Increase funding for Dutch elm disease in the 2027-2030 budget

In 2026, we saw a record-breaking 11 new cases of Dutch elm disease in Edmonton. We can still avoid mass devastation and canopy loss, but only if we act now.

Urge Council to increase funding for Dutch elm disease mitigation during this critical window of the disease.

It is urgent to sign before the public budget hearings on November 23 and 24, 2026.

Sign the petition
A Winnipeg residential street before Dutch elm disease, shaded by a full canopy of elms Before
The same Winnipeg street after Dutch elm disease, with no trees along the road After
We want to avoid the devastating loss that has happened in cities across North America like Winnipeg. Here is the same residential street before and after DED.

What the 2027-2030 budget says

City Council is deciding the next four-year budget right now (November 2026).

The proposed budget calls Dutch elm disease "a significant threat" to Edmonton's 90,000 public elms, which represent a whopping 22% of our urban forest, and lists the disease as an emerging risk.

However, there is only one package that increases funding for Dutch elm disease management, Climate Implementation Action 15, and it is currently left unfunded.

Edmontonians need to push their councillors to vote yes to adding this package.

Header of the City budget page for Climate Implementation Action 15, Urban Forest and Greenery, marked Council Directed, Unfunded
Proposed 2027-2030 Operating Budget. Action 15 is the only package that increases funding for pest and disease management, and it is marked Unfunded.

The petition

Petition to Edmonton City Council

Edmonton has over 90,000 public elms, one of the largest elm canopies left in North America. Dutch elm disease arrived in 2024 and 2026 brought a record-breaking 11 new cases. We are at a critical window. Acting now can slow the disease, spare taxpayers an astronomical removal expense, and prevent the devastation of our canopy.

We, residents of Edmonton, call on City Council to:

  1. Fund Climate Implementation Action 15, Urban Forest and Greenery, in the 2027-2030 budget. It is the only package that increases funding for Dutch elm disease management, and it is currently unfunded.
  2. Direct Administration to bring a costed, dedicated Dutch elm disease response program to the Spring 2027 budget adjustment, including control of the banded elm bark beetle through removal of Siberian elm deadwood, more frequent pruning of all public elms including those in naturalized areas, more frequent surveillance, treatment and research.
  3. Ask the Province of Alberta to regulate the banded elm bark beetle under the Agricultural Pests Act.
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