Ali Shayvard
"Ottawa needs to protect the trees we already have while continuing to plant more trees in the right places.
As Mayor, I will support protecting healthy mature trees, expanding tree planting throughout our streets, parks and neighbourhoods, and making sure the City properly maintains the trees we plant so they survive and grow.
But we also need to plant the right trees. With Ottawa experiencing stronger storms and extreme weather, we should choose appropriate, resilient tree species and make sure they have the soil and space needed to develop strong root systems. The goal should be healthy trees that can withstand Ottawa's changing weather while reducing the risk of trees coming down and damaging homes or infrastructure.
I also want to prioritize neighbourhoods with less tree coverage so that every part of Ottawa can benefit from more shade, cleaner air and greener communities.
I strongly support planting more trees, but we need to do it properly: the right trees, in the right places, with the right care."
Jeff Leiper
"Ottawa's tree canopy is one of our greatest assets, and we need to treat it that way. Trees make our neighbourhoods more livable, provide shade during extreme heat, help manage stormwater and make our city more resilient to climate change.
I support Ottawa's goal of reaching 40% urban tree canopy. But we will not get there through planting alone. We need to protect the mature trees we already have while significantly increasing planting in areas of the city where the canopy is lowest.
As Ottawa grows, we need to be smarter about how we build. New development should protect existing trees wherever possible and provide enough space and soil for new trees to actually survive and mature. We also need to keep expanding planting along streets, in parks and on other City-owned land.
This is ultimately about taking care of what we have while building a greener, more resilient Ottawa for the future."
Neil Saravanamuttoo
"I will roll out proactive tree planting and put communities at the centre of deciding where trees are most needed. Trees provide shade, help reduce building cooling needs and absorb rainfall that might otherwise overwhelm drainage systems. Focus will be on native species.
I will establish local community tree councils to identify neighbourhood planting priorities. We will support this by scoring tree viability zones to ensure that the best areas for public tree planting are communicated and inform these efforts. This will make tree programs easier to understand, allow communities to take clear roles, and help direct investment toward places where residents will benefit most.
Proactive planting is only the beginning. I will require five-year tree survival contracts, with full payment tied to trees surviving and thriving after five years. Small grants will support neighbourhood groups and local businesses in watering and protecting young trees during hot summer months.
The objective is a lasting increase in canopy, supported by ongoing care and the involvement of community members."
Peter Westaway
"I want trees planted around the massive farms in the Greenbelt as well as the large fields in the Central Experimental Farms. For the sake of rebuilding our canopy and making the roads safer in the winter. We should use various volunteer groups to get out and plant these rows so that the citizens become more emotionally invested in their communities."