Judicial review underway over Calgary’s citywide rezoning bylaw [Video]

Lawyers arguing against Calgary’s controversial citywide rezoning changes say the bylaw should be overturned due to a lack of procedural fairness and impartiality in the decision to approve it earlier this year.

A judicial review started Wednesday morning in front of a jam-packed courtroom and included hours of arguments both for and against the bylaw, which was passed by council in a 9-6 vote in May.

Legal action was launched months ago on behalf of hundreds of Calgarians who are against rezoning.

Justice Michael Lema, who is based in Edmonton and was brought in to oversee the judicial hearing.

Richard Harrison, who is one of the lawyers representing the applicants against the bylaw, said there are three issues with the bylaw and how the decision was arrived at after a lengthy public hearing:

• A lack of procedural fairness in allowing all voices to be properly heard;
• A failure to be …