REGINA — Ducks Unlimited Canada and members of the McKell family are suing the City of Regina, alleging its work on a proposed Wascana Parkway extension violates protections for the McKell Wascana Conservation Park.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the McKell family filed a statement of claim against the City of Regina on Aug. 18, alleging the proposed extension would breach a conservation easement, according to a document obtained by SaskToday.
“With the study advancing, we’ve had no choice but to take meaningful action to protect our conservation commitments and funding obligations,” DUC said in a statement in response to SaskToday's request for comments.
In recent years, the city has been exploring ways to alleviate congestion along Arcola Avenue. Extending Wascana Parkway to Prince of Wales Drive was identified as one option in a corridor study. The city also recently conducted a survey to gather feedback on potential routes, impacts and cost estimates.
DUC is standing firm on the importance of protecting the conservation park from the extension’s potential impact.
“This park welcomes thousands of visitors every year. It is an outdoor classroom, a place where families connect with nature, where children learn about wetlands and wildlife, and where migratory birds find critical habitat. It is a treasured part of the community and represents a rare stretch of native prairie in the Regina Plains.”
In the statement of claim, DUC and the McKell family allege the conservation easement prevents most forms of development from occurring on the property.
The parties also claim that a 2012 planning report found the McKell Wascana Conservation Park was located along the potential route of any southbound extension of Prince of Wales Drive.
The 2022 corridor study identified other options to relieve congestion along Arcola Avenue, including widening the road to six lanes from Ring Road to Woodland Grove Drive.
SaskToday reached out to the City of Regina for comment on the legal matter, but the city said it would not comment on the situation.
Meanwhile, DUC said it remains hopeful the matter can be resolved with the city.
“We are still hopeful that a resolution will be found that avoids the degradation of these protected lands.”
The city has 20 days remaining before the 30-day deadline to file a statement of defence or request an extension.
