Surrey council will vote on a motion May 6 aimed at increasing penalties for removing or otherwise damaging city trees.
Coun. Pardeep Kooner put forward her notice of motion at the April 22 regular council meeting concerning tree protection guidelines, calling on city staff to “bring forward a pathway to increasing penalties for removing or damaging any city trees within one month if approved by council.”
The city in 2021 tweaked penalties under its Tree Protection Bylaw by doubling fines to $20,000 from $10,000 per-offence related to chopping down “significant” trees.