Council has adopted amendments to the Tree Preservation Bylaw aimed at protecting the urban forest, while the City focuses on planting more trees. As part of the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan, the City is reviewing and renewing our Tree Preservation Bylaw to ensure we protect trees on private property.
“Our community has been very clear through strong voices and advocacy, that they love their trees. And the benefits of trees are wide ranging including enhancing well-being and helping the City mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “Not only has the City made significant commitments to planting new trees, but the bylaw changes adopted today will protect nine times more of our current canopy for future generations to enjoy.”
The bylaw amendment includes adjustments to protected tree size, fees, inspection requirements and a new cash-in-lieu program. These changes reflect leading practice and more closely align with neighbouring communities. View the details of the amended Tree Preservation Bylaw.
The City’s Urban Forest Master Plan identifies 26 recommended actions for the improved management of trees on public and private lands over the next 50 years. In 2020 the City will be working with the community on tree planting and tree preservation opportunities in light of a changing climate.
A new investment of $1 million annually will expedite implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan, to maintain existing trees and to plant new trees. In 2019, a total of nearly $3 million will go to maintain and enhance the urban forest providing a wide range of benefits, from positive mental health impacts, to environmental attributes such as regulating temperature, mitigating stormwater runoff and providing wildlife habitat.