One’s 50th birthday is a significant occasion, and most people like to mark it with a special family dinner, cake, and maybe a party. Garry Bhaura, however, wanted to mark the milestone by making a more permanent statement for the benefit of both his community and the planet.
Bhaura, Broker of Record with RE/MAX President Realty in Brampton, Ontario, and Vice Chair of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), planted 50 trees at Claireville Conservation Area during an event organized in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the City of Brampton. He says he wanted to commemorate this moment in his life with an action that reflects his commitment to leaving a positive impact on the environment for future generations.
At the event, Bhaura referenced a Dr. Martin Luther King quote from decades past – “What are you doing for others?”
“I said in my speech, today we answered that question with action, by giving back to the community and the planet. Each tree we plant is a symbol of collective hope and a step towards a more sustainable world. Every time we plant a tree, we don’t just plant a tree only, we are planting hope for a more sustainable world for future generations. I didn’t plant those trees for myself.”
Attendees included Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, City Councillors Rod Power and Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor Gurpartap Toor, Member of Provincial Parliament Hardeep Grewal, Don Kottick, president of Sotheby’s International Canada, Larry Cerqua, CREA’s Immediate Past Chair, Winson Chan, Tridel VP of Sales and CREA’s Regional Director of Ontario, along with members of the RE/MAX President Realty team.
The tree species planted were Red Maple, White Spruce, Hackberry, Trembling Aspen, and Bur Oak, all of which are native to North America. Choosing to plant native species is particularly important for ensuring a resilient ecosystem. These trees are adapted to the local environment, support biodiversity, and require less maintenance. Native species also help preserve the region’s natural landscape and prevent invasive species from taking over, ensuring long-term sustainability. The gesture leaves a tangible legacy, something Bhaura says he looks forward to going to see regularly, as the trees mature, even if it means stopping by briefly on his way to work.
While Bhaura had budgeted two hours to plant the trees, he and fellow volunteers were able to get all 50 trees planted in half an hour. This was thanks to the sheer enthusiasm of participants; each tree had three-to-four people working on it, from digging holes, to mulching and watering.
“It was always in my mind to help combat global warming, for the sustainability of our planet, to do the tree planting,” he explains. “But it’s not stopping here. This journey has just started. I have the right people with me. Now we will continue doing this every year, or maybe a couple of times in the year.”
Bhaura has long sought to give back to the community, a mission he began upon emigrating to Toronto from India in 1995 by cooking for people experiencing homelessness and living in shelters. Today, Bhaura aspires to inspire others to act. Even if it’s one person who plants one tree, he would consider himself successful.
“I encourage my team and tell them that if you plant one tree every year, together we will plant a lot of trees, and these trees provide life.”
Bhaura says it’s not just the oxygen that trees provide, essential for life on the planet, but it’s beautifying the area. The trees are close to the trail at Claireville Conservation Area, so those taking a walk will be able to see them.
“It’s a beautiful trail in that area,” Bhaura says. “I usually walk there every week, or I will bike through there. It’s close to my home and my office. Just to look at them, see the leaves blowing in the wind, it’s a very different feeling.”
Bhaura says he received many phone calls from others inspired to get involved, so the next event promises to be an even bigger community effort.
“I felt so satisfied doing this. It was an immense feeling, that I had done something for others. This was one of the best feelings I ever had. My mother said you did a good job, you should do this more. My father was saying the same thing. My kids were proud, my wife was excited. My friends were there. It was an exciting moment.”
