Mayor Scott Gillingham announced today he will bring forward a proposal to City Council next week to maintain full funding for tree planting in the 2026 Urban Forest Renewal Program.
The move follows public feedback about a proposed budget amendment that would have reduced 2026 tree planting work by $1.236 million to offset a provincial government change to the City’s Strategic Infrastructure Basket funding allocation.
“Winnipeggers care deeply about our urban forest, and I’ve heard that clearly,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “The public wants this tree planting funding protected. I agree, and I’ll be bringing forward a plan to Council next week to do exactly that.”
City Council adopted Winnipeg’s first Urban Forest Strategy in 2023, setting a long-term plan to protect, preserve, and grow the city’s tree canopy. Since then, the City has made historic investments in urban forestry, increasing total operating and capital funding from $21 million in 2022 to $33.6 million in 2026 – a 60% increase and the highest level of urban forestry investment in Winnipeg’s history.
Those investments are producing measurable results since 2022:
- The overall tree pruning cycle has been cut in half, from once every 16.4 years to once every 8.5 years today.
- The number of trees pruned annually has doubled, from 17,675 trees to 35,155.
- Number of boulevard and park trees planted annually has increased by 54%, from 4,333 to 6,686.
- Urban Forestry staffing has increased by 38%, giving crews more capacity to plant, prune, and protect Winnipeg’s tree canopy.
“Winnipeg’s urban forest is one of our most important community assets,” said Councillor Vivian Santos, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services. “Trees make our neighbourhoods healthier, more resilient, and more beautiful. We have made real progress through the Urban Forest Strategy, and protecting this funding will help ensure that progress continues.”
Gillngham said the proposal will be brought forward for Council’s consideration at its July 16 meeting.
“Our urban forest is part of what makes Winnipeg livable, resilient, and beautiful,” said Gillingham. “When residents speak up for something that matters, City Hall should listen. That’s what we’re doing.”