On April 2, we did our best to convince Members of Parliament to do two things:  1) delay removal of the elm until a full appraisal of the tree's health can occur after it comes into leaf this spring, and 2) to reconsider the currently held assumptions about the size and location of Phase 2 of the Visitor Welcome complex.

Five Liberal MPs on the House of Commons Procedures and House Affairs Committee voted against a motion that would have put a further moratorium on destruction of the centenary elm that sits to the east of Centre Block on Parliament Hill. Four opposition members voted in favour of the motion, put forward by Randall Garrison, a New Democrat from B.C. The motion said: "I move that this committee request a moratorium on the removal of the centenary elm and construction activity that would compromise its health until the end of  June to allow for a further evaluation of the health of the tree and of alternate plans that would allow for its long-term survival."

You can listen to the proceedings of the committee here  http://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/PROC

The way is now clear for the Minister to fire up the chainsaw. Let her know how you feel about that.