Dear SLPF supporters,

Thanks to your voices, dedication, and unwavering support, Lemoine Point Farm will be purchased by the City – an important step in protecting it from imminent private development. We applaud the City for its persistence in negotiating the purchase of the Farm and for investing in one of the few remaining natural spaces within the urban boundary.  This represents meaningful progress toward preserving this special place on Lake Ontario.

At the same time, important work remains to ensure its long-term protection, thoughtful stewardship, and responsible management for generations to come. Here is what we understand so far:

1. The City will purchase the farm for $12 million
Following mediation led by former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell, the Estate Trustees and the City of Kingston reached a settlement for the City to purchase Lemoine Point Farm for $12 million plus closing costs. The Ontario Superior Court has approved the settlement, confirming that the Estate Trustees have the legal authority to proceed with the sale.

The formal purchase agreement was confirmed in Superior Court this morning, and the transaction is anticipated to close within the next weeks. An information report to the City of Kingston council is scheduled for March 24th. Follow this link to read the announcement made by the City today:
City of Kingston Purchases Lemoine Point Farm

2. Need for permanent protection measures
Mary Fraser’s will includes “binding covenants” (conditions) intended to protect the Farm if the City bought it:

• The Farm had to remain intact – the City couldn’t buy part of it. 
• The buildings (houses and barn) had to be maintained. 
• The City was not allowed to apply to rezone the property, so it would remain rural “as far as possible.”

However, based on the settlement documents reviewed so far, it seems that although the binding covenants affected the sale price, there may be no legal restrictions on the City once it owns the Farm.
Once the City owns the property, a future Council (and there is a municipal election this October) could rezone it or sell the land or parts of the land.

3. Community and Municipal support for permanent protection of Lemoine Point Farm
During the 2022 municipal election, most candidates who were elected to Council indicated to the Save Lemoine Point Farm group that they supported protecting the Farm’s fields, forests, and shoreline for future generations.  Residents, community groups, and public figures also expressed clear interest in protecting the property and not losing it to private development.

Despite the extremely encouraging development of the current city council purchasing the Farm, we all must remain engaged to advocate for permanent protection measures for the property, and to ensure that future city councils remember the strong community-wide support for preserving the Farm as a natural and agricultural landscape.

4. What happens next
The Save Lemoine Point Farm group will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for the permanent protection of the Farm, in accordance with Mary Fraser’s wishes and the strong support expressed by the community. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. Please watch for future newsletters with important updates and opportunities for engagement and action.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to protecting this ecological, cultural, and agricultural jewel for current and future generations.