Terrasse-Vaudreuil, a small town in Quebec, has made a surprising decision to officially recognize trees as living beings with inherent rights. On June 9, the city council adopted a resolution declaring that trees possess the "right to life, to natural growth, to integrity, and to regeneration." While protecting trees is a noble endeavor, this move raises questions about the town's priorities.
Unborn children in Terrasse-Vaudreuil and across Canada are not afforded the same protection as trees. Quebec has one of the highest abortion rates in the country, with over 22,000 abortions performed in 2024. In contrast, trees are being granted rights that are typically reserved for human beings. This disparity is striking, especially considering that unborn children possess their own unique DNA, grow, and develop from the earliest stages of life.
The Terrasse-Vaudreuil resolution highlights a profound moral confusion. Mayor Michel Bourdeau believes that trees are living entities that breathe and communicate through their root systems, likening them to human beings. However, an unborn child is not "like" a human being; they are a human being, with a beating heart, a unique genetic identity, and a real biological relationship with their mother.
The irony is stark. A Quebec town is expending public energy recognizing the value of trees while unborn children, who possess an immeasurably higher form of life and therefore a far greater dignity, are left without protection. This is a society that has lost its moral bearings, prioritizing the well-being of trees over that of its youngest members.
The Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Tree emphasizes the importance of fraternity and solidarity towards trees. However, human rights should take precedence. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of the person." When it comes to balancing claims, the rights of human beings must come first.
It is time for Canada to get its priorities straight. If we can recognize the value of a tree, we can certainly recognize the humanity of an unborn child. By doing so, we can ensure that our society values human life above all else.
