Quebec municipality testing ‘canopy charge’ tax to help tackle climate change

Author Diane Berard
For phase one, Victoriaville will charge a fee if a developer cuts down a tree canopy. Phase 2 will reward canopy coverage.

Why It Matters

Eco-fiscal policies influence individual and collective behaviour to reduce pollution and damage to biodiversity. These policies also collect revenues to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation solutions. Ecofiscality is also a revenue stream for municipalities, which have seen their responsibility and the citizens' pressure expand over the years.

Any developer asking for a permit to build housing units in Victoriaville, Que., will now have to pay a tax of $25 for every square metre of tree canopy they cut down.

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