Vast Reserves in Ottawa: The Downside of a Millionaire Brawl

A recent ruling lifts the curtain on a fierce legal battle between two powerful business groups for control of a nature reserve in Quebec that is considered one of the largest and most pristine reserves in North America.

A decision by Supreme Court Justice Thomas M. Davis in May highlighted the behind-the-scenes clash over the future of the Kinnock Reserve in Ottaway.

The judge refused to allow a group of wealthy businessmen to seek compensation after they fled the sale of the prestigious property in 2013. Journalismthe group led by Bic Pencil heir Charles Bich, is claiming $13 million.

It all started when a group of investors led by Quebec Patrick Pechet, the former number two at Google, got their hands on the reserve for $43.7 million.

Beechette wanted to avoid at all costs tarnishing the projected real estate development of Papineau Lake, where he already owned a residence.

For his part, Charles Beach wanted to acquire Kenauk with others in order, in particular, to expand the private fishing property he owned with André Desmarais in the Strip.

Bich believes that his group and the Pichette group have agreed to exclusive negotiations for the joint acquisition of the coveted land. However, Beshet preferred to join other partners.

No exclusivity

Bich and Picchio International (a family holding company of Dr. Francesco Bellini, co-founder of Biochem Pharma) began legal action in 2015. They believed they had been misled by another group of businessmen.

According to the allegations filed by the prosecution in court, Beechette and his associates acted in bad faith and acted duplicitously in connection with the transaction.

“The Court concluded that there was no exclusive agreement to make a joint bid regarding Kinnock,” but Judge Davis is adamant.

Meet in Henan

In judgment, we learned that in August 2013, the two groups of potential investors met at the Heenan Blaikie offices downtown. And it was Roy Henin himself, one of the founders of the now-closed company, who chaired the meeting.

Patrick Bechet and his associates defended themselves by saying that these are only initial discussions, with no formal commitment. Since the two groups did not have the same vision for Kinnock, Petchett went looking for other partners.

The fact that two of Bich’s associates, André Desmarais and Dr. Bellini, who were named witnesses at the trial in 2018, were not ultimately called to the podium, hurt the prosecution’s case, Judge Davis says.

“Their absence is intriguing,” the judge commented, “because the two were necessary for Bich’s group to complete the deal.”

As there were no witnesses to substantiate the main elements of the lawsuit, the judge deemed the actions brought by Bich’s group abusive and opened the door for Bich to be able to assert his rights in relation to this decision.

Kinnock Reserve

Covering 65,000 acres, Kenauk has been described as one of the largest and most secure private land groups in Canada and North America.

Kinnock Preserve includes 70 private lakes and is home to a gated community (gated community) with 13 luxury chalets and a private marina.

‘A pristine river flows for fifteen kilometers from picturesque Papineau Lake to the Ottawa River. Add to that 102 kilometer waterfront offering unrivaled views of Papineau Lake, hundreds of kilometers of existing roads, diversity and abundance of wildlife and wildlife and the possibilities are endless. Her”, described a handbook for mediators in 2013.

from direction

Patrick Beckett

Former Chief Financial Officer of Google. Google owned $87 million ($113 million) worth of stock, in 2015, according to The New York Times. He already owned a home in Lac Papineau and wanted to acquire Kenauk to keep the area’s low population density. Restricted tourism exploitation is part of its vision.

Doug Harper

The president of Les Viandes de la Petite-Nation, he owns a deer farm northeast of Kenauk, Harpur Farms. Cases of mad deer disease were reported there in 2018.

Domenico Monaco

A Montreal businessman, his family has owned a home in Kinnock since the 1970s.

Michael M. Wilson

Chairman and former CEO of the fertilizer producer Agrium. In 2013, he was the third-highest-paid CEO in the country, earning $23.8 million in annual compensation, according to the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives. Interested in acquiring conservation land in Canada, he looked at Lake Mills and Baie Noire.

from the last

Charles Beech

Lives in upstate New York. His family is the controlling shareholder of the famous Bic Group (shavers, pens and lighters in particular). The Beach family’s fortune was estimated last year at 1.3 billion euros ($1.74 billion), according to Challenges magazine. Mr. Bich has an interest with André Desmarais in the North Kenauk region. He saw the potential for real estate development around Lake Papineau.

Andre Desmaris

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Power Corporation. The Desmarais family’s fortune was estimated at $5.81 billion in 2021, according to the Hardbacon website. Mr. Desmarais owns a farm where he raises red deer and elk north of Kinnock. He owns a factory, Domaine faunique des Laurentides, where he fishes. The acquisition of Kenauk would have allowed an expansion of the estate’s hunting ground, according to the ruling.

Dr. Francisco Bellini

Founder of Biochem Pharma, it was sold to British Shire in 2000 for a gain of $250 million. Dr. Bellini and his family, including his son Roberto, wanted a private property for their exclusive use. Private and uninhabited Lake Maholi offered this possibility, as it boasts world-class sea bass fishing. Lac des Cèdres and Lac Collins have also been considered of interest, due to world-class trout fishing.