tuesday, March 21
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
74 Woolwich St.
Guelph, Ontario
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WEB: www.ignatiusguelph.ca/multifaith/initiative.html
CONTACT:
Bill Hulet
Applicant
bill.hulet@sympatico.ca
519-821-6958
Eric Gillespie
Legal Counsel
416-703-6362
Cell: 905-932-7258
ekg@cunningham-gillespie.com
Sam Turton
Director of Communications
sam@primalworks.com
519-763-5881
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JESUIT CENTRE DEFENDERS SEEK LEAVE TO APPEAL WAL-MART INTERVENTION
Charter of Rights challenge to Guelph City by-law seeks leave to appeal precedent-setting corporate intervention
GUELPH, ON, Canada, April 13, 2006—A multi-faith initiative to protect sacred lands in Guelph from major commercial construction will seek leave to appeal a decision released April 5, allowing intervener status to the developer, 6&7 Developments Limited. As part of the grounds for granting leave, it will be argued that an intervention based solely and exclusively on economic and property rights and interests has the potential to affect Charter litigation all across Canada from this time forward.
"There appears to be no Charter case in Canadian law where intervener status has been granted to a party to allow it to protect or advance purely economic and/or property rights," said lawyer Eric Gillespie. "This question is a matter that the Divisional Court may wish to have the opportunity to consider."
The multi-faith initiative, brought by Daoist Bill Hulet against the City of Guelph, seeks to quash a new by-law allowing major commercial construction near Ignatius Jesuit Centre—a world-renowned religious centre—and two historic cemeteries. This challenge includes affidavits sworn by many of Guelph's religious leaders and members of a wide variety of faiths and backgrounds, including Aboriginal, Anglican, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Daoist, Hindu/Yogic, Lutheran, United, and Zen. The challenge claims that the proposed commercial centre will substantially interfere with the religious beliefs and practices of individuals of many faiths who use the Ignatius Jesuit Centre and adjoining lands.
Court dates will be set shortly.
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WEB: www.ignatiusguelph.ca/multifaith/initiative.html
CONTACT:
Bill Hulet
Applicant
bill.hulet@sympatico.ca
519-821-6958
Eric Gillespie
Legal Counsel
416-703-6362
Cell: 905-932-7258
ekg@cunningham-gillespie.com
Sam Turton
Director of Communications
sam@primalworks.com
519-763-5881
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ENCOUNTERING THE DIVINE SPEAKER'S SERIES
Spring speaker's series at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre provides window on spiritual practices
GUELPH, ON, Canada, May 11, 2006—An upcoming speaker's series at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre provides an opportunity for Guelphites to learn more about the spiritual practices hosted there.
Called Encountering the Divine, the Wednesday evening presentations begin May 17th at 7:30 p.m. and will run for four weeks until June 7th.
"The Ignatius Jesuit Centre is a world-renowned retreat centre", says organizer, Heather MacRae, "But it seems that many in Guelph have little idea about what goes on there. This will be a perfect opportunity for people to familiarize themselves with the Jesuit Centre, and the diversity of spiritual traditions supported by the facility."
Some evenings, presenters may be taking participants outside, so good walking shoes are recommended for enjoying the farm property and trails.
Molly Swan launches the series on May 17th with an introduction to Buddhist Meditation. She has been teaching Insight Meditation (Vipissana) since 1997 and offers classes, retreat days and a weekly meditation group here in Guelph.
On May 24th, Fr. Jim Profit will provide an introduction to Ignatian Contemplation. He is the director and superior of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. The Ignatian exercises are a form of prayer which is taught at the Loyola House Retreat Centre.
Bill Hulet (May 31st) will deliver a brief survey of the goals and practice of religious Taoism. Mr. Hulet is the applicant in the current Freedom of Religion Charter Challenge seeking to protect the Centre from adjacent commercial development.
Marianne Karsh (June 7) is the ecology education co-ordinator for the Ecology Project at Ignatius and director of Arborvitae. Weather permitting, she will be taking the group into the woods to experience Praying in the Forest.
A suggested donation of $10 per evening will go towards funding the Multi-faith challenge. Refreshments will be available.
For more information about the series, please contact Pat Dares at the Jesuit Centre: 519-824-1250 x 241
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Contact:
Heather MacRae
Series organizer
hmac999@yahoo.ca
519-763-8554
Fr. Jim Profit
Director, Ignatius Jesuit Centre
jwprofit@rogers.com
519-824-1250 x225
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