- Terrasse-Vaudreuil in Quebec recognizes trees as living beings with rights
- The town adopted a resolution granting trees rights to life, growth, and regeneration
- Mayor Bourdeau cites a film inspiring the community to protect trees as living entities
Trrasse-Vaudreuil municipality in Quebec, Canada, on June 9 adopted a resolution recognising fundamental tree rights. This action acknowledges trees' rights to life, growth, integrity, and regeneration. The municipality formally adopted the principles of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights, authored and initiated by Ricardo Rey, which are 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.
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 said Quebec filmmaker Andre Desrochers inspired the community to take action. He said Desrochers' film, Des arbres et des arts, convinced citizens that trees are living entities that breathe and communicate with each other through their root systems.
Bourdeau said a tree is like a human being because it breathes, lives, takes in water and protects people from many things.
Bourdeau said the new resolution means the town will review its existing rules and bylaws to ensure that trees are protected or replaced if they must be cut down. He also plans to introduce measures to increase the tree canopy, including offering trees for residents to plant.
He said trees are a true green infrastructure because they help reduce urban heat islands, improve air quality, manage precious water resources and protect biodiversity.
Bourdeau said the move was adopted unanimously by councillors and appears to be popular with residents as well. He added that he does not expect it to cause problems, such as interfering with development, partly because the town has no more vacant land available for construction.
He said his town is a natural fit to become a tree ambassador because it is built in the woods and its citizens value a rural lifestyle. He added that residents are also well aware of the damage caused by extreme weather and climate change after experiencing flooding three times in recent years.
Bourdeau said that when it comes to fighting climate change, their biggest ally is the trees.
(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)
