There could be some changes coming to Toronto's five cent plastic bag fee.

A motion at the mayor's executive committee on Monday night would have had the city manager report on ways to scrap the fee, failed.

Instead the city manager will report in April on incentives for businesses to donate the fee toward protection of the city's tree canopy.

The emerald ash borer bug has been responsible for a lot of damage to the canopy and the money from the plastic bag fee would be used to help battle the infestation.

Those who favour the fee point to a reduction in plastic bag use in Toronto.

Opponents say it is unknown what many businesses do with the fee once it's collected.

Mayor Rob Ford, deputy mayor Doug Holyday and Coun. Paul Ainslie voted to eliminate the fee.