Allegations that trees were cut down illegally on a property linked to Toronto rapper Drake are false, a city councillor told CP24 Monday.
Coun.Glenn De Baeremaeker said an investigation was launched after the city received a complaint alleging that trees had been cut down illegally on a Bridle Path property associated with Drake.
“The city received a complaint about an alleged violation of illegal tree cutting down on Drake’s new property where he is building a very large estate, a mansion some would call it,” De Baeremaeker said.
“The investigation is closed. The City of Toronto forestry staff went out to the site. There were absolutely no violations. They’ve talked to the firms doing the work and our city staff say that Drake and the companies he has hired get an A plus or a gold star. They have done everything according to the law. There have been no violations. There have been no large trees cut down.”
The city, De Baeremaeker said, takes every complaint it receives “very seriously” and those who do cut down trees illegally could face a fine of up to $100,000 per tree.
“I’m actually glad that whoever that person was saw some trees being cut down and gave us a call. We depend on the public just like the police do to report complaints and be our eyes and ears on the street,” he said.
“I’m very glad that Drake and the company that he has hired is obeying the law.”
The Ward 38 councillor added that it is important trees are protected in the city.
“Certainly we’ve had theemerald ash borer come into the city and wipe out 800,000 trees. A couple of years ago we had the worst ice storm ever, where we lost about 10 per cent of our tree cover,” De Baeremaeker said.
“Every single standing tree is important.”
