A local farmer says a proposed large-scale development in the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul could jeopardize his family’s operation and accelerate the loss of agricultural land in the area.
Graham Hnatiuk, a grower with Hnatiuk Gardens, said the plan to convert hundreds of acres of farmland for residential use has raised “extreme concern” for his family and others in the agricultural community.
“As a young farmer, I may be forced to cease my operations,” Hnatiuk said in an interview, noting the proposed development would extend to within a few hundred metres of his multigenerational farm.
Hnatiuk’s family operates a community-supported agriculture program and sells produce at local farmers’ markets, serving more than 500 families and employing several workers.
He said the expansion of suburban development into farmland threatens not only his business, but the long-term viability of agriculture in the municipality.
“I don’t farm here because I want to be next to a parking lot,” he said. “In an area that is historically a farming community, I expected agricultural land would remain agricultural land.”
The proposal, which has drawn opposition from residents, would add to land already designated for development, raising concerns about the cumulative impact on farmland.
The Fahr Land subdivision, put forward by Waterside Development Corporation, envisions a phased residential development across hundreds of acres, including parks, open space and a mix of potential community uses such as housing, schools, daycares and places of worship.
The proposal is tied to Development Plan Amendment 293-25, which seeks to redesignate approximately 408 acres of land along Mowat Road from agricultural use to “Settlement Centre” a classification in the Red River Planning District’s development plan intended to support a range of urban, semi-urban and suburban uses.
While the land is identified for potential growth in long-term planning documents, it is currently zoned as Development Reserve, meaning additional approvals would be required before construction could begin.
According to information shared at a public open house in February, the developer’s team is working with the RM of East St. Paul and the Red River Planning District to address servicing, drainage, traffic, environmental and infrastructure requirements. Any future development would need to meet federal, provincial and municipal regulations.
Municipal planning documents indicate the proposal is part of a broader, phased growth framework tied to the availability of water and wastewater infrastructure, with some designated lands still constrained by servicing limitations.
Hnatiuk argued that once agricultural land is redesignated, it becomes difficult to protect what remains.
“There’s almost nothing left,” he said. “The land that we currently rent and grow on, what’s that in the future? It’ll get swallowed up too.”
He also raised concerns about the consultation process, saying residents were not given enough time or information to respond meaningfully.
“I was overseas studying when I heard about this, maybe a week before the hearing date,” he said. “This plan would nearly double the size of East St. Paul, and the notification was a small sign in the ditch in the middle of January.”
He pointed to existing planning policies that prioritize protecting agricultural land, including provisions in the Red River Planning District development plan and provincial regulations that direct urban expansion away from prime farmland.
He is also calling for broader measures, such as establishing a greenbelt around Winnipeg and investing in local food systems to improve resilience and food security.
“We could have a thriving local food economy,” he said. “Instead, we’re paving over land that feeds people.”
Some residents say the issue also speaks to broader concerns about preserving the rural character of the municipality.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the appeal of East St. Paul has long been its low-density, rural lifestyle.
“I’m most concerned about this proposed development because my husband and I looked for seven years to move out of Winnipeg and the city life,” the resident said. “We moved to East St. Paul because it is rural living.”
The resident added that while many in the community are not opposed to growth, they want development to reflect the area’s existing character.
“I don’t think residents are opposed to development, but we want to keep it rural, meaning larger lots and layouts,” the resident said. “If people wanted high-density developments, they would be moving back into or staying in the city.”
Local resident Brian Wachko also raised concerns about transparency in the public consultation process surrounding the proposed subdivision.
“There is a perception in the community that this process is being rushed … to lock in major land use changes before a potential change in council,” he said, adding that such perceptions can erode public trust.
Even if all regulatory requirements have been met, Wachko said limited engagement and a compressed timeline have undermined confidence in the process.
“At minimum, residents deserve full disclosure, meaningful consultation, and a process they can trust.”
Despite the criticism, Wachko said opposition is not about halting development, but ensuring it is carried out responsibly and with meaningful public input.
“Residents are not trying to obstruct progress, they are trying to understand it and have a voice in decisions that will directly impact their community.”
The RM of East St. Paul and the Red River Planning District were not immediately available for comment.
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Apr 19, 2026 at 19:25
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