competition to revitalize Lansdowne Park – like the one Council interrupted" and "a sustainable design." The group has approximately 50 volunteers, and support across Ottawa, according to Doug Ward. A court challenge was launched by Gary Sealey, Doug Ward, and the "Friends of Lansdowne" in September 2010, seeking to overturn the partnership plan on the grounds that city rules were not followed in the sole-source process. According to the City of Ottawa, the legality of the process was reviewed by third-party lawyers before the June 28 Council meeting. The group hired Steven Shrybman, a partner at Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP. Doug Ward described the hiring of Shrybman: "That's why there has been a large fundraising campaign ... because we wanted to get the best. And we have the best." In motions to the court, the group has requested copies of all City files related to the case and that in the event that the suit loses, the group will not have to pay the City and OSEG's legal costs. The challenge went to trial on June 21, 2011. The judge rendered a verdict rejecting the challenge on all counts on July 28, 2011. The group announced on August 17, 2011, that they would file an appeal to the court "that the Superior Court allowed Ottawa's City Council far too much latitude in regard to restrictions set out in provincial law concerning competitive procurement, the use of tax dollars to assist commercial entities and the requirement that it put the public interest first." The Court ruled on April 30, 2012 to dismiss the Friends' appeal. The Court ruled the Superior Court interpreted the Municipal Act correctly, that no illegal bonus or procurement was conferred, the City of Ottawa did not contravene its own practices and the implementing by-law was passed in good faith. The Appeals Court noted that by-laws cannot be overturned on their "reasonableness or unreasonableness" but their legality under the Act. References Notes Bibliography External links Lansdowne Park City of Ottawa Building New Lansdowne Friends of Lansdowne Park 2000s in Ottawa 2010s in Ottawa Buildings and structures in Ottawa Redevelopment projects in Canada