Did Mark Carney plant a tree that was still in a plastic pot? How social media got it wrong

Article content

Shuv Majumdar, a Conservative MP for the riding of Calgary Heritage, remarked on social media: “So after he’s done this ‘major project,’ someone will have to go back and dig up the tree, remove the plastic pot, then do it right the next time. That tracks.”

Article content

Closer examination of the video and images, however, shows that the sapling was not in a plastic pot (nor a biodegradable one, as several online responses suggested) but was merely pot-shaped from having previously been inside one. A closeup image shows roots poking out of the compacted dirt around the tree.

Article content

A detail of the photo showing Mark Carney planting an oak tree. Photo by Andrew Downes /Getty

Article content

However, some commentators also pointed out the irony of Carney planting a tree after his government announced it would “wind down” Canada’s two billion trees program.

Article content

“As announced in the Federal Fall Budget of 2025, the Government of Canada will wind down the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program,” a recent press release said. “While existing agreements will be honoured, the program is no longer accepting applications.”

Article content

Others noted that Carney flew from Dublin to County Mayo, a 45-minute flight that would have taken just a few hours on the road and would have involved far fewer CO2 emissions.

Article content

National Post has reached out to Majumdar for further comment.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Article content