“Today 80% of Canadians live in cities. Unfortunately 21,000 Canadians will die of smog-related diseases this year alone - trees exert an enormous influence in taking particles out of the air, in sequestering greenhouse gases and in cleaning our water – 1,538 tonnes of particles were knocked out of the airstream by Toronto’s trees and shrubs in 1998 alone. “

“U.S. studies have proven that trees have a great calming effect on people - fewer incidences of domestic abuse, less attention deficit disorder children and reduced graffiti in urban areas with tree cover….Now, even as the environment continues to be top of mind for most Canadians, our urban forests are under extreme pressure: from intensification, from infrastructure replacement, from invasive pests, and from pollution. “

“Without healthy people, cities will face become less competitive and will face higher health costs. Without healthy cities, Canada’s reputation as a healthy and prosperous place to live could fade away. In this scenario, everyone suffers. Everyone loses. Municipalities are doing their part. Individuals are trying to do their part. The timing is ripe for our federal partners to do their part as well. “

“We urge the political parties of this country to stand up and be counted as a supporter of Canada’s urban forests. We needed a national program 50 years ago. We need a national program even more, today. The United States has a Deputy Minister for Urban Forests in the US Forest Service. Even Alaska has an urban forester whose salary is paid for by their federal government. The European Community has its system of urban foresters”, he said.