The federal government is providing money to help save a tree-planting program in Ontario, cancelled by the Doug Ford government.
A spokesperson for Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says $15-million, which comes from Ottawa's low-carbon economy fund, will help the non-profit Forests Ontario reach its goal of planting 50 million trees by 2025.
Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government cancelled the program in late April, saying the forestry industry is a responsible steward of the province's forests.
Those involved in the program said its cancellation would cause job losses and stall environmental progress.
One of the main nurseries for the program said it would likely have to destroy about three million trees because of the cancellation.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority has received funding of about $620,000 through the 50 million trees program, which has helped to plant up to 500,000 seedlings across Windsor-Essex since 2011.
The federal government announcement is timed to coincide with the United Nations' World Environment Day.
With files from the Canadian Press