Government spends $268M on tree program with no clear deadline

The federal government has spent over a quarter billion dollars on its Two Billion Trees Program, but there is still no deadline for its completion, according to a briefing note from Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s department.

Officials say it will take years to establish "the right conditions" for the initiative.

“Tree planting at this scale takes time and careful planning,” the note stated. “We aim to ensure that planting is done under the right conditions and with the goals of the program in mind, including enhancement of biodiversity.”

Blacklock's Reporter says the November 27 briefing also emphasized the benefits of the initiative, highlighting its role in revitalizing fire-damaged areas, capturing carbon, and creating green jobs.

To date, spending has reached $267.7 million, which is only a fraction of the anticipated total cost. The government initially budgeted $3.16 billion over 10 years, but the Parliamentary Budget Office projected in a 2021 report that the actual cost could reach $5.94 billion.

The Liberal Party originally pledged in its 2019 election platform to plant two billion trees within a decade. However, planting schedules have since been revised to 393 million trees by 2031, with no set timeline for reaching the original target.

A February 15, 2024 memo from Wilkinson’s department acknowledged that the target was more of a slogan than a firm commitment. “The government sought a name that would inspire commitment and participation,” the memo stated. “So far that has worked.”

In testimony before the Commons environment committee in 2023, department managers confirmed that the Two Billion Trees Program was not meant to be taken literally. The program aimed to subsidize tree planting efforts, rather than directly ensuring two billion trees were planted, explained program director Monique Frisson.

“The Two Billion Trees Program is not going to plant two billion trees?” asked Conservative MP Michael Kram. Frisson responded that the program was part of a broader government commitment, which included trees planted through other federal initiatives.

“So why is it called the Two Billion Trees Program?” Kram pressed. “Yes, it’s a good question,” Frisson replied.

When Conservative MP Branden Leslie asked how many public servants were working on the program, Frisson estimated around 50 employees were involved.

Critics have questioned the necessity of the initiative, pointing out that Canada already has an estimated 318 billion trees. Additionally, forestry companies are required to plant approximately 600 million trees annually to compensate for harvesting on Crown land.