City could fine builders whose projects branch out without trees

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This article was published 09/09/2025 (247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg developers could face financial penalties if they fail to replant or make space for trees when constructing infill housing.

A report set to be presented at Friday’s civic property and development committee recommends any builders who don’t replant trees they cut down or leave enough space to satisfy tree planting requirements in the city’s bylaw be fined $1,000 per tree.

All of the money raised would be put into a fund that would be used to support planting trees on private properties in high-poverty neighbourhoods and help the city buy land to expand natural stands of trees.

The report also recommends the committee send the issue to the city’s bylaw review process.

The move comes months after city councillors gave the green light to allow developers to build up to four housing units on a single lot in most residential areas without a public hearing.

Lanny McInness, president and chief executive officer of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association, said his organization didn’t know about the proposal and he is reaching out to get feedback about it from home builders.

“It seems to be a bit in conflict with the city’s stated housing goals to build more density in mature communities,” McInness said Tuesday. “We have not had any discussions with the city administration yet.

“This hasn’t been on our radar. Our expectation and hope is, if they want this as part of the zoning bylaw, that we would be heavily involved and working with the city.”

McInness said builders always want the structures they put up to be as appealing as possible and the association is hoping to learn if the purpose of the proposed bylaw is to encourage the planting of trees or a way to earn more revenue.

The executive director of Trees Winnipeg said the $1,000 charge when a tree can’t be planted is not enough.

“If you are taking down six mature 70- or 80-year-old trees, it is a pretty valuable resource you are losing for shade, environmental, ground water being soaked up. You’re tearing down a great resource for a pittance,” said Christian Cassidy.

He said it costs the city $1,000 to replace a boulevard tree and noted other cities across the country require developers to plant trees or pay a fee if they don’t.

The civic report said the City of Victoria (B.C.) requires developers to plant 50 trees per hectare and, if they can’t, pay $2,000 per tree into a tree reserve fund. Toronto and Burlington, Ont., have similar programs.

Currently, Winnipeg’s zoning bylaws require one tree for every 30 feet of residential frontage.

Coun. Evan Duncan, the committee’s chairman, said he understands why people get upset when a residential lot with trees becomes an infill development where trees are lost.

“How do we continue building our city while preserving the tree canopy? That’s the $1,000 question,” Duncan said.

“It is how do we preserve, strengthen and replace the existing tree canopy? I don’t think it would help putting bylaws on private land owners… we need to look at, not the stick approach, we need to look at the carrot.”

Duncan said examples of that may be by giving property owners a break on their property taxes.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.

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