Did a developer use fake permits to chop down a protected tree?

It was like a staple of the community. That staple, a soaring white fir, now gone without approval from the city. It was cut down along with three other trees at the Setobako property late last month. It's just not acceptable. We need to have consequences and there needs to be accountability. The city and locals had previously fought to protect this white fir, successfully appealing a developer's plan at a local tribunal. But last month, it was cut down anyway. The four trees here came down just one day after the property changed hands. Watching how they just cut it down and dismissed everybody, it was not a good sight. Property records show the new owner is a company. Its directors are two co-founders of real estate developer Mod City. They deny any wrongdoing. These apparent tree removal permits on city letterhead were posted at the property. But the city confirms it did not issue them. That needs to be fully investigated to the full extent of the law. Mod City has been under scrutiny before with allegations of illegal tree removals at various properties across Toronto. The company is facing four tree bylaw offence charges that are before the courts, along with several charges related to noise bylaws. Each offence carries a maximum fine of $100,000. This U of T forestry prof says, generally speaking, those fines may not be enough of a deterrent. Even if they don't follow the rules, they know that that's not going to hurt them. They will earn more money. Under provincial legislation, the city can't deny a developer a building permit because of violating its tree bylaws. I've been approached by all kinds of the neighbours around here about really being upset about it being cut down. So it is bad. It's disturbing. Like I said, why would you reward these people with a building permit? The province didn't answer our emails about the city's request to change the legislation. Rohan Sadana and Ron Shannon with Mod City didn't answer our questions about whether they posted or authorized the posting of fake permits and whether they authorized tree removals without city approval. In an email, Sedana said they strongly dispute wrongdoing. Sarah McMillan, CBC News, Toronto.