Automatic tree planting for city-owned land in front of residential properties.

Approved Motion

2023-05-23

Motion regarding a request to the City of Ottawa to implement automatic tree planting for city-owned land in front of residential properties.

Whereas the City of Ottawa has declared a climate emergency¹ and has adopted an ambitious Climate change master plan¹ that recognizes the value of green infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change;

Whereas trees are known to capture carbon dioxide, improve air quality, provide shade to mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce storm water run off, and provide habitats for wildlife;

Whereas the City of Ottawa acknowledges that the “… urban forest make critical contributions to the daily quality of life of those who live, work and play in Ottawa. An ever-increasing body of scientific and technical literature shows that trees and green spaces in urban areas provide direct and indirect benefits to human health, and can also help improve indicators of economic and social health and well-being.”²;

Whereas the City of Ottawa’s New Official Plan proposes increasing the urban tree canopy target from the current 25% to 40% at a neighbourhood scale³;

Whereas the City of Ottawa’s Mayor has promised to double the annual tree planting goal by increasing the number of trees planted each year to 250,000 as part of his environmental platform⁴;

Whereas the City of Ottawa lost 25,000 trees this year to clear-cutting on Tewin lands⁵;

Whereas the City of Ottawa owns frontage on private and commercial properties for installation of public infrastructure such as lamp posts, hydro poles, fire hydrants, traffic signs and street trees which play an essential role in providing a safe and healthy community;

Whereas the City of Ottawa currently relies on property owners to request tree plantings on the city-owned frontage of their homes and rental properties through the voluntary Trees In Trust program⁶;

Whereas the Glebe Community Association Environment Committee has supported the Trees in Trust program by canvassing the neighbourhood and handing out hundreds of pamphlets to residents over a two-year Tree Canopy Regeneration campaign⁷ which prioritizes native canopy trees;

Whereas the City of Ottawa’s tree planting targets are unlikely to be achieved with the current voluntary model for planting street trees and would be better supported through an automatic tree planting model as practiced by the City of Montreal⁸;

Therefore:

Be it resolved that the GCA President write to the Mayor (copied to all Councillors) urging that the City adopt a proactive tree planting strategy where City of Ottawa staff automatically plant street trees on the city-owned frontage of private properties to achieve the 40% tree canopy coverage necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Ottawa neighbourhoods.