The day after the PC's delivered their budget, Forests Ontario was told the 50 Million Tree Program is being eliminated.
CEO of Forests Ontario, Rob Keen, said since 2008 more than 27 million trees have been planted across Ontario through the program.
Keen says the program's annual budget was about $4.7 million, and was told it was being cancelled as a way to cut provincial costs.
“Premier Ford wants to reduce the deficit and this was...something they thought was expendable,” Keen said.
Those involved are warning the move will lead to the loss of jobs and environmental benefits that forests provide.
Although initially started as a carbon sequestration program, Keen says planting that many trees also helps clean the air and water, protect shorelines and reduce erosion.