By Squirrel For Mayor đż
Squirrel For Mayor will be watching with interest to see how the Saanich Mayor and Council respond to this council member’s motion.
On Monday, July 20, 2026, Saanich Council will debate a motion from Councillor Nathalie Chambers that would endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree as part of the municipality’s ongoing urban forest work.
If adopted, Saanich would be joining an emerging international movement that views trees not simply as infrastructure or amenities, but as living beings worthy of protection in their own right.
A Canadian first happened just last month
On June 9, 2026, the small municipality of Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, became the first municipality in Canada to formally endorse the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree.
The municipality endorses the three fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights:
⢠Article 1: The Tree, a sentient living being and a source of Life, is a common good of humanity.
⢠Article 2: Life on the planet depends on the existence of the Tree.
⢠Article 3: Humankind, endowed with reason and conscience, must act with the Tree in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity.
The resolution commits the municipality to âintegrating the principles of this declaration into its communications, development policies, green asset management practices, and the modernization of its urban planning regulationsâ as well as âpromoting education, awareness, and citizen participation to foster harmonious coexistence with nature and the protection of the tree canopyâ.
Rather than creating new legal “personhood” for trees, the municipality committed to incorporating these principles into its planning policies, urban forestry practices, communications, and future bylaw updates.
It also mandates the Environment Committee to establish âspecific targets and innovative measures aimed at the progressive implementation of this commitment, in a spirit of sustainable development and inter-municipal collaboration.â
Universal Declaration
The Declaration was launched in Paris, France on 18 November 2018. It is an international civil society declaration drafted by Ricardo Rey that aims to promote the recognition of the essential role of trees in maintaining ecological balances and their recognition as a subject of law. Since its launch, it has gathered more than 87,000 signatures worldwide.
What is before Saanich Council?
Councillor Nathalie Chambers has introduced a motion asking Saanich to endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree and to explore how those principles could be reflected in the Tree Protection Bylaw update, Urban Forest Strategy, Official Community Plan, EDPA guidelines, and other planning processes. The motion also encourages partnerships with the Lekwungen and WĚąSĂNEÄ peoples, environmental organizations, and community groups to strengthen urban forest stewardship, particularly for Garry oak ecosystems.
The motion does not create new legal rights or regulations. Instead, it asks staff to examine how these principles could inform future policy and report back to Council.
At its heart, the motion invites Council to consider a simple but significant idea: that trees are more than green infrastructureâthey are living beings with ecological, cultural, and community value. The proposal asks how these principles might shape future planning, policy, and stewardship in Saanich.
Why this matters
For decades, municipalities have managed trees primarily through policies such as canopy targets, replacement requirements, and development regulations. The Rights of the Tree movement introduces a broader perspective: that trees have intrinsic value as living beings and should be considered accordingly in public decision-making.
With the Garry oak ecosystem among Canada’s most endangered ecosystems, this discussion is particularly relevant in Saanich.
Following the recent decision by Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, to become the first municipality in Canada to endorse the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree, Saanich now has an opportunity to consider whether these principles should help shape its own policies.
Write in to Mayor and Council with your support before July 20th, 2026
https://saanichca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=4161
Further reading
- Saanich Council Agenda â July 20, 2026
- Eco Jurisprudence Monitor â Terrasse-Vaudreuil Resolution
- Standing for Nature â Quebec Town Recognizes Rights of Trees
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