MPP Arnott tables resolution to take Wellington County’s Green Legacy Programme province-wide

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2015

MPP Arnott tables resolution to take Wellington County’s
Green Legacy Programme province-wide

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(Queen’s Park) – With the 150 anniversary as a province within Confederation quickly
approaching, Ontario should mark the occasion by planting 150 million trees across the
province, says Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.

Mr. Arnott tabled a resolution in the Ontario Legislature on October 6 calling on the Provincial
Government to work in partnership with municipalities, school boards, community organizations,
the business community, and the forestry industry to set a goal of planting 150 million trees,
starting in 2017.

“When I first raised this idea at Wellington County Council on June 25, it was very well
received,” Mr. Arnott said. “I decided to follow up with a Private Member’s Resolution and bring
it to the floor of the Ontario Legislature.”

Mr. Arnott’s proposal is also intended to highlight the County of Wellington’s Green Legacy
Programme. First established in 2004, it is the largest municipal tree planting programme in
North America, supporting the planting of over 150,000 trees annually in the County.

The County of Wellington has endorsed the proposal, and hopes to see it develop into a long
term provincial tree planting programme.

“The Green Legacy Programme has been an amazing success,” said Mr. Arnott “County
Council and staff deserve enormous credit, and they should be proud of what they’ve achieved
to encourage volunteerism, confront the challenge of climate change, and support agriculture.
Green Legacy does all of this, and more.”

Mr. Arnott’s resolution is scheduled for debate and a vote in the Ontario Legislature on
Thursday, October 22.

“I spoke with the Minister of Natural Resources today after Question Period, to inform him of my
resolution. I hope that MPPs from all parties can come together to support this. Working
together, we can leave a positive legacy for future generations,” Mr. Arnott concluded.

(Attached: The text of Mr. Arnott’s resolution)

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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org

Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills

Text of Mr. Arnott’s resolution

Mr. Arnott – That in the opinion of this House, the Minister of Natural Resources should lead a
coordinated effort, working with municipalities, school boards, community organizations, the
business community, the forestry industry and volunteers, to take the County of Wellington’s
Green Legacy Programme province-wide, with the stated goal of planting 150 million trees as a
project to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Province in Confederation in 2017.