Terrasse‑Vaudreuil, a 2,000‑resident town west of Montreal, became Canada’s first municipality to adopt the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree. City council approved a resolution on June 9 that grants trees the right to life, growth, integrity and regeneration. The move follows a film by Quebec filmmaker André Desrochers that framed trees as sentient today here.

Mayor Michel Bourdeau said the resolution will prompt bylaws review to protect or replace trees when removal becomes necessary. He also plans to widen the canopy by offering free saplings to residents. Residents praised the unanimous vote, noting the town’s forest setting makes the decision a natural fit for its climate‑resilient identity. Residents also cite recent flooding events as a catalyst for stronger tree protection.

The town’s initiative aligns with global trends that grant legal personhood to natural features, such as New Zealand’s Te Waka Tamariki and Quebec’s Magpie River. Environmental groups view the declaration as a hopeful step toward recognizing trees as ecosystems that supply shade, food and habitat. The policy will also affect future zoning and maintenance budgets, projected to increase.