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By Kenneth Cheung

TREE CANOPY EXPANSION

Lloydminster eyes federal grant to plant up to 285 new trees across city

Sep 10, 2025 | 12:24 PM

Residents in Lloydminster could see about 285 new trees planted across the city starting next year, as council applies for federal grants to support the project.

The $167,000 plan would be submitted to the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. If approved, Ottawa would cover half the cost, with the city contributing $83,520 from its Recreation and Culture Capital Reserve.

“It’s like $590 a tree, which you’re not putting saplings in, you’re putting in the mature trees, and then caring for them and doing a proper maintenance plan so they don’t die,” said Ryan Hill with the city’s Corporate Services department.

The planting locations would include Bud Miller All Seasons Park, Weaver Park, boulevards along Highways 16 and 17, neighbourhood parks, as well as the cemetery and golf course.

The grant rules mean the project can’t simply replace the city’s existing tree budget. Lloydminster normally spends between $10,000 and $25,000 a year on trees, so the canopy expansion is designed to be an additional investment on top of that.

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Some councillors questioned the value of the spending.

“Do we need these trees or is it just beautification?” asked Coun. Jim Taylor.

Jordan Newton, manager of parks and green spaces, replied that trees may not be essential services like water or roads, but they add long-term value.

“We have tree spruces that are 80 years old that are now starting to hit the end of life. They’re dying and without replenishing the trees, it’s gonna be more bald prairies around here,” Newton said.

“It would be my opinion that we should have ongoing investment into our natural world, including in our community.”

The application deadline is Sept. 18. If successful, the project would begin in 2026 and finish within two years.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com