Toronto's new official tree has just been chosen
Torontonians have chosen the oak tree to represent the city.
Mayor John Tory, along with Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, chair of the infrastructure and environment committee, unveiled the city’s official tree at Cedar Ridge Park on Saturday afternoon.
The oak tree was selected by a public vote held from April 21 to May 10.
“Trees do so much for us. They absorb CO2, they provide shade which helps us with energy conservation, they stop erosion which helps deal with flooding and on the list goes,” Tory said at the unveiling.
“This was meant to raise awareness of that fact by having an official tree and making sure people respect it, embrace and show affection to trees, as part of the natural environment and as part of our ambitious goals we have to address climate change,” he added.
Toronto staff engaged with Indigenous representatives to choose the top four trees that most represent the city for the public to vote on. The list included birch, maple, oak and pine.
Nearly 11,000 votes were received with the oak tree receiving 47 per cent of the votes, the maple tree in second place with 31 per cent, the birch tree with 14 per cent and the pine tree received eight per cent of the votes.
The oak tree will become part of the city’s official symbols which currently include a flag, coat of arms and the mayor’s chain of office.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.