‘2 Billion Trees’ Program Will Fall Short of Goal, Committee Hears

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a tree-planting event with local youth in Milton, Ont., on Sept. 2, 2022. The Canadian Press/Eduardo Lima

The federal government’s 2 Billion Trees planting program will not achieve its goal, the Department of Natural Resources has admitted.

Department managers testifying at a Commons environment committee meeting on Oct.19 said the target will not be met. The admission followed an April 20 report by Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco titled “Financial Support For Planting Two Billion Trees” which concluded the program was unlikely to succeed.