2022 Municipal Election

We asked candidates that are running for the upcoming 2022 municipal election a few questions about how they could support trees in Guelph. Here are their answers:

The actual questions are at the bottom of the page.

Dan Gibson – Ward 1- candidate

  1.  In principle, yes, I do support the preservation of trees wherever possible on private property.  In terms of supporting a formal change to the bylaw however, I would need to see the overall impact (negative/positive), of such a change from our professional staff.  What would the overall benefit be to our Urban Tree Canopy vs the impact to homeowners.  To date I am unaware of such a study, so it is difficult to formalize an opinion.  This is not an “non-answer”, just an honest one 😊. 
  2. I think an “adopt a tree” initiative is a terrific idea.  Coordination between departments (i.e. waterworks and parks staff as well as residents), would be critical, but in principle yes, I support. 
  3. It has been a few years but in 2015 I took part in a Trees for Guelph planting in O’Connor Lane Park (plantings are doing well I’ll point out).  I also did a tree planting day at the Rotary Forest in the North end of the City in 2019/2020.  
  4. Yes, I would support a program for large legacy or Heritage trees. 
  5. This is an education piece for me, but one that I would welcome the chance to learn more on.  What investments would be needed?  Where are the greatest opportunities? What strategies can we employ to improve urban tree survival rates? 

Chidi Nwene – Ward 1 – candidate

  1. I will support a by-law that will protect trees and our green spaces. I studied Environmental Science and I was involved in the green revolution of tree planting in my native country. Here in Guelph, I belong to organizations that are focused on the protection of our green spaces and the trees. I have been a tree hugger for more than 30 years in many countries.
    Other changes that I would like to see are, building permit to add more restriction on protecting trees and the green space. We can build around nature, urban forestry has been proven to have lots of benefits for our communities.
  2. I think that our by-law system needs to be updated, we can’t keep working with 30 year old regulations. I will support programs that will protect the green spaces and trees without compromising other sectors.
  3. I am already involved in the tree planting campaign. I belong to Rotary Club that has big priorities on tree planting, I am involved with Guelph greens that are advocating for the protection of Urban Forestry. I have written articles on deforestation, I worked in the Amazon rain forest for 10 years. I can bring in my expertise to help the council make better strategic plans on ways that we can adapt in protecting trees and our green space.
  4. Yes I will support any proactive program that involves private properties. Encouraging urban forestry, and tree planting in private properties by the owners.
  5. I will support investing resources to seek planting techniques and strategic protection of urban trees.

Erin Caton – Ward 1 – candidate

  1. I definitely support a bylaw that protects trees on properties less than .5 ac. A diversity mandate for tree species would help protect trees from disease spread too. 
  2. We could initiate a rain barrel program or pair with industries to reuse other containers as rain barrels to make it easier and more cost effective to water trees on boulevards. Lugging a hose is not easy for all people. Improving watering options and ensuring people do not get in trouble by bylaw for having containers that capture rain for tree watering on boulevards would be an improvement. I think awareness of tree watering as being allowed is not widely known. In the facebook groups I’m in there was a lot of confusion over the policies. So clarity will help too. Potentially adding an area in the garbage and recycling app where you can add your trees and get reminders to water them would be useful. It could also let you know when you can water flowers using city water so people feel comfortable with the restrictions. I’m not opposed to tax breaks, but would have to do more research and talk to the city before recommending them. 
  3. I have planted nine trees on my property since buying it three years ago. I support and encourage tree planting programs and have boosted local initiatives such as the recent tree planting at Grange Rd. park. The city doesn’t like to plant trees on the boulevards, I was told. There is an issue with sidewalk and road clean up, but I disagree with that policy. I recently wanted to plant fruit trees on my boulevard so that I could donate them to the North East Harvest Market and the Food pantry Grange Hill East community group runs. They said it would cost me $100 per tree each year to plant and maintain trees on the boulevard. These policies are not community focused and we could have had four more trees planted this year if they were rethought. I would like to change these policies to help with the planting strategies. 
  4. I would support a heritage tree program. I feel we need to create mandates for developers who are creating buildings to preserve as many trees as possible. We could give tax incentives for plans that preserve a high percentage of mature trees, or fines for those who don’t. 
  5. We need to investigate other options to road salts. They are not environmentally friendly and affect our groundwater and ecosystems that we drain our streets into. I would definitely support resources for better tree planting systems. We have an excellent university that is focused on trees and nature. I think partnering with the university and challenging students to come up with creative new solutions for tree integration into our urban landscapes would be the first step.

Rodrigo Goller – Ward 2 – candidate

  1. Yes, I commit to advocating for a new/updated tree protection bylaw that effectively protects all trees in Guelph, regardless of the lot size. I also want the updated tree protection bylaw to consider the protection of root systems, which can be damaged when construction takes place close to the tree protection zone. I also want our updated Zoning Bylaw to require minimum tree planting space for all new developments. We have many guidelines around parking spaces, setbacks, etc., and I want us to start to require adequate spaces to plant trees with all new detached, semi-detached and town-houses. At present we are unfortunately allowing too many new developments to proceed with insufficient space for a tree to survive into maturity. I want our zoning bylaw to ensure there is (a) adequate space for root systems so trees can grow into maturity and to have (b) the right soil conditions for trees to thrive.
  2. Yes. I support creating a tree stewardship program so residents adopt and take ownership of watering municipal trees on public and private property. The City currently has several programs like the Rainwater harvesting system rebate, the Rain garden rebate program, and Stormwater service credits for business that could be adjusted to promote the care and protection of private and public trees. 
  3. One of my platform priorities is to protect our parks and green spaces. I will support all strategies that result in an increase to our tree canopy and expansion of our green spaces. I want to see the City’s Community Garden program expanded, with a focus on planting more food forests and community orchards across Ward 2 and the rest of Guelph. I want all new parks to include significant space dedicated to trees, so we can have more wooded areas like the south side of Exhibition Park or Royal City Park. I also want future greenfield developments like the former Dolime Quarry to include linear parks that have a significant number of trees and add to our active transportation network. 
  4. Yes I support starting a recognition program to protect our most valuable trees. It would be great to see municipal awards that recognize individuals who (a) increase our urban tree canopy and those who (b) protect our heritage trees. I would also love for the City to work with local and service organizations like Guides, Scouts, Optimists, Rotarians, etc., to host more tree planting events each year.
  5. Yes. We absolutely need to make up for the time we lost with those single-tree cells across Downtown Guelph. It’s time to introduce more berm planters with trees across the downtown core and the rest of Guelph. To increase the health and longevity of trees, I would like to see ‘pocket forest parks’ being built throughout Guelph. These small parks could have a few trees and a bench or small playground, so in a hundred and fifty or so years from now every Guelph resident lives within a short walk to mature trees.

Morgan Dandie – Ward 2 – candidate

  1. We absolutely need to have stronger protections for trees on private property in the city. Having a minimum lot size to protect trees has always seemed rather strange to me; if we want to protect and grow our tree canopy, all trees must be protected everywhere. The fact there was a property owner in Rolling Hills whose property is adjacent to Hall’s Pond removed a substantial number of trees to “enhance the view to the pond” and was able to do so without scrutiny is disturbing. We need to have more punitive fines for developers who remove trees without permission, and the proceedings need to be public. As part of the Protect Our Moraine Coalition, I attempted to find information about the proceedings of the charges against Mattamy for their illegal removal of trees. Not only is the information very difficult to obtain, it is next to impossible to be present for proceedings in the Courts; one of the POM members did attempt to attend a court hearing and was denied entry. Having closed door negotiations for developers acting in bad faith to essentially get away with illegal removal of trees is criminal in itself. Any and all charges laid in conjunction with tree protection bylaws need to be publicly accessible.
  2. I would love for there to be this type of initiative in Guelph. I was disappointed when I learned that a candidate wanted to plant fruit trees along the boulevard in front of their home and wasn’t able to do so because it would cost $100 per tree per year. If a citizen, a family, a neighbourhood, wishes to enhance the tree canopy, having to pay an annual fee to the city to do so seems counterintuitive, so I would definitely look at how this could change. I would also like to have a requirement to plant shade trees at every bus stop. Bus shelters work for wind, rain and snow and trees are needed to provide relief from heat and humidity.
  3. Ward 2 now includes our Downtown. As part of the Downtown Revitalization, I would like to see every single location where there is a tree, or one used to be there and has died, be enhanced with appropriate planting practices for urban settings. Having downtown be a pedestrian only area, with vibrant tree lined walkways would be a great way to reduce the heat island effects of all the pavement and provide a pleasant experience for everyone downtown. Additionally, I would like to see our tree replacement requirements be enforced to the maximum extent possible, and require the largest possible replacements as well. To date, I have participated in Rotary Tree planting events, and look forward to participating in more initiatives as we progress to a 40% canopy.
  4. A recognition program for large legacy or Heritage Trees would be amazing! Having grown up in Halton, I am very familiar with the Big Oak in front of the regional building on Bronte Road in Oakville and was very pleased when the road construction was revamped to ensure the tree survived. If this program had been in place when I owned my home on Victoria, I would have sought designation of the gorgeous big oak in the backyard, which I have been told is over 100 years old. Something I would like to explore is having a program whereby arborists identify endangered trees along our rivers. With the increase of severe wind events, I have seen much more treefall along the paths I regularly use along the Speed. I would like to have it identified where there are dead and damaged trees that could be downed by wind events and subsequently cause damage to healthy trees. Strategic downing of dead and damaged trees, accompanied with replanting of indigenous species could be an effective way to maintain existing trees. 
  5. I absolutely support investing in the resources needed to have the best planting environments for trees in an urban setting. I have the pleasure of spending some time with the founders of Urban Cottage Landscapes on their property. Working with individuals and groups who have successfully sustained urban plantings is essential to increase the health and longevity of street trees. I walk and use public transit to get to most places I need to be and regularly notice the difference between areas with good tree canopy and areas where there is a paucity of trees. Discovering and implementing best practices in creating and maintaining street trees is essential to having a successful urban forest.

Carly Klassen – Ward 2 – candidate

  1. The removal of trees, especially established trees, has an impact on the community and residents are concerned about it. I would support a change to the bylaw to protect trees on properties less than .5 acres. There are a lot of trees on lots under this size that are significant and contribute to the city’s canopy. I don’t think that the current bylaw does enough to protect our urban canopy. Toronto has very specific requirements about the removal of trees that include the size of the tree. It also references considerations that builders and developers should make for trees and ravines when designing and constructing projects. I think the consequences for the removal of trees should also be harsher. Toronto fines for unlawful tree removal go up to $100,000.
  2. I would support this type of initiative. I’ve spoken to residents about how they’d like to see more trees on boulevards and private property. I think that there would have to be significant public education if this type of program were to work.
  3. I’ve participated in Trees for Guelph. Other cities incentive residents to plant trees and shrubs on their property by providing educations and subsidies. Residents don’t always know which types of species to plant and where to plant them. It would be great to pair the annual water barrel sale with a similar type of discounted tree program, where residents could purchase and learn about planting.
  4. Yes I’d support this type of program.
  5. I think the city should build its strategies with the support of local experts and community members to ensure that stewardship of our trees is part of how we care for our city.

Kevin Bowman – Ward 3 – candidate

  1. Yes, I support a bylaw change to protect trees on lots less than 0.5 acres. I cannot think of another specific change I would propose but I am very open to suggestions. I strongly favour protecting and expanding our existing tree stock and canopy.
  2. Yes, I support public education and coordination among City departments. I believe boulevard trees are part of City/public property so ultimately, I think the City should be responsible for ensuring they are well cared for. That said, I think providing some form of incentive/benefit for residents to contribute is worthwhile. Many hands make light work. Similar incentives/benefits could be offered to private property owners with trees on their property. The exact form of these incentives/benefits is something I would need to look into more before proposing anything.
  3. Guelph has more canopy coverage than most of our neighbours but I agree 100% we need a concrete strategy to meet our goals (which are not ambitious enough in my opinion). I must admit this is an area where I am not well versed so I am unsure what specific measures the City can take beyond the obvious (maintain and care for existing trees, replace trees lost, plant more trees). If elected I intend to treat being a Councilor as my full-time job and quickly becoming well informed about a topic of interest is a strength of mine. I would of course rely heavily on the advice of experts such as GUFF for advice and guidance.
  4. I would definitely support a program to recognize and protect heritage trees. I admit I am not well versed in the specific ways we could protect existing trees beyond the obvious (care for them if damaged, replace if lost, etc.) but if elected I will dedicate myself full-time to this and my other responsibilities while relying on the expert advice of GUFF among others.
  5. I 100% support planting trees properly (such as the City Hall example) so it only needs to be done once (except in extenuating circumstances). This approach needs to be expanded to all areas not just those deemed “higher priority” such as City Hall.

Luc S. Cousineau – Ward 3 – candidate

  1. I think that with appropriate consideration for changes to trees that are needed and properly reviewed, the bylaw should be extended in this way. The loss of mature trees can have significant knock-on effects environmentally and fiscally, and changes to this bylaw would demonstrate actual commitment to long-term environmental practice in the city.
  2. Providing incentives or tax breaks for environmental practice just doesn’t work in the majority of cases. We are better off to provide education and change watering bylaws to exclude lawns but include and encourage tree watering.
  3. I support mandatory planting and replacement strategies codified in city code and bylaw, as this is the only way that we can ensure people/developers will meets these needs and demands. This should include significant fines for the cutting of trees (especially those over 30cm CBH), and fines that are scaled to size of entity (a developer would receive a significantly higher fine than a homeowner).
  4. Per my comment above, if we move to protect trees, then the rules have to have teeth, and teeth that impact those who have broken the law. As for legacy trees, provided the guidelines and rules are well developed and by experts in the field, I would support this idea. Rules like this created and monitored by non-experts in urban forestry are recipes for disaster and discontent. As for other strategies, there are important and world-renowned urban forestry programs in this province. Why not ask them?
  5. Who says no to this? People who hate all trees? Fiscally, the responsible thing to do is to invest in the best chances of success the first time, and we should enshrine the use of experts in urban forestry in our revisions of tree planning and law to increase our chances of success moving forward. The answer to increasing the health and longevity of street trees begins with understanding why the current ones aren’t healthy. Is it as suggested in this question, or something else. If we don’t have those answers, we will continue to throw our money down the cells.

Linda Busuttil – Ward 4 – candidate

  1. The quick answer is yes I think that there is a need to expand the bylaw to protect residential trees on properties of less than .5 ac. I also believe that there is a need to review the institutional, industrial and commercial and residential fruit tree exemptions. There is also an opportunity to review property and site plan standards, as in the city’s Urban Design guidelines. The difficultly is that the design “guidelines” are not enforceable.
  2. While I would support such a program, education and development of stewards to take responsibility for the watering of trees on boulevards, I believe that this is an ambitious undertaking. Such a program needs to take into consideration Equity in the community, would more affluent neighbourhoods have better cared for trees? From our family experience, many conversations with Community Garden network members, City Ice Rink volunteers, and the Forest Stewardship group at Marksam Park, there is a growing volunteer exhaustion from community members. While caring for trees on private property is one thing, I would be concerned that there might be resistance to taking responsibility for more without financial recognition.
  3. As I have campaigned around Ward 4 I have heard consistent criticism and concern with the replacement of diseased ash from existing west-end woodlots. From my volunteer experience on city tree planting initiatives which have taken place in open areas on the periphery of parks and woodlots, there has been a dearth of planting to replace the mature ash trees lost to EAB in the woodlots throughout Ward 4. Residents are also concerned that there has been insufficient removal of felled trees and that the undergrowth has predominantly been invasive species which have thrived since the felling of the ash trees. Prior to the pandemic I was involved in planting at Marksam Park, with Westwood School and the West Village neighbourhood group, and planting at Mitchell Woods PS with Trees for Guelph when the woodlot connected to the playground was removed.
  4. Yes I could support such a program, once again I would like to consider Equity. I nominated a Silver Maple in Marksam Park for an award and it received a recognition. A number of years ago Forest Ontario identified trees provincially based on size, I think that this provincial inventory should be done again and that any local effort fold into that work. While a recognition program is lovely and engaging I am not sure that it would have a significant impact on protecting trees.
  5. Yes I believe trees along streets are important. Urban areas should prioritize trees and walking and cycling over roadways. I grew up in Europe and appreciate the food/fruit trees such as blood orange, fig and others that are on public properties and accessible to families whose food security is enhanced by food forests. This is something that I believe is needed and would require a reexamination of our city by-laws.
    Some ideas:
  • Consider planting fruit and nut trees in specific areas so that residents see and value trees for food as well as the environmental benefits
  • Change existing By-laws that prohibit “foraging” and identify designated areas
  • Plant trees between sports fields, not ideal for mowing but helpful in providing shade and acting as a wind barrier
  • In Urban design, large parking lots should be encouraged to include planting of shade trees, Costco, Walmart, Zehrs, on islands separating parking spaces

Why not something drastic, make some areas of our downtown and other areas of the city of Guelph with no street parking, following a European model of pietons, pedestrian and deliveries only.

Cathy Downer – Ward 5 – candidate

  1. Yes, I would and have been advocating for this change. There are no regulations for the protection of trees during construction on properties less than .5 ac as well. This needs to change. We also need a public tree protection bylaw.
  2. Yes, I would support this. My understanding is that an Adopt-A-Space program will be initiated through the UFMP. This could be part of that program. I don’t believe bylaw changes would be required but we could consider incentives.
  3. This strategy will be crucial to meeting our goals of 40% canopy. We need to see strategies that include an update to the Tree Protection bylaw(see #1), quality and volume standards for tree plantings for new developments, integrate the 40% canopy target into the site plan approval and other planning processes such as minimum canopy requirements, better protection of exiting trees during development and a plan to ensure tree planting is equitable throughout the city. I don’t see the strategy as Ward specific but city wide. The strategy must include a plan and incentives for planting on private lands, particularly industrial and commercial. We need to ensure that City lands are included this strategy. I spear headed the collaboration of neighbours, city, Hydro One and Trees for Guelph for the planting of small trees, shrubs and wildflowers in the Hydro corridor. I have advocated for and celebrated the great partnership the city has with Trees for Guelph. I have supported Budget requests to implement the UFMP. On my own property, I recently removed a Norway maple and planted many native trees and shrubs – redbuds, hemlocks, service berry, etc.
  4. Yes, I would support a recognition program. I have referenced some other measures in my previous answers. Through programs like Healthy Landscapes we could educate the public on the proper maintenance and pruning of trees. We need to ensure we have the staff resources to proactively maintain street trees as well as those in other public spaces. The Tree Protection Bylaw needs to regulate the protection of trees during construction. Enhanced watering program for new plantings.
  5. Yes, we absolutely need to do a better job in the way we plant trees. I notice that Belleville and Wiarton are using raised street berms/containers to plant downtown trees and shrubs. The City is currently in the planning stage for the reconstruction of Wyndham Street. We have an opportunity to implement best practices for tree health and survival during this project. We must ensure we have adequate soil volume and conditions for street trees. New trees need to be watered and have a proactive maintenance program. We need to educate property owners about suitable native trees and ensure diversity in species. Finally we all need to support and champion the recommendation in the UFMP. I am not a tree expert and I know there are many more ways we can support our urban forest. I appreciate all of the experts in our community.

Leanne Caron – Ward 5 – candidate

  1. Yes, I support a stronger tree protection bylaw on properties less than .5 acres. I would also like to see changes that require new plantings to be replaced if they do not survive post-development. 
  2. Yes, watering to establish new plantings must be exempt. We are losing far too many new tree plantings due to insufficient watering within the first few years. 
  3. More trees, improve maintenance, stronger protection, and increase use of public land (parks, river banks, stormwater areas) would be a start.  I support prioritizing transit stops and boulevards, as well as along the Hanlon.  We are so fortunate in Ward 5 to have the Arboretum and Preservation Park.  I have participated in tree plantings events, supported the food forest planting at University Village and have enhanced my own property with over 10+ new trees.
  4. We must increase our maintenance/watering practices for newly established trees. I support the recognition of Heritage Trees and was the nominator of the first GUFF heritage tree recognition (the Willows in Royal City Park).  Tree canopy should be part of our climate change strategy (carbon sequestration) so I support making native trees available to all homeowners to plant on their properties at NO cost, and to incentivize an “adopt-a-tree” program for street trees.  Partnership with all school boards to plant and maintain forested areas on all school properties is something I will champion in the next term of Council, specifically for the new high school at Arkell and Victoria.
  5. YES, our downtown trees must have better installation and maintenance. Toronto has mature 30ft trees in its highest density urban core areas.  Berms, raised planters, rainwater capture, and other best practices must be resourced and followed.  Our operations staff must be  better trained and supervised to ensure trees are not improperly mulched, mounded, or whipper-snipped which contribute to loss.  Urban trees also need a healthy understory, so I support reduced grass cutting around multi-tree plantings.

Mark MacKinnon – Ward 6 – candidate

  1. I support reviewing potential bylaw changes with our professional staff to determine the best path forward for Guelph residents.
  2. This education campaign option is a good idea to explore with city staff.
  3. Since I am not an expert on trees, I look forward to reading a report from our professional staff on the Tree Planting Strategy.
  4. Like my answer to question 1, I support reviewing potential bylaw changes with our professional staff.
  5. I agree that the success of our downtown street boulevard trees and median tress has not been particularly successful. As part of the city’s upcoming Tree Planting Strategy review, I look forward to hearing our professional staff’s suggestions to ensure the survival of newly planted trees.

Dominique O’Rourke – Ward 6 – candidate

  1. I would certainly be interested in seeing what is happening in Toronto and Oakville and would expect to see that in the staff report. Ward 6 is seeing rapid redevelopment, I’m interested in seeing what we can do to protect the tree canopy as much as possible, especially for mature trees.
  2. I can absolutely encourage people to be better stewards of street trees through my newsletter and social media. I also recently asked staff whether it would be possible to use the water source for skating rinks- and the same or different volunteers – to water trees in parks where it’s feasible. Nearby, a local school planted trees in June with Trees for Guelph and I was concerned they wouldn’t survive given the drought this summer. That’s where the idea came from. I would support a city education campaign for watering trees. I don’t believe incentives, tax breaks or bylaws would be required, especially if people understand the benefit.
  3. I haven’t seen the Tree Planting Strategy yet so I can’t say which strategies I would support in my Ward. I have been very pleased to see a large number of new trees planted on boulevards and in parks in Ward 6. I certainly support that. I have attended at least 5 Trees for Guelph events in my Ward over the past four years. I always promote them in my newsletter and on social media.
  4. I’d like to know more about all the options to preserve the trees we have.
  5. Again, this is not an area of expertise so I rely on professional staff to make these recommendations.

Craig DiSero – Ward 6 -candidate

  1. Yes I will commit to supporting that change. I would also like to ensure we review all proposed developments and persuade them to leave trees where possible instead of cutting everything down. New developments must commit to replacing the trees they take down on a 1 for 1 basis.
  2. Yes this program would be welcome. There must be incentives we can provide to our residents to ensure they continue to be better tree stewards, especially in our established neighbourhoods.
  3. I have not yet been involved in any initiatives but I am looking forward to being able to do so. We need to ensure that we are replacing the trees we lose and protecting our trees from disease and harmful insects. This should be a priority for our city departments and staff.
  4. I would love to see a heritage program established for mature trees in our neighbourhoods. I believe most of our residents understand how important these tress are. Any renovation projects on properties with established trees must be thoroughly reviewed to ensure these trees are protected.
  5. We have to work with experts in these fields to ensure the trees we plant have a better chance of thriving. We need to also consider flowering plants and trees that are vital for pollinators. I would like to see all government buildings have a living wall or a living roof in the city. Any new expansions of streets should include tree plantings as part of the plan. The same should apply for street improvements. I grew up in downtown Toronto where every street in our neighbourhood had a tree canopy that met over the street and provided shade for everyone. I would love to see as many streets as possible in Guelph achieve the same.

Chetna Robinson – Ward 6 – candidate

  1. Yes I will support a change to bylaw to protect trees on properties less than .5 acres. I further plan to put forward a motion to insist on at least one tree per lot for new developments.
  2. Definitely! I have learned a lot by doing walks in the Arboretum so I think partnering with local groups will help reach people in different parts of the city. I would also approach the UGDSB about partnering with them to get the information to children.
    In terms of incentives, cities have had success with free seedlings and voluntary standards certifications so those would be great ideas to explore with city staff.
  3. I’ve gone to tree planting events and honestly they were great fun. If elected I would make sure to work with the city to have lots of these events and use my official account to promote them and get the community involved. I would reach out to local restaurants to come by and offer nourishment and really try to create a connection between happy times and tree planting.
  4. This is vital because maintenance is probably the most mishandled component of creating a sustainable urban forest – almost every street tree will not live to maturity. I would support a recognition program for large legacy or heritage trees. I think the vital part of this though is the maintenance that happens before a tree is planted – we need to write a minimum soil volume ordinance. We also need to pro-actively design streets, roofs, parking lots, sidewalks and other impervious parts of Guelph to drain to tree openings.
  5. Most definitely. I touched on my ideas for maintenance and to further that, it’s important that we diversify the types of trees on the streets so that we can better protect against disease. I would also look forward to discussing with city staff whether or not we can consider codifying in City Ordinance for openings for all new street trees to to avoid root and trunk girdling.

Danny Drew – Mayor Candidate

  1. From a personal perspective, I’m absolutely sick of seeing people take trees down from their yards. Of course, some are diseased or have an otherwise reasonable explanation, but to many are removed simply because someone doesn’t want to deal with “the mess”. My neighbours just took town what must have been a 50 year old pear tree for such reasons. As such, on top of requiring a permit to remove trees on any size of property, I’d like to require some form of confirmation of “structural damage” on the tree removal application. Other reasons in the list already require a report or other form of documentation, but this one appears as though it could operate as a catch-all loophole for anyone who wishes to remove a tree for whatever reason. I haven’t gone through the process myself, though, so hopefully it’s not as arbitrary as it appears and this isn’t necessary. In addition, I would also like to introduce requirements that any contracted developers must protect trees that aren’t strictly required to be removed for the contract’s terms to be met. I believe Fredericton enacted similar policy recently, or at least drafted a resolution that we could crib from. Your Facts and Figures indicate that City or boundary trees often occur due to lack of regulation. I’m no arborist, and don’t know what it would entail to keep them safe and healthy in this circumstance, but this is something I would be interested in figuring out.
  2. There’s already a bylaw I hope to eliminate with regards to the charges levied on those who would plant and maintain fruit trees on boulevards. Simply removing this barrier, and publicizing its removal, would be incentive to some to plant and care for trees on their boulevards and property. It may be worth considering producing an educational program to coincide with this on indigenous and invasive species of trees that promotes the planting of indigenous food trees and the care thereof, such as the pawpaw or the endangered red mulberry.
  3. I’ve not been involved with tree planting initiatives, myself. Bad knees kept me from going up North or out West back when I’d been interested in the mercenary version of it, and I suppose I’ve just been so busy with my various extra-electoral political endeavors that I haven’t gotten around to it. I wonder if we couldn’t have council consider having community tree planting events at some of the more “lawn-like” public parks, with input from the communities of course. Personally I believe that such lawn-parks are less inviting, less versatile, and require far too much GHG producing maintenance to be worth keeping as they are. This would be great for building community at the same time as our canopy. I’d like the city to investigate the viability of a program where the city purchases saplings, asks for requests from citizens, and plants them in people’s private yards or on their boulevards for them. To save on undue expenditure, we could redirect existing land maintenance city jobs away from wasteful mowing and such towards a program like this. This could involve training unskilled staff, but in my opinion that’s a plus.
  4. Absolutely I would. Beyond that, I’d like to address the spread of arboreal disease if possible. Again, I’m no arborist, but I feel like protecting our existing populations from the spread of viruses, bacteria, and fungi while increasing biodiversity to increase overall population resilience would be worthwhile.
  5. I believe the berm strategy would do well if more widely implemented not only because it’s already proven, and it facilitates the removal of trees in need of relocation, transplant, treatment, or destruction, but because this would have a side effect of allowing our walkways to require less maintenance over long time spans. The “cell”-type openings in a pavement of any type present weak points that can lead pavements to become unsightly, less functional, or even dangerous more quickly, and also don’t accomplish their ostensible purpose.

Nicholas A Ross – Mayor Candidate

  1. Yes I will help out. But I’m not rich.
  2. Yes I will try helping out but I support it what your doing  but everyone or anyone can put can put a hole in the ground like on the side of the Roads or at your place.!
  3.  Tree’s  are good for the breathing Air for the Earth  we all Rome around in to be recognized the Human People Person we all are in to ground are thoughts.!
  4.  Please don’t cut down  tree if it’s not dead if you do cut a tree down well put 4 or more tree   like it doesn’t have to be the same tree all the time  maybe put up a coconut or a oke tree  like if a tree  fall’s over at anytime in the summer you can plant a nice baby tree  but in the winter time you can’t plant tree  because because the ground is  cold it will die but some trees and plant will be reborn again maybe.? It May have a chance to grow or not.!
  5. The good time to water any plant is at n the night time that’s when the supper powers come out if you know what I mean.!

Shelagh McFarlane – Mayor Candidate

  1. I am not running for Mayor based on specific ward issues. I am running to restore the Mayor & the public Office to local governing authority so local issues CAN & WILL be addressed. I believe a Mayor is to remain impartial on issues so they can’t be influenced, coerced or bought. Their duty is to service the wards & balance costs vs needs.  Period. They shouldn’t impose their own personal opinion or preference while holding office or to get elected. My only platform issue is – restore our local governance autonomy, end international public-private partnerships & end “public funding for private global projects”. This will guarantee local money stays here to help projects such as yours “get off the ground”. This also restores the ability to completely control by-law changes. The CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF GUELPH is controlling by-laws now – they are a non-government organization – UN-elected, UN-accountable & under a global agenda, not the local one.
  2. The reason our water is being restricted in Guelph is because our GLOBAL MAYOR (Cam Guthrie) has partnered with the International Council on Local & Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). This United Nations subsidiary is a company that designs & sells water & energy control & monitoring systems. They are part of the UN Agenda2030 sustainable development implementation. I intend to end this Mayor “public/private” partnership  – a Mayor has no lawful authority to partner with international companies. There has been 2 decades of ‘Mayor Secret Meetings”, private developer deals & UN Agenda2030 implementation here which need to be sorted out. I believe there is lots of money to support your project once we end the GLOBAL MAYOR projects & financing commitments. ICLEI is here in town to destroy Guelph for world governance. Their plan is to make Guelph a CITY STATE.
  3. I don’t know enough about this to comment.
  4. I would trust the local committees you set up to address this. I have no personal knowledge. Under local control & a local agenda, we can do anything! As I said, a Mayor’s job is to ensure protection & financing for local needs. They should view the “forest” of town needs, not each individual “tree”. 
  5. Ask the people that live here that are the experts. I have talked to several – two very knowledgeable people in Ward 3 that have an amazing backyard sanctuary. We can do anything we want under a local agenda, independent science advice & autonomous governing authority. We can’t do this under a UN GLOBAL AGENDA. 

Questions

  1. In 2023 our Tree Bylaw will be reviewed. Our current bylaw developed in 2012 has no protection for trees on properties less than 0.5 ac. Many surrounding cities (e.g. Toronto, Oakville) have bylaws that do protect trees on properties less than 0.5 ac. Guelph citizens appreciate the benefits of trees and have indicated tremendous support for our canopy goal. Will you commit to supporting a change to the bylaw to protect trees on properties less than .5 ac? Are there other changes to our bylaw you would like to see put in place that will strengthen the protection for existing trees?
  2. This year has been very difficult for trees due to drought. Guelph’s Outside Watering Program does allow for watering of trees. One idea to help trees is for citizens to become better tree stewards and water the trees on boulevards and private property. This would need public education and coordination between city departments. Would you support such a program? Are there incentives, tax breaks or changes to bylaws that might help with this?
  3. The Tree Planting Strategy will be coming to Council in 2023. The support for this strategy is critical if we are to get to 40% canopy in Guelph. We lose trees every day to development and disease. Replacement is critical. What strategies would you support in your Ward? What initiatives regarding tree planting have you been involved with so far?
  4. To get to 40% canopy, we also have to preserve the trees we have. Protection of trees on private property smaller than .5 ac is one strategy. Another is to set up a recognition program for large legacy or Heritage Trees. Would you support such a program? What other measures would you support to maintain our existing trees?
  5. Right in front of City Hall we have a beautiful example of successful tree planting using raised beds (berms) where the trees and plants are doing very well. Success is based on trees planted in large enough areas so soil is not compacted, they are not hit by snow removal machines and salt is not retained. Across the street in front of the businesses, we have exactly the opposite, dead and dying trees planted in high tech cells that haven’t worked. The costs to replace dead trees that are either improperly planted or not watered and maintained is huge in contrast to the minimal maintenance of those successful trees in a better system. As our city is going to become hotter and drier in the years ahead, the health of street shade trees will become critical. Would you support investing resources to seek better planting environments for trees in urban settings? What do you think the City of Guelph should do to increase the health and longevity of street trees in our city?