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A Freedom of Information response revealed that City of Victoria staff stated in February 2024 that none of the trees in Centennial Square met the criteria for removal.

The document provides compelling evidence that counters later claims by City of Victoria councillors that the trees are unsafe.

The document also underscores that the only reason to remove the trees would be to accommodate a new design plan.

By Mary Fowles
June 6, 2025

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In contrast, throughout the Minutes of the July 4, 2024 City of Victoria Committee of the Whole at which the new design plan was voted on by the council, trees in Centennial Square that conflicted with the design plan were referred to as “unsafe trees”.

Excerpts:

Source: eSCRIBE Minutes

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See also:

Index of documentation related to Centennial Square and the Sequoia – CRD Watch Homepage

Calls for saving the Sequoia mount as the City of Victoria Council receives growing public scrutiny over a lack of transparency, and among indications of what may be gross inconsistencies on the issue.  – CRD Watch Homepage

The Secret Life of Public Trees: The City of Victoria will not release the details of an initial arborist’s report which assessed all the trees in Centennial Square. – CRD Watch Homepage

Centennial Square to become a “living room” for downtown condo dwellers in the absence of public park space by Mary Fowles – CRD Watch Homepage

Petition · Save the Mighty Sequoia Tree at Centennial Square, Victoria BC, from Wrongful Demolition – Victoria, Canada · Change.org