Terrace-Vaudreuil Becomes First Municipality To Officially Adopt Universal Declaration Of Tree Rights

On June 9, 2026, a small Canadian town of Terrasse-Vaudreuil in Quebec became the first municipality in the world to officially adopt the principles of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights and simultaneously recognise municipal principles concerning the rights of trees to life, natural growth, integrity, and regeneration. The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights was authored and initiated by Ricardo Rey and is institutionally carried by La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, its founding organisation and official institutional steward.

The resolution's three main articles state that trees are living beings and a common human good, that life on Earth depends on their existence, and that humans must act in "fraternity and solidarity" with them.

"The municipality of Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Quebec, has taken a historic step by adopting a resolution that makes it the first municipality in Quebec and Canada to sign the petition supporting the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree," read a statement issued by the town council, adding that their declaration had received more than 87,000 signatures worldwide.

Rey, however, clarified that the declaration must not be confused with legal personhood. It does not automatically confer standing before courts. The declaration constitutes a broader ethical, scientific, democratic, legal, cultural, and educational framework defining fundamental principles concerning Trees and the responsibilities borne by human societies and public institutions towards them.

Mayor Michel Bourdeau highlighted that Quebec filmmaker Andre Desrochers inspired the community to take action through his movie, Des arbes et des arts. The movie screening sparked extensive public discussion about the legal "personhood of trees" and the possibility of recognising them as living beings rather than mere objects.

Following the discussions, a formal request was submitted to the municipal council through the Terrasse-Vaudreuil Environmental Committee, leading to the adoption of this resolution.

"By adopting this resolution, Terrasse-Vaudreuil reaffirms its commitment to building a sustainable future. This recognition will be accompanied by concrete programs aimed at protecting our tree canopy, planting trees, and raising public awareness of their importance," said Bourdeau.

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'Ecocentric' Worldview

Desrochers said he set out to change the worldview of humans who often believe that they are the centre of the world, when it is not the truth.

"With this film, I set out to help transform our 'egocentric' worldview into an 'ecocentric' community, where humans recognise themselves as an integral part of the living world rather than its centre," said Desrochers.

(Correction: Necessary changes reflecting Ricardo Rey as the author and initiator of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights, distinguishing the declaration from legal-personhood mechanisms, and using the official designation in the headline have been made on August 12, 2026)