Residents of Knowlton, Quebec, are expressing outrage after approximately 90 trees were cut down on public land, allegedly to enhance the view from a nearby home owned by Pierre Beaudoin, chairman of Bombardier's board of directors. Angus Culley, a local resident, has taken friends on boat tours of Brome Lake to showcase the stark landscape changes. "People are generally aghast," Culley said. "When someone goes and cuts the trees in a straight line across an entire island, you assume that the authorities or someone in authority has some say over what's going on."

The tree cutting, which took place in December, has sparked significant controversy within the small Eastern Townships community. Residents are questioning who is responsible for the actions taken by a local tree maintenance company, which claims to have received proper authorization from the city. However, the mayor of Brome Lake stated that the city was unaware of the work and did not approve it.

The situation has escalated to the point where Beaudoin and the city are at an impasse. The backlash has prompted Canada's leading public relations firm to issue communications on behalf of both Beaudoin and the tree maintenance company.

Marc Pelletier, a resident who posted about the incident on social media, described the tree cutting as "a massacre" and noted that this is not the first instance of unauthorized tree removal in the area. He expressed concern that fines imposed on homeowners do not deter wealthy individuals from clearing trees to improve their views and property values. "I've been hoping that it'll go a lot further this time," Pelletier said, emphasizing the need for accountability.

The tree maintenance company, EGH Inc., maintains that it acted within the law. They assert that Beaudoin was issued a permit for the work, although the permit specified "riverbank work" without mentioning the municipal property. The company claims the cutting was done with the cooperation of the municipality, as a town employee opened a gate to allow access.

Mayor Richard Burcombe confirmed that a town employee did facilitate access but clarified that the town does not issue permits for cutting on municipal land. "They believe that they had the necessary authorization … the town believes otherwise," he said. Burcombe acknowledged the residents' frustrations and indicated that legal action may be considered to resolve the matter.

Arborist Shawn Danaher assessed the situation and noted that most of the trees cut were healthy. He described the cutting as "pretty intense" and estimated that the pines were between 13 to 18 meters tall before being reduced to just over six meters. "Most of these trees that I'm looking at were obviously perfectly healthy," Danaher stated.

Experts warn that cutting the tops of trees can expose them to pests and environmental stress, potentially leading to long-term health issues. Janani Sivarajah, an assistant professor of urban forestry, explained that tree topping can compromise their health and increase the risk of falling branches.

The incident has ignited a broader discussion about environmental protection and the influence of wealth in local governance. Alan Gauthier, a local business owner and mayoral candidate, highlighted the disparity in how fines affect affluent individuals compared to those with fewer resources. "It's easy for the most affluent to write a check for $5,000. It'll hurt the guy living in a cabin, but it won't hurt a guy living in a mansion," he said.

As the community grapples with the implications of the tree cutting, residents continue to voice their concerns about environmental stewardship and accountability in local governance.