Why is a Quebec town giving rights to trees?

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 ar...