East Gwillimbury, ON, July 6, 2026 — Brian Johns, candidate for Mayor of East Gwillimbury, today announced a practical environmental plan focused on growing the Town's urban forest, conserving water, and activating community gardens in neighbourhoods across the municipality.
"Environmental stewardship starts locally at our parks, along our streets, and in our own backyards," said Johns. "This isn't complicated. When we plant trees, conserve water, and grow food together, we build a greener, healthier community one project at a time."
At the centre of the plan is a commitment to grow East Gwillimbury's urban forest. Johns committed to launching a free tree planting program open to new residents and existing homeowners, building on the Town and York Region’s partnership with the LEAF program, and to reinvesting funds collected through the Town's Tree By-law directly back into planting and canopy expansion. He also committed to establishing an Urban Forest Committee to set a long-term tree planting goal and work toward an Urban Forest Municipality designation for East Gwillimbury.
Johns also announced a Rain Barrel Subsidy Program, open to all new and existing residents and delivered in partnership with local businesses, to support household water conservation and reduce stormwater runoff.
To bring neighbours together around local food, Johns committed to advancing community gardens across the municipality, with proposed locations in Holland Landing, Mount Albert, Sharon, Queensville, and River Drive Park, guided by a new Community Garden Committee.
"These gardens can become hubs for local food, connection, and environmental education," said Johns. "This is environmental action you can see and take part in, right at your doorstep."
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