On June 21, 2026, the municipal council of a small town located west of Montreal officially recognized trees as living beings with their own rights. The decision, taken after a meeting of town officials and representatives of an environmental organization, marks the first time a municipality in Quebec and Canada has granted legal status to trees.
Council members voted to adopt a resolution that defines trees as entities possessing rights, a move presented as part of the town's broader environmental strategy. The resolution was drafted in collaboration with the environmental organization, which had advocated for stronger protection of urban greenery. Both parties emphasized that the recognition aims to ensure that municipal policies consider the welfare of trees in planning and development processes.
The council's action follows a growing interest in ecological jurisprudence, although no similar municipal measures have been recorded elsewhere in the province or the country. By classifying trees as living beings, the town intends to integrate tree protection into its regulatory framework, potentially affecting permits for construction, road work, and landscaping. The resolution does not alter provincial or federal law but establishes a local precedent for how municipal bylaws may address natural assets.
Town officials indicated that the new status will require the administration to assess the impact of proposed projects on trees and to adopt mitigation measures when harm is unavoidable. The environmental organization noted that the recognition aligns with scientific understanding of trees as complex organisms that contribute to air quality, climate regulation, and biodiversity.
Observers from neighboring municipalities have been invited to review the town's approach, with the possibility of adopting similar measures. The council plans to monitor the implementation of the resolution and to report on any legal challenges or adjustments needed as the policy takes effect.