Kheon Clarke
Forests Ontario and the provincial government will be planting 117 thousand trees along the Highway of Heroes in honor of fallen soldiers.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said this is an excellent way to pay homage to Canada’s vets.
“The benefits of this partnership are twofold. It allows us to honor the men and women who have given their lives in service of our country,” Del Duca said.
A variety of locally grown trees will be planted along the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto.
“This tribute will remind those travelling the highway of the great appreciation and respect we owe those who fought and sacrificed for our country,” Monte Kwinter, MPP for York Centre, said.
Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland and the representative for the Trenton area, said in the press release the Highway of Heroes has grown from people leaving signs on the highways to show respect for the fallen soldiers.
“Trenton represents the starting point of the final journey of a fallen soldier,” Rinaldi said. “The tree planting partnership is another excellent honour that we can bestow on the fallen.”
The chair of the Highway of Heroes said they are pleased to be part of this tribute.
“We are delighted to partner with the Ontario government on this meaningful, living tribute to veterans, and to those who have given their lives in service of Canada,” Mark Cullen said.
Forest Ontario will be responsible for the tree planting and maintenance.
The project is expected to start in spring of 2016 with ceremonial tree plantings each end of the route.
The project will take five years to complete.