12th floor, West Tower, City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Attention: Marilyn Toft
RE: IE11.1 2018 Tree Canopy Study
Dear Mayor Tory and Members of City Council,
We are the collective voice for neighbourhood associations in North Toronto and North York and have many concerns about the ongoing health and sustainability of our tree canopy. We are writing to voice our support of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommendations.
Specifically, we support: using the findings in the 2018 Tree Canopy Study to inform ongoing programming; to increase tree planting and maintenance on private land; to increase the tree canopy to 40%; to facilitate plans to enhance the tree canopy in identified neighbourhoods that have experienced significant losses; and to facilitate the enforcement of tree protection.
As climate change remains an ongoing challenge, planting and maintaining trees is critical. Trees not only add to the liveability and enjoyment of a neighbourhood, they represent a first line defence against climate change and its effects. We also support Toronto’s growth strategy being balanced with environmental and urban forest sustainability objectives. This includes the resiliency of surface areas since developmental pressures are decreasing open spaces and their permeability.
Geoff Kettel
Co-Chair, FoNTRA
Cathie Macdonald
Co-Chair, FoNTRA
cc: Janie Romoff, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation