CNLA Newsbrief Magazine Spring 2022 by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

SPRING 2022 - Vol. 31 Issue 1

YEAR OF THE GARDEN KICKOFF!

SKILLS CANADA NATIONAL COMPETITION

CLEAN AIR CALCULATOR FOR SPRING

GROUP RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS

NEWLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS

INSIDE: a preview of our Centennial book SINCE 1922 CNLA - CENTENNIAL LOGO 2022

A S S O C I AT I O N U P D AT E

LO Past President joins CNLA Board of Directors BY STUART SERVICE

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO PAST PRESIDENT Dave Wright was destined to work in the landscaping industry, working part time in high school in the family business’ maintenance division. “I was born into the industry,” Wright said. The story of Wright Landscape Services began in 1967, when Wright’s father, John Wright, established what was then called Wright Lawn Care in Bloomingdale, Ontario. Dave Wright determined while working on design and build projects that his back wasn’t going to survive the rigors of manual labour, “but I still wanted to be in the industry,” he said. Wright landed a job in Houston upon graduating from the University of Guelph’s Landscape Architecture program before he “ended up on the west coast in Vancouver building municipal parks, malls and condo towers,” he said. Wright said that the joy of designing those projects was frequently met with frustrating obstacles. “As a landscape architect you’re designing projects that you’re always fighting with the contractor to get built right,” he recalled. “And then you’re fighting with the owner or the client to invest the money to maintain it.” The solution to this was clear at around the time when Wright’s father was contemplating retirement in the late ‘90s. His idea was to bring a holistic approach to his father’s maintenance business, where designing, building and maintaining could all be done under the same roof. The wheels for that concept began turning in 2002, when Dave and John Wright became business partners. John retired four years later, handing the reins over to Dave, who is currently celebrating his 20th year with Wright Landscape Services. During those two decades, the proof of the success of Dave Wright’s concept of a holistic approach to landscaping can be measured by the company’s tenfold increase in revenue. “The last 20 years have been a real ride for me with the growth of the company,” he said. When asked about getting involved with Landscape Ontario, Wright said “again, I was born into it,” recalling attending Congress in the ‘80s, back when the annual industry trade show was held at Copps Coliseum. When Wright became LO president in January 2020, the threat of a global pandemic was imminent. Through the creation of the LO Covid-19 Task Force, up to date information was made available to members, which ultimately helped the industry get back to work safely and as soon as possible. “Just the way we handled information and getting it out to everybody, and we’re really seeing the results of that now with the increase in our membership.” The CNLA welcomed Wright to its board of directors in January. After attending his first meeting, Wright said he was “amazed” at how much the national association is involved with. “It’s such a wide breadth of the profession, from the growers to the garden centres to the landscape contractors into the federal level lobbying,” Wright said. “And we managed to get it all done in basically a day and a half.” For more information, contact Stuart Service, Media Coordinator email: stuart@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President Past President First Vice President & Communications Chair Second Vice President Treasurer & Climate Change and Adaptation Chair

Anthony O’Neill - NL Phil Paxton, CLHT, CLHM - AB

Bill Hardy, CLHM - BC Anita Heuver - AB Alan White - ON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BCLNA Landscape AB Landscape SK MBNLA Landscape ON Landscape NS Garden Centres Canada Chair Landscape NB/PEI & Member Services Chair & Insurance Chair Landscape NL Landscape Canada Chair Research Chair Government Relations Chair Professional Development Development Chair & Human Resources Chair Growers Canada Chair

Michael Kato - BC Jeff Oudyk - AB Aaron Krahn - SK Guy Dowhy, RSE, CLHT, CLHM - MB Dave Wright, CLD, CLHM- ON David Thompson - NS Robin Godfrey - NS

Kevin Nauss, CLHM - NB Peggy Head - NL Peter Guinane - ON Vic Krahn, CLHT - SK Christene LeVatte - NS Jeff Foley, CLHT, CLHM - BC Jeff Olsen - ON

CNLA STAFF

Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CLHM, CAE, victor@cnla-acpp.ca Deputy Executive Director Rebecca Doutre, CLHM, CAE, rebecca@cnla-acpp.ca Finance & Administration Cheryl Gall, CAE Manager cheryl@cnla-acpp.ca Growers Sector Jamie Aalbers Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca Communities in Bloom Sonia Parrino Program Specialist bloom@cib-cef.com Landscape & Retail Sector Anne Kadwell, CLHT Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca Industry & Government Leslie Sison, CAE Relations Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca Communications Dave Mazur Specialist dave@cnla-acpp.ca Communications Lauryn Mullan Coordinator lauryn@cnla-acpp.ca Media Stuart Service Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services Teagan Schroeder Specialist teagan@cnla-acpp.ca Administrative Coordinator Megan Farias / COPF Coordinator megan@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services Nicole Xavier Coordinator nicole@cnla-acpp Certification Edith Oyosoro Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca Environmental Frydda Sandoval Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca Landscape NL ED Christine Finn / CNLA Special Projects Christine@cnla-acpp.ca Minor Use Peter Isaacson B.Sc. MPM / IPM Coordinator peter@cnla-acpp.ca

A S S O C I AT I O N U P D AT E

New LNS Rep Brings Unique Resume to CNLA Board BY STUART SERVICE

FORMER COMMERCIAL LAWYER and longtime business owner David Thompson joins the board of directors for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association as the new representative from Landscape Nova Scotia.

Thompson practiced law for about 13 years with BoyneClarke LLP in Dartmouth, N.S., and Lang Michener in Vancouver, B.C. “As a lawyer primarily for small business owners I did a little bit of everything,” Thompson said. “I had a fairly broad exposure to a number of different legal areas that typical business owners run into.” When his father, who purchased a Weed Man franchise in 1992, was considering retirement, Thompson decided he was ready to switch careers and to take over the family business. “I had been advising people for a long time on what they should do with their business,” he said. “I got to the stage where maybe I should stop advising people on what to do and try to do it myself.” In 2009, Thompson purchased his father’s Weed Man franchises in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. “I was able to hit the ground running in a lot of ways,” Thompson said, adding that his legal background familiarized him with many of the day to day tasks of managing a business. “I was used to dealing with accountants, used to dealing with financial advisors,” he said. “But there’s a ‘but’ with all that. You never know what you don’t know until you find out you don’t know it.” When Thompson started in his new career, he realized that marketing and managing a team of more than 30 employees were two of the more challenging aspects in the beginning. “The learning curve was probably a lot steeper than I anticipated,” he said. “I made lots of mistakes along the way,” Thompson added. “But over time I’ve become more educated on those things.” As Thompson found his stride, he purchased two more Weed Man locations in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

Thompson remains actively involved with his provincial association at Landscape Nova Scotia. He said his involvement with LNS began soon after he joined Weed Man. “I wanted to get to know not just my own business but also get to know the industry I had joined,” he continued. “So I thought a great way to do that would be to join the Landscape Nova Scotia board.” Thompson quickly became a crucial part of the board, lending his expertise to assist the association with communicating to Nova Scotia’s provincial government, which was in the midst of revising its pesticide legislation. “When I joined the board, I quickly got drafted into that effort to speak and lobby on behalf of our industry,” he said. “Because it directly affected my business and because of my legal training.” Thompson served as LNS president from 2016 to 2018 and continues to be involved. “There’s strength in numbers,” Thompson said. “In a small association like ours in a relatively small province population-wise like Nova Scotia, I think it’s really important to come together as an industry and to work together cooperatively on issues,” He added. “When we get someone who’s willing to put up their hand and roll up their sleeves, I think they can make a real difference in the industry and have a significant impact.” In his new role with the CNLA Board, Thompson said he is “all ears” when it comes to learning about what the national association is doing. “I’m very impressed with the impact CNLA has on behalf of our industry in the government relations field,” he said. “That’s probably something I’ll gravitate towards.” For more information, contact Stuart Service, Media Coordinator email: stuart@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

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A S S O C I AT I O N U P D AT E

Enterprising Landscaper Appointed as Chair of Landscape Canada Committee BY STUART SERVICE

PETER GUINANE BRINGS to the CNLA

Board of Directors decades of experience in the horticultural industry as a business owner and volunteer. While a student in university, Guinane created his own summer job by starting a landscaping business, Oriole Landscaping Ltd., with his neighbour, George Urvari, in 1986. “I thought it would just be a lot of fun and be easy,” Guinane recalled. “It’s still a lot of fun. Though not easy, we’ve learned how to run the business like a business, to make a living, and to enjoy a decent quality of life.” The landscape of landscaping has changed in both size and complexity over the decades. Although Guinane noted that there have always been big companies doing extraordinarily professional, high-quality installations, those kinds of projects were anomalies. A common theme among Toronto properties was to install patio slabs and junipers along the house as a foundation planting. “It is now more ubiquitous to have a properly designed, properly landscaped space around your living quarters,” Guinane said. “People are putting more money into it now as a result.” He said that the complexity of the jobs has been matched by increased professionalism and skill within the industry. “We have made huge strides in training staff and in developing products,” he said. “A lot of the manufacturers in our industry provide training to install some revolutionary innovations for our industry. I think that has made it easier to build complex landscapes. “I think we’re all better off for it in that sense.” Guinane first got involved with Landscape Ontario through the association’s launch of Canada Blooms in 1996. “It was a gamechanger for how our profession could be showcased to the public,” he said. Prior to 1996, “Canada never had a dedicated flower garden and landscape show like that. It was always sort of a tagalong with other trade shows.” When Guinane arrived at Blooms, he noted that every builder was producing inspired work, and would raise the bar further each year. “I did my best at the time in that first show,” he said. “It was exciting to work with peers, it was rewarding to be able to build those gardens, and it was fruitful. We got a lot of work out of those shows.” SPONSORED BY:

In order to build that first display garden at Canada Blooms, Guinane needed Oriole Landscaping to be registered as a Landscape Ontario member. “Until I revally got involved with Landscape Ontario I didn’t fully appreciate the value,” he said. LO quickly became Guinane’s hub for networking, for discovering suppliers and products, and for education opportunities for both himself and his staff. “We jumped in with both feet,” he said. “My business partner and I have volunteered back to the association. We receive more than enough in return for that time and those efforts and it’s very rewarding.” Recently, Guinane has been involved with the Green Cities Foundation, a charitable organization founded by the CNLA aimed at increasing urban green spaces across the country. Guinane is volunteering his time to help revitalize the surroundings of St Matthews House in Hamilton. The project at the Barton Village area daycare, slated to be completed this summer, aims to green an exceedingly paved area of the city. A section of the parking lot will also be converted into a green space for the community to enjoy. “There was a lot of asphalt,” he recalled from his initial site visit. “There were pylons to protect against old foundations that were sticking out of the ground.” The daycare’s parking lot will get a much needed overhaul, including a natural playground and a line of native trees and shrubs to create a buffer from the busy streets adjacent to the property. “You have to have green space to really fully gain appreciation for the world around us and help cultivate a positive attitude about the world in general,” Guinane said. “I think it will make a big difference for everyone in that neighborhood,” he said. “I think that’ll be better for all of us in the long run, if we can lift those people that can’t afford to do it.” Guinane is looking forward to the opportunity of his new role as chair of the Landscape Canada Committee. “I anticipate that it will be a good learning experience for me,” he said. “I do have some ideas of what I can bring and what I can help drive at the CNLA to make our profession more effective nationally.” For more information, contact Stuart Service, Media Coordinator email: stuart@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

INSURANCE

Canadians’ confidence in personal finances reaches lowest level ever recorded.

Group Retirement Solutions Invest in your Employee’s Future BY MARTINA HORN-GROOME, GBA

ACCORDING TO THE MNP

Consumer Debt Index, nearly one-third of Canadians are finding it harder to pay down their debt, and 20 per cent are struggling to set aside money for savings. Employers can make a difference in the lives of their employees by promoting financial wellness and supporting their transition to retirement. Employers that invest in the financial well-being of their employees can benefit from a healthier and more productive workplace. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made a significant impact on everyone’s lives and their personal financial situation, it is

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

important to find ways to pay down debt and save for your future. Balancing short- and long-term financial obligations is not easy. In fact, 74% of Canadians worry about their savings and how to balance immediate financial priorities against long-term needs. Employers can help support the well-being of their employee’s and create a more productive workplace by providing a comprehensive group benefits and retirement savings program. In today’s competitive employment landscape, attracting and retaining talent has become a challenge for many. Our team can help you review and enhance your total compensation package to ensure your

organization is competitive within relevant industries that compete for talent. Company-sponsored retirement savings programs are a great way to invest in the financial future of your employees and provide several benefits: l Automatic payroll deductions l Convenient transfer of money to your retirement savings account, providing immediate tax savings and the advantage of dollar cost averaging. Employer matching contributions l If your plan sponsor offers a matching contribution, you will receive free money towards your

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INSURANCE

l l

retirement savings account from your employer. Preferred investment management fees Participating in a group retirement savings plan gives you preferred (lower) investment management fees. Investment flexibility and choice Your group retirement savings plan will give you increased flexibility over your investment options by allowing free inter-fund transfers. Customized service and support Access to customized service and support will help ensure you are well informed about your plan and all the options available to you. Education and guidance Access to financial wellness education including articles, bulletins, infographics, and webinars as well as individual financial planning services.

JULY 12-14

COAST PLAZA HOTEL EDMONTON, ALBERTA

www.cnla.ca/events/garden-centres-canada-summit

Our team is here to support you. For more information, contact a representative at 1-833-558-0212 or grs.info@peoplecorporation.com. For more information, contact Martina Groome, Account Manager email: martina.groome@peoplecorporation.com https://peoplecorporation.com

REFERENCES: 1. https://mnpdebt.ca/en/resources/ mnp-consumer-debt-index 2. https://www.canada.ca/en/ financial-consumer-agency/ services/financial-wellnesswork/stress-impacts.html 3. https://www.benefitscanada. com/news/bencan/two-thirds-ofcanadians-would-leave-job-fora-group-savings-plan-survey/ 4. https://cibc.mediaroom.com/201802-08-Am-I-saving-enough-toretire-Vast-majority-of-Canadiansjust-dont-know-CIBC-poll#assets_all 5. http://www.rbc.com/newsroom/ news/2020/20200226minding-the-gap.html

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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Newly Certified Professionals BY EDITH OYOSORO

NAME

DESIGNATION

PROVINCE

Pierce Dushenko

CLHT

Cory King

CLHT

Kristy Carse

CLHT

Jared Ellerbeck

CLD

John Bright

CLD

JOIN THE LHCP SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Are you certified or do your work for an Accredited Landscape Horticulture Company? If you are, this is an invitation to participate in the social media campaign to promote certification. Submit short posts and video testimonials of yourself at work or performing fun activities alone or with your team. While submissions showing nursery and landscape related activities recorded at a job site are preferable, those that promote the industry through song, playing an instrument, reciting a poem, or doing a dance, play or other fun activities are equally welcome. Send individual and/or group photos of your staff at work or performing a fun activity individually or as a team. Staff could be dressed in work gear with PPE or in their company swag. Briefly describe what is taking place in the photo and share what you love most about working in the industry. We equally welcome a short video of your team at a job site or promoting the industry at a fun event. Include the phrase ‘Get Certified Get Hired!’ in your recording. Include your name, company name, any industry related awards or recognitions previously received, the name of your town/city and province and let us know the social media handles you would like tagged in your post.

DIGITAL WALLET CARDS FOR CERTIFIED MEMBERS

If you are LHCP certified, download and proudly present your Digital Wallet Card as proof that you have the required skills and competencies to practice as a landscape horticulturist across Canada. Your digital card displays your certifications and your recertification date. It can be installed on two mobile devices, and you have the option to upload a passport-style photo. For questions, assistance or more information about professional development, email certification@cnla-acpp.ca.

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

For more information, contact Edith Oyosoro, CNLA Professional Development email: edith@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

SPONSORED BY:

C L I M AT E C H A N G E & A D A P TAT I O N

Clean Air Calculator will launch in Spring 2022 BY FRYDDA SANDOVAL

THE GLOBAL CLIMATE is changing, and local weather patterns are becoming more extreme. The last decade has been the warmest on Planet Earth for 125,000 years, with average temperatures being 1.1 degrees higher than the pre-industrial era less than two centuries ago. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021 report, this warming is causing tangible changes in weather and climate across the globe.

carbon balance and alleviating the rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, the importance of the urban landscape is not always communicated in terms of the environmental, social and economic benefits. They contribute to monetary value, help local ecosystems thrive, and contribute to carbon capture, water conservation, and other critical sustainability efforts. The Clean Air Calculator’s mission is to create awareness about the value of urban landscapes. Together, can we do more for clean air and water by protecting, managing and advocating for more greenery in our communities?

The Climate Change Adaptation is a committee of chairs with a mandate to act as CNLA’s connection point to climate issues, facilitating consistent messaging and direction among the association commodities and sector groups. The committee is mandated to develop tools, create awareness, and position our products and services as part of the climate solution.

In simple terms, the tool uses data from the literature reviewed, published studies and Geographical Information System (GIS) platform to create public awareness. GIS maps are interactive. On the computer screen, map users can scan a GIS map in any direction, zoom in or out. The users will explore green spaces, including urban tree canopy, turfgrass fields, gardens, home lawns and soccer fields.

The landscape horticulture value chain ranges from primary producers growing plants our cities need; garden centers that bring knowledge and plants to the consumer; and professional landscapers that design, build and nurture the urban landscapes we call home. The holistic nature of our organization represents an opportunity to impact and influence government/public policy and promote living green infrastructure in Canadian cities.

The user-friendly design will guide users through steps, from locating the landscape, drawing a free-form polygon on the map, selecting the vegetation type, and analyzing the data. The Climate change Adaptation Committee is expecting to launch the tool in the Spring of 2022!

WHAT IS THE CLEAN AIR CALCULATOR?

Urban landscapes do more than beautify communities; they do good. Plants act as a carbon sink and play an important role in sustaining life on earth, adjusting SPONSORED BY:

https://cnla.ca

For more information, contact Frydda Sandoval, CNLA Environmental Policy Coordinator email: frydda@cnla-acpp.ca

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

C E N T E N N I A L C E L E B R AT I O N

The Evolutution of the Ornamental Horticulture Industry in Canada BY RITA WEERDENBURG

IN THE WINTER OF 2021, CNLA

hosted three sector-specific video meetings attended by experienced industry reps from across Canada who willingly shared their recollections and expertise on the growth and evolution of the landscape, nursery grower and retail garden centre sectors respectively. Their insightful comments will form the basis of a chapter on the growth and evolution of the ornamental horticulture industry. The following are very brief excerpts from that chapter. The Anniversary Book will be launched at the CNLA’s Anniversary Gala in August of 2022. CNLA - CENTENNIAL LOGO 2022

LANDSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SECTOR

The history of the paving stone dates to Roman times, however it was the need to repair war-damaged roadways in Europe that resulted in the development of an efficient manufacturing process in the late 1960s. Their inevitable introduction to the North American marketplace occurred a few short years later. Over time, dozens of manufacturers produced an almost endless array of design and colour combinations and demand surged within the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. As the installation process required skilled labour and specialized equipment, paving stone patios, walkways, driveways and retaining walls added a whole new profit centre to the landscape sector.

RETAIL GARDEN CENTRE SECTOR

Beginning in the 1990s, there was a new player in the retail marketplace, generically referred to as box stores or mass merchandisers. With their larger no-frills warehouse style of retailing, the box stores and their lower prices were irresistible to the average consumer and the havoc and upheaval created by them especially in early days, was felt by retailers of all commodities. It was only a matter of time before the mass merchandiser would start selling not just tools and fertilizers, but ornamental plants as well. Practically overnight, the retail garden centre sector was comprised of two distinct types of retailers – the mass merchandiser or box store and the independent. The foray by the mass merchandiser into the retail garden centre sector was the cause of a great deal of angst in those earlier years. Many independent garden centres demanded that nursery growers make a choice – sell to them or to us, but you can’t sell to both was their message.

By the early 2000s, the predominance of interlocking stone as a paver resulted in some resurgence of natural stone as a paving alternative. Considering the relatively low cost to supply and install concrete pavers, in contrast to their natural stone alternatives, it seems unlikely that this trend will spell the demise of the paving stone as an important landscape element anytime soon.

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

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C E N T E N N I A L C E L E B R AT I O N

NURSERY GROWER SECTOR

Like the landscape and landscape maintenance sectors, access to an adequate and reliable source of labour has been integral to the success of the nursery production sector. Also similar to their colleagues, from the 1950s through to the 1980s, the nursery industry enjoyed good access to European immigrant labour and especially from countries such as Portugal and Italy. Noted Manuel Sobrinho of Sheridan Nurseries, whenever Sheridan Nurseries needed more labour, key supervisory employees such as himself were sent “home” for a vacation and a mission to recruit more workers. Unlike the landscape sector, however, by the time this European labour force began to age and retire, the nursery grower sector in Ontario already had access to the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Introduced to Canada in the late 1960s, this federal government program made workers available to the agricultural and horticultural sectors, initially from Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, and eventually from Mexico.

BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to immortalize your contribution to the last 100 years of horticulture in Canada. Contact Dave Mazur, CNLA Communications Specialist, to book your space! dave@cnla-acpp.ca 1.888.446.3499 x8615

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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

G O V E R N M E N T R E L AT I O N S

Horticulture Takes Positive Steps for 2022 with Events and Support for Workers BY LESLIE SISON & ANNE KADWELL

THE SKILLS CANADA NATIONAL COMPETITION (SCNC) is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. Each year, more than 550 competitors from all regions of Canada come to SCNC to participate in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions. This event also includes several “Try a Trade” stations, which provide a hands-on opportunity for students to experience the trades. After a cancelled year and a virtual competition last year due to COVID-19, Landscape Horticulture is happy to be competing again this year. In November 2021, the CNLA Skills subcommittee met for the first time in a long while. The Skills Canada organization has now regrouped and is back up and running. We have a strong committee that is excited about the year ahead. COVID is still very much in play, provinces have different rules and regulations which could affect provincial competitions, potentially making this an interesting year. We will persevere,

push on and put on an amazing competition in Vancouver in 2022. CNLA has signed a five-year contract to support Skills through annual sponsorship which is used for these unique competitions. The landscape competition exhibits everything the landscape profession has to offer to lead to awareness and future opportunities for all those who attend. CNLA continues to have brand recognition at all Skills events including their virtual career exploration events; Skills Trade and Technology and Level Up. The most recent virtual participation was at the 17th National Skilled Trade and Technology Week where CNLA continues to raise awareness about career opportunities in our landscape trade to students, parents and stakeholders across Canada. This year the Skills Canada National Competition returns to an in-person event for the first time in two years at the Vancouver Convention Center on May 25-28. The competition will be held over two days on May 26-27th.

CNLA has signed a five year contract to sponsor the Skills Canada Competitions, which are expected to return in person in 2022.

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

Additionally, the 2022 Skills Canada National Competition also represents a qualifying year to compete at WorldSkills in Shanghai. As SCC could not host an in-person event in 2021, the members of WorldSkills Team Canada 2022 will be selected at SCNC 2022 where the WorldSkills Team Canada 2022 Selection Event will be hosted. This competition will be held concurrently during SCNC in Vancouver, and youth from across the country may have the opportunity to compete in the selection event for the 27 Skill Areas that Canada will participate in during WorldSkills Shanghai 2022. The winner in each of these Skill Areas will be named to WorldSkills Team Canada 2022 and actively train to compete in Shanghai for the title of world champion in their respective area.

COVID EXTENSIONS OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS

As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to evolve, the government of Canada has announced new proposed legislation to extend the Canadian Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB). Details about when and how to apply for additional CRSB periods will be provided as more information becomes available. The government has already announced that it has extended the Worker Income Protection Benefit program, which provides paid sick days, until July 31, 2022. The CRSB gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a one-week period. SPONSORED BY:

G O V E R N M E N T R E L AT I O N S If your situation continues, you will need to apply again. You may apply for up to a total of weeks between September 27, 2020 and May 7, 2022.

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM

TFWP - LMIA APPLICATION CHANGES - ADVERTISING REQUIREMENT In an effort to streamline the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is implementing a temporary policy change to policy requirements for advertising and recruitment. Effective January 12, ESDC will suspend minimum advertising requirements for employers applying for an LMIA to hire temporary foreign workers in primary agriculture. While this temporary suspension of an important program requirement will result in Service Canada not reviewing advertising and recruitment information in its assessment of LMIA applications, employers are expected to continue efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents. This measure will be in effect for applications submitted to Service Canada on or before June 30, 2022. For more information on applying for an LMIA, please visit Service Canada’s website [https:// www.canada.ca/en/employmentsocial-development/services/ foreign-workers/agricultural.html]. TFWP – QUARANTINE INFORMATION The following is information as of January 14, 2022, on the current requirements for the arrival into Canada, testing, quarantine and isolation, and vaccination requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). NOTICE: As public health guidance is rapidly evolving and the information is subject to change, we encourage you to validate the most current federal requirements by visiting the various Government of Canada websites identified in the following, as well as the specific provincial requirements. SPONSORED BY:

Arrival into Canada: l All TFWs should download the ArriveCAN application on their phones and use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information before their entry into Canada. The application is free and available in English, French and Spanish. TFWs can also use the desktop/ web version. A printed ArriveCAN receipt is acceptable as proof and can be used by travellers for purposes of boarding a flight. - Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada Canada.ca l Each individual arriving into Canada is responsible for following all health and safety measures put forward by the federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal health authorities. The travel.gc.ca page is updated regularly and contains the most recent information regarding what to do to prepare to come to Canada and upon arrival into Canada. l For an overview of the requirements for TFWs travelling to Canada along with links to sites about the most recent information regarding Canada’s border policies, please refer to the COVID-19 guide for temporary foreign workers. Testing, Quarantine and Isolation: l From a federal standpoint, for the purposes of border entry, the Government of Canada considers a person fully vaccinated if they have received a full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada. l Fully vaccinated TFWs are subject to the same testing and quarantine requirements as other fully vaccinated individuals entering Canada. l Currently (as of December 18, 2021), all fully vaccinated travellers, including TFWs, entering Canada are subject to mandatory random testing on arrival, as instructed by a government official. - If randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test, the TFW: 1. Must take the arrival test as directed on the day they enter Canada. The test may be administered at the airport or they may

receive a self-swab kit at the airport or land border to complete within 24 hours after entering Canada; 2. can take connecting flights to their place of quarantine; 3. All TFWs who have been in a country other than Canada or the United States must quarantine in a suitable place while they await the arrival test result; and 4. may leave quarantine when they get a negative arrival test result. If the test result is positive, OR they develop symptoms, TFWs must isolate immediately for 10 days beginning on the date on the test result. - Refer to travel.gc.ca for more details. l Testing capacity continues to increase to support arrival testing at Canadian ports of entry. Until further notice,

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program is implementing a temporary policy change to policy requirements for advertising and recruitment.

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

G O V E R N M E N T R E L AT I O N S mandatory random testing for fully vaccinated TFWs will continue through a combination of testing at airports and take-home self-swab kits distributed at the border. - TFWs who are selected to receive a self-swab kit will be instructed to take their test under video supervision with the test provider at their place of quarantine. - All travellers arriving in Canada by air, including TFWs, are strongly encouraged to pre-register with the federal testing provider (e.g. Switch Health, Dynacare etc.) that will do the testing at their airport of arrival. To pre-register with a test provider, go to travel.gc.ca. l The testing and quarantine requirements for unvaccinated TFWs entering Canada have not changed and for additional details regarding unvaccinated travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 arriving in Canada by land, air or water please refer to Canada.ca for more details. l There are currently no changes to the criteria of a suitable place of quarantine and employers of TFWs should plan quarantine and isolation of TFWs accordingly. For additional information on suitable quarantine plan criteria, please visit travel.gc.ca at https:// travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travelrestrictions/isolation and https:// travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/ travel-restrictions/isolation/ quarantine-start. Provincial and local public health authorities may also have additional requirements that continue to apply in addition to federal border measures. l In the event of an outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, employers who provide accommodations and have TFWs onsite will be asked to immediately advise Service Canada. Employers can inform Service Canada by sending an email message to: ESDC.ISB. QUARANTINEQUARANTAINE. DGSI.EDSC@servicecanada.gc.ca l General information on quarantine and isolation measures and best practices is available for Fully vaccinated TFWs arriving in

Canada, Unvaccinated TFWs arriving in Canada and Symptomatic TFWs arriving in Canada. The Government of Canada has also recently announced funding for COVID-19 Safe Voluntary Isolation Sites in British Columbia and Manitoba. The Safe Voluntary Isolation Sites Program directly supports cities, municipalities and health regions that are at-risk of COVID-19 community transmission. Sites selected under the Program provide an accessible location where people can safely self-isolate for the required period. Local public health officials determine eligible people who may be offered the option to transfer to the isolation site on a voluntary basis to keep them and their household contacts safe during an outbreak in their community. In addition, public health guidance and information on Prevention and Risks of COVID-19 can be found online at: https://www.canada.ca/ en/public-health/services/diseases/ 2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/ prevention-risks.html; and https:// www.canada.ca/en/public-health/ services/diseases/2019novel-coronavirus-infection/ guidance-documents.html.

Vaccination requirements: l As of January 15th 2022, all TFWs will need to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Canada, unless they are in the primary agriculture and food-processing sector. TFWs in the agriculture and food-processing sector may enter Canada regardless of their vaccination status. l Provinces and territories (PTs) may set different vaccination requirements within their own jurisdictions for the purpose of access to public venues, nonessential services or places of work. l From a federal standpoint, for the purposes of border entry, the Government of Canada considers a person fully vaccinated if they have received a full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada. l All travellers aged 12 years plus four months and older are required to

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

be fully vaccinated to travel within Canada on federally-regulated planes and trains unless they apply for and receive one of the limited exceptions. Unvaccinated TFWs from the primary agriculture and foodprocessing sector may travel to their final destination within Canada while awaiting the results of their COVID-19 test. While PTs hold authority over vaccination requirements in their jurisdictions, PHAC issued recommendations in August 2021 for those vaccinated with vaccines not authorized by Health Canada, and who will be staying in Canada to live, work, or study. For these individuals, PHAC recommends an additional mRNA vaccine dose for those who received one or two doses of a nonHealth Canada authorized vaccine, unless three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have already been received. PHAC recommendations are intended to support local, territorial, and provincial decision-making by public health departments and health care professionals and were developed in consultation with PTs including the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health, and in consideration of advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Some provinces and territories have their own entry restrictions in place for travellers coming to Canada from another country. They may be stricter than federal quarantine requirements. Check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before traveling. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program Employment and Social Development Canada thanks you in advance for your collaboration and understanding. For more information, contact Leslie Sison CAE, CNLA Industry Human Resources & Government Relations, email: leslie@cnla-acpp.ca Anne Kadwell, CLHT, is the Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist with the CNLA. email: anne@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

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CELEBRATE? The Year of the Garden 2022, a celebration of everything garden and gardening related in Canada, begins this spring and you’re invited to join in the fun and “Live the Garden Life”. Whether you already enjoy time in the garden or want to learn more about how gardens impact so much of Canadian life, there’s something for everyone to discover and celebrate at home, at work, in school, in your community, and at public gardens across Canada during the Year of the Garden 2022.

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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

GROWERS CANADA

2021 AIPH International Stats Yearbook Released BY JAMIE AALBERS

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION of Horticultural

Producers (AIPH), in association with Union Fleurs, the International Flower Trade Association, recently released the 69th version of the International Statistics – Flowers and Plants 2021. The contents are the result of extensive research and data compiled by the Centre for Business Management in Horticulture and Applied Research, Leibniz University Hanover, Germany. The Statistics Yearbook provides production data for over 40 countries (including Canada and the US), detailed

country breakdowns, product comparisons, market data and prices and global import and export data. This edition also features additional survey responses about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. New data contained in the 2021 Statistics Yearbook includes: l New figures for per capita consumption for Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, UK, Japan and the USA. l New figures on area and production and additional updated summary information for 38 countries l On-line survey with results from 12 countries and the effects on production and trade of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021 Yearbook is published as a pdf document and features 226 pages of illustrations, table, diagrams, and maps of key production data. As a member of AIPH, CNLA has access to the Yearbook and if you would like a copy, please contact jamie@canadanursery.com. It can also be purchased from the AIPH website under the Intelligence Centre tab.

FOUR SPECIES OF WASPS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF EMERALD ASH BORER IN CANADA

To reduce the impact of Agrilus planipennis, the emerald ash borer (EAB), four species of wasps are approved by CFIA for release as biological control agents in Canada. The four species of wasps are: Tetrastichus planipennisi, Spathius agrili, Spathius galinae, and Oobius agrili. The approval and release of these wasps is part of a long-term strategy designed to reduce the population of EAB and reduce the destruction of Canada’s ash trees. S. agrili is the only one of the four not currently being released in Canada, as US release data has shown that S. agrili is not able to establish a population and persist north of the 40oN latitude. These wasps are all endoparasites and deposit their eggs within or on the larvae of EAB or inside the eggs of EAB. When the wasps’ eggs hatch, the young wasps feed on the host egg or larvae, thereby killing them. Wasps are released when EAB is in the appropriate stage of development; this is based on modelling data using temperatures and estimated development stages of EAB. The classical biological control strategy is the introduction of a natural enemy from the initial home range of the pest

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

SPONSORED BY:

GROWERS CANADA The panel identified three main categories of risks to plant health: l Changes to the environment, including higher temperatures, extreme weather events, changing precipitation levels, and land-use changes l Pests, including predators (e.g. insects), competitors (e.g. weeds) and disease (e.g. pathogens) l Issues of governance, including failures in surveillance, communication, and coordination among relevant actors in the plant health system Key exacerbating factors - climate change, the movement of people and goods and evolutionary processes – can increase the likelihood of adverse events, the rapidity of changes, and the severity of potential impacts to plant health.

Four species of wasps have been approved for release as biological control agents in Canada to fight the emerald ash borer infestation.

species into the new expanded range. By introducing the natural enemy into the pest’s new range it is hoped that the re-establishment of the natural enemy-prey relationship will reduce the introduced pest’s population to a more sustainable level. All four species of wasps cause considerable mortality to EAB in their native ranges of China and Russia. Over 100,000 of the three wasps have been introduced to date into Canadian forests at different sites across Ontario and Quebec. Releases are being conducted by Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service with cooperation and assistance from local conservation authorities and provincial health teams.

CULTIVATING DIVERSITY – THE EXPERT PANEL ON PLANT HEALTH RISKS IN CANADA

A report sponsored by the CFIA on the most significant current and emerging risks to plant health in Canada has been prepared by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). Cultivating Diversity examines the existing and emerging risks to plant health in Canada and offers insights into promising practices that may help to mitigate them. The Panel defined plant health as the ability of plants to maintain their ecosystem functions, including provisioning (e.g. food, wood fibre), regulating (e.g. water and air quality), supporting (e.g. nutrient cycling, soil formation) and cultural (e.g. recreation, education, spiritual) functions. Risks to plant health have the potential to negatively impact the ecosystem functions of any plant, and can arise from any organism, system or process. SPONSORED BY:

The panel suggested that environmental threats to plant health are interconnected and can have cumulative and interrelated effects. For example, climate change – coupled with land conversion (e.g. for agriculture, forestry or urbanization) and changes in pest distributions – is altering the quality, availability and connectivity of plant habitats, resulting in native biodiversity declines. As habitats change, plant populations must shift their distributions, adapt to changing conditions, or face extirpation. However, they may not be able to adapt fast enough to grow optimally, or even survive, under the increased rate and unpredictable nature of changing climatic conditions and pest populations coupled with factors such as urbanization. Canada is composed of vast, diverse landscapes, and therefore the scope of the challenge of protecting plant health is daunting. But plants are foundational to the economic, cultural, physical, and spiritual well-being of all people in Canada. Though many people may be unaware of the role plants play in their everyday lives, the ecological functions of plants support the basis for most life on Earth. However daunting, rising to the complex and urgent challenge of addressing risks to plant health is achievable and imperative for ensuring our collective future. THE FULL REPORT CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.CCA-REPORTS.CA/

For more information, contact Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist email: jamie@cnla-acpp.ca https://cnla.ca

CNLA NEWSBRIEF | SPRING 2022

Reliability that counts ƒ FSA 135 R BATTERY BRUSHCUTTER① HIGH POWER SOLUTION FOR PROFESSIONALS. The FSA 135 R is the latest brushcutter in our battery-powered line-up that can be used in noise-sensitive situations. It is a lightweight, powerful and efficient choice for landscapers, municipal workers and those that have large yards to upkeep. The AP battery can be inserted directly into the powerhead, as opposed to using an adapter system. The ergonomic loop handle makes it comfortable to operate and easy-tomanoeuvre, while also providing a three-step speed adjustment with LED light. Built with a metal mesh air filter, it delivers a longer service life and provides optimum motor cooling. Also, a wide selection of cutting attachments can be used on the FSA 135 R to suit the job at hand. NOTE: Bike handle version also available.

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