Winnipeg advocates push for private tree protection bylaw

Advocates from the group Trees Please Winnipeg are campaigning during the municipal election to implement a bylaw protecting trees on private property. Currently, there are few restrictions preventing property owners from removing trees, despite the fact that over 80 per cent of the city’s trees are located on private land.

Proponents argue that preserving the urban canopy is essential for providing shade during heat waves, cleaning the air, and managing rainwater. The group is urging candidates to sign a pledge committing to a bylaw that would regulate the removal of any trees with a diameter greater than 15 centimetres.

While cities such as Surrey, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto have established similar protections, advocates note that Winnipeg is falling behind. Approximately 75 per cent of municipal candidates have reportedly signed the pledge.