Ontario Slashes 50 Million Tree Program
Published April 25, 2019 at 1:23 pm
According to a recent CBC article, Ontario has slashed the 50 Million Tree Program – the goal of this program, as noted on the Forests Ontario website, was to plant 50 million trees by 2025.
The CBC article notes that one day after the Progressive Conservative government delivered its budget earlier this month, it was revealed that the program was being cancelled.
So, why was this program cancelled?
According to the CBC article, the program was slashed as a way to cut provincial costs – the program’s annual budget was around $4.7 million.
However, the cancellation of the program is expected to result in some concerning outcomes.
“The CEO of one of the main nurseries that grows seedlings for the program said the cancellation of the 50 Million Trees Program will lead to more erosion in flood zones, as well as poorer air and water quality, warmer lakes and streams without forest cover to shade them, and less wildlife habitat,” reads the CBC article.
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The article also notes that the cancellation could lead to job losses and environmental benefits that forests provide.
What do you think of Ontario’s decision to eliminate this program?
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