Advocates planting the seed of a tree protection law in Winnipeg's election
The giants that Diane Poulin used to live among are all dead, but she's hoping to protect the ones still left in Winnipeg.
âI had five mature elm trees right in front of my house that leaned over the street and formed a beautiful canopy, and they're all gone now,â she says.Â
In her backyard was the biggest of the bunch.
"He was like the grandfather of the neighbourhood ⊠his canopy filled our backyard, and heâs gone."
The cityâs trees are under threat from disease, pests and climate change, but there's limits on how much can be done to push back against these forces of nature.Â
So, Poulin and other advocates at Trees Please Winnipeg are also pushing to hold back another threat â property owners.
The group wants Winnipeg to put a bylaw in place to control the cutting of trees on private property, since there's currently little stopping owners from cutting down as many trees, however big, as they please.
Advocates like Poulin say protecting the urban canopy is crucial because of the many benefits trees bring to all residents, such as providing shade in heat waves, cleaning the air, controlling rainwater and beautifying the city.Â
With more than 80 per cent of the cityâs trees on private property, there needs to be a way to preserve those trees, too, she says.
To ramp up pressure, Trees Winnipeg has pushed candidates in the municipal election to sign a pledge that includes a commitment to enact a bylaw that would control the removal of all tress more than 15 centimetres in diameter.
Many cities across Canada already have some form of private tree bylaw, which generally still allow cutting trees for development or when they're unhealthy, but not when someone just doesn't want to rake leaves anymore.Â
Surrey, B.C., passed protections in 2006, while cities such as Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto have since joined in. Edmonton has one in the works.Â
"We're really falling behind on that front," Poulin says.
About 75 per cent of candidates have signed on to the pledge, she says, though there are some notable gaps, including incumbent mayor Scott Gillingham.
At a recent campaign stop, he said he was proud of his record on trees, which saw the city boost funding and its replacement rate for trees. But he would only commit to council talking about a bylaw protecting trees on private property, not passing one.
"We have to take a look at what it is and what the nuances are, what the requirements would be, what the terms of any bylaw would be," he said.Â
The mayor and council have been made aware of how passionate many Winnipeggers are about trees. When city leaders tried to fill a financial gap this summer by cutting the forestry budget, there was enough of an outcry they backed down.
But going so far as to tell private property owners what they can do with their trees can also raise passions.
In Toronto, for example, such bylaws have led to frustrated homeowners who have been told they can't cut down their mature ginkgo trees, despite the trees starting to produce their noxious-smelling fruit.Â
Such a bylaw could have also made it challenging for Paul Taylor to clearcut his tree-covered lot in Winnipeg, which stood as something of an extension of the cityâs Assiniboine forest.Â
Taylor says he did it over security concerns, as the trees hid his old family home from the street, leading to break-ins and vandalism, so he flattened the whole place.
The business owner says heâs still in favour of some kind of bylaw protecting trees, as long as it leaves room for genuine safety and liability situations, and has some kind of replanting requirement.
"I'm generally supportive of protecting Winnipeg's urban tree canopy, and I don't see that as being at odds with being a developer," he says.
Neighbours that were asked about the clearcut didnât jump to support laws to prevent it.
Brian Paterson, who has lived next door for 67 years and enjoyed the view of the ancient oaks and other trees that grew there, says that within reason, people should be able to decide for themselves.
âWould I rather the trees be there? Yeah, but he has a right to whatever he wants to do with his property.â
Across the street, Bianca Johnson says she loves the idea of protecting trees, but worries about how far a law may go, and what kind of hassle someone might have to go through to deal with, say, a diseased tree.
âIn general it sounds great, but details are always the important nitty-gritty bit,â Johnson says.
âThereâs always the personal rights versus communal rights.â
While such bylaws do limit the personal, itâs not so different from many existing laws, said Erna Buffie, who published a book earlier this year on saving the urban canopy.
âI have to pull a permit if I want to do any kind of renovation on my property or in my house, but I can go ahead and cut down a tree that's 100 years old without any repercussions,â she says.
âThere's something fundamentally wrong with that.â
She says the current lack of protections means, for example, that the owner of the Lemay Forest was within their rights to cut down the roughly 17,000 trees on the property. The forest, and the graves within it, were only saved when the province stepped in to expropriate it last year.Â
With the cityâs trees still largely unprotected, Poulin at Trees Please has also been working to add new ones.Â
She helped raise money to plant eight trees across from her house, even though she won't be around to see them grow to the grandeur of what they replaced.Â
"We do this for the next generation of Winnipeggers and kids and grandkids, who need to inherit a city that is livable for them."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
By Ian Bickis | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Ontario is home to a mini Grand Canyon with dreamy trails and towering boardwalks
You can skip the flight to Arizona.
You can skip the trip to Arizona and enjoy some Grand Canyon-like views right here in Ontario this fall.
This breathtaking destination boasts towering boardwalks, scenic trails, and massive canyon walls that will have you forgetting you're still in the province.
It's even more stunning during the fall, when shades of red and gold blanket the surrounding forests.
Ouimet Canyon, located in Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park near Thunder Bay, is a jaw-dropping natural wonder with some incredible autumn views.
The destination boasts a 150-metre-wide gorge with massive cliffs descending 100 metres to the canyon floor, earning it the nickname "Canada's answer to the Grand Canyon." You can gaze over a patchwork of fall colours from above as you venture along the towering trails.
The park features a 1-kilometre trail loop that leads over a scenic bridge to two lookout platforms nestled along the canyon edge.
An elevated boardwalk winds between the viewing platforms where you can soak up the canyon's fiery fall colours. The landscape is also home to Arctic plant species typically found much farther north, creating a unique natural setting.
Keep an eye out for some of the park's birds as you explore the walkway beneath the forest canopy.
With its dramatic cliffs and rugged landscape, Ouimet Canyon offers a taste of the American Southwest right here in Ontario, no plane ticket required.
The park is open until October 30, so if you're in the Thunder Bay area, it's worth adding this to your autumn bucket list.
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Price: $12.25 + day use fee
When: Until October 30, 2026
Address: Greenwich Lake Rd., Pass Lake, ON
This Ontario village is a mini slice of Scotland with stone shops and historic charm
It's extra cozy during the autumn months. đ
Ontario is full of picturesque villages, but if you're looking for a place with a little European flair, you might want to take a road trip to this charming spot.
With quaint stone shops, historic architecture, and river views, it's a beautiful place to spend a day or longer.
The town is especially dreamy in autumn, when crisp leaves blanket the ground, and the little stores and cafes feel even cozier.
Perth is a charming Ontario town nestled along the Tay River, about an hour from Ottawa.
It was named after Perth, Scotland, and you can still see its Scottish roots reflected in the old-world buildings and quaint streets today.
According to the website, "you'll be amazed by the gorgeous heritage buildings lining the streets and the passageways that once served as horse lanes. With a Scottish influence, many of Perth's stone buildings were crafted by masons, making them a long-standing backdrop to the town's landscape. "
It's a magical spot to spend an afternoon sipping pumpkin spice lattes, wandering along leafy trails, and popping into local boutiques.
You can head to cozy cafes like Coutts Coffee Roastery & Cafe, North Folk Cafe, Jazzy's, and The Fieldhouse Bakery and Restaurant for warm drinks and cozy autumn vibes.
Since it just isn't fall without a sweet treat, you'll want to stop by Perth Pie Co., where you'll find everything from pumpkin pies to scones and gooey butter tarts.
There are lots of spots to grab a bite or enjoy a drink as well. The town's website highlights everything from "delicious pub eats to mouth-watering fine dining to thirst-quenching brews and spirits," so there's something for every taste.
Once you've satisfied your appetite, you can check out the Perth Museum, snap a photo with a replica of the town's famous giant "Mammoth Cheese," or wander around Code's Mill. This historic complex features five buildings and dates back to 1842, offering another glimpse into Perth's past.
Stewart Park is one of Perth's prettiest places to explore. Spanning five acres, the green space transforms into an autumn wonderland, with colourful foliage, winding walkways, and charming little bridges straight out of a storybook.
For more autumn views, you can follow the Tay River Towpath Trail for views of the river framed by brilliant red and golden leaves, or head to nearby Foley Mountain Conservation Area for sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside.
Perth Tourism suggests stopping on the bridge in Stewart Park or following the Tow Path toward Last Duel Park, where you can take in the colourful scenery along the way.
October also brings Halloween fun to town, with seasonal activities like ghost walks and trick-or-treating.
With its historic stone buildings, cozy cafes, Scottish charm, and parks filled with fall foliage, Perth makes a picturesque destination for an autumn day trip or weekend getaway.