The city can move forward with most of its expropriation plans for the next phase of rapid transit, even if they didn’t adequately consult property owners.

That’s the view of George Ulyatt, whose 141-page inquiry report on the matter has been released. Ulyatt, who oversaw public hearing overs the summer on the matter, gave the go-ahead to the city’s plan to expropriate properties for the next phase of the southwest transit corridor, save for three properties.

The report is nonbinding.

Despite 34 properties being affected and more than 1,000 served with notice of intended expropriation, only 11 objections were filed with the inquiry. Three later withdrew their objections while two other had cut a deal with the city, Ulyatt said, in his report.

“The fact that there are a minimal number of objectors, and of those who did object, agreements were reached by a number of them, is laudable,” the report reads.

The report did note the city should have communicated better with those directly impacted by the proposed expropriation.

Construction of the $447.6-million rapid transitway is set to begin sometime next year and continue into late 2019, with an opening the following year. Once complete, it will connect the initial phase of rapid transit that begins near Confusion Corner with the University of Manitoba.