Why is a Quebec town giving rights to trees?
The Big StoryPlay episode
Show notes
Update since publication:
The Big Story would like to formally recognize Ricardo Rey as the author and initiator of the 'Universal Declaration of Tree Rights', and La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus as its founding organisation and official institutional steward. André Desrochers helped bring the existing Declaration to local attention but did not create, author or initiate it. Ms Trépanier is a member of the Terrasse-Vaudreuil Environmental Committee and her explanation represents her personal interpretation, not the authorized interpretation or official English translation of the Declaration.
The episode refers to the “Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree.” The official English title is “Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”
The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights consists of three foundational articles. The four rights stated in the Terrasse-Vaudreuil municipal resolution — life, natural growth, integrity and regeneration — are distinct municipal provisions. They are not the three articles of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights. The official page explaining the procedure and legal scope of adoption by local authorities is available here: https://www.declarationuniverselledesdroitsdelarbre.org/local-authorities-universal-declaration-tree-rights/
An official English-language explanation of the nature, purpose and scope of the Declaration, including what it is and what it is not can be found here: https://www.declarationuniverselledesdroitsdelarbre.org/understanding-the-universal-declaration-of-tree-rights/
The trilingual institutional framework governing the Declaration’s origin, stewardship, representation, uses and authorisations can be found here: https://www.declarationuniverselledesdroitsdelarbre.org/cadre-officiel-de-la-declaration-universelle-des-droits-de-larbre/
The detailed legal analysis explaining the progression of the Declaration’s three articles from the legal characterisation of the Tree, through the scientific foundation of the dependence of Life upon trees, to the resulting normative responsibility of humanity can be found here:
https://www.declarationuniverselledesdroitsdelarbre.org/fondements-juridiques-declaration-universelle-droits-arbre/
For certainty - Ms Trepanier is not the author or co-author of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights, a representative of La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, an authorized institutional spokesperson for the Declaration; a person authorized to translate, define or reinterpret its three articles; or a person holding a written mandate to represent the Declaration’s international institutional framework.
We regret the errors.
A Quebec town of 2000 people just west of Montreal has become the first place in Canada to recognize the rights of trees.
Inspired by Ricardo Rey, the author and initiator of the 'Universal Declaration of Tree Rights', La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, its founding organization and official institutional steward, as well as André Desrochers, Quebec filmmaker, the Terrasse-Vaudreuil city council adopted a resolution that protects a tree's right to growth, life, integrity and regeneration, while also signing on to the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Sylvie Trepanier, a member of the Terrasse-Vaudreuil Environmental Committee to discuss their case for legally protecting the trees, and why other parts of the country may want to consider doing the same.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca
Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
