Spring Newsbrief 2018 by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

Green Industry News Spring 2018 Vol. 27 Issue 1

What’s inside:

• Pantone colour of the year • SCNC Edmonton 2018 • New grant opportunities for apprentices • Member savings program updates • Garden Days 2018 • Landscape horticulture national charge-out rates survey

INTERNATIONAL GROWER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER - VAN BELLE NURSERY A

t the International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards in Essen, Germany, hosted by The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Van Belle Nursery took home the gold. They got first place in the Young Plants category and silver in the Finished Plants category. The awards take place during IPM Essen, which is considered to be the world’s trade fair for the horticultural industry. This year, Van Belle made history by being the first company to win in multiple categories in a single year. The other categories include: Finished Plants and Trees, Young

Plants, Cut Flowers and bulbs, Sustainability Award, and the Inspiring Business Award. CNLA had the chance to interview Dave Van Belle (President) and DeVonne Friesen (Vice President) about their recent win. Why did you decide to become a member of BCLNA? Dave: We’ve been with BCLNA since the nursery started 40+ years ago. It has, and continues to be a vital association for our provincial membership.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

landscape saskatchewan

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

EXECUTIVE BOARD:

President Past President First Vice President Member Services & Insurance Chair Second Vice President & Green Cities Foundation Chair Treasurer

to questions for each award, three years of audited financial statements, and several videos. And really, the preparation for this award has been years in the making. How we do business, the philosophy behind what kind of relationships we want with staff, customers and suppliers all help to drive what we do each day. It’s been a team effort, and the staff of the nursery are such team players- they deserve all the credit!

Bruce Hunter, CLT, CLD, CLM - BC Rene Thiebaud, CLM - ON Gerald Boot, CLM - ON Phil Paxton, CLT, CLM - AB Anthony O’Neill - NL

DIRECTORS:

BCLNA Representative Michael Kato - BC Landscape AB Representative Jeff Oudyk - AB Landscape SK Representative Aaron Krahn - SK MBNLA Representative David Hinton, CLM - MB Landscape ON Representative & Alan White - ON Climate Change Adaptation Chair Landscape NS Representative Robin Godfrey - NS & Garden Centres Canada Chair Landscape NB/PEI Kevin Nauss, CLM - NB Representative Human Resources Chair Harold Deenen, CLM - ON Landscape Canada Chair Cable Baker, CLT, CLM - BC Communications Chair Bill Hardy, CLM - BC Research Chair Vic Krahn, CLT - SK Government Relations Chair Michael Murray - NL Professional Development Chair Jeff Foley, CLT, CLM - BC Growers Canada Chair Anita Heuver - AB

What advice would you give a company looking to enter the competition? Dave: I would say “Go for it!” it will sharpen your focus, cause you to analyze your business more closely and in general, is a rewarding effort.

Dave Van Belle and DeVonne Friesen DeVonne: We serve local, national and international markets, so membership with BCLNA offers support for varying interests at our company. What motivation does this recent win give you? Dave: We feel pretty happy to have even been accepted for the nomination, so to win in two categories was an exceptional feeling. They kept the nominees in suspense until the names were announced. It was a great feeling to be called to the stage! We are proud to have represented the Canadian industry and we are motivated to keep up our efforts of continuous improvement. We aren’t going to rest on any laurels, and in fact, maybe we now have higher expectations for ourselves! DeVonne: The fact is, we couldn’t have won these awards without our incredible partners that motivate us to bring as much value as we can to their operations. The win boosts our energy to grow amazing plants and create the best experience for them.

DeVonne: I agree with Dave. It will only benefit your team to evaluate each aspect of the business and aim to reach such a goal. What did you learn from this recent win that you will use for the future? Dave: We aren’t too small to succeed. Most of the other nominees are much larger than us, but size doesn’t matter as much. In fact, sometimes that can work against you. We persevered in submitting the documentation, and it paid off. DeVonne: A consistent drive for innovation and value is rewarded. We never expected to win these awards, but realize that without years of focus on creating value, we would not have had this opportunity. Company culture plays a major role in this as well. What kind of exposure has participating in the International Grower of the Year competition given your company? DeVonne: Competition at this stage does gain attention and our team has already received press that we’re grateful for. It helps us keep attracting great people, and of course great people are the engine for everything we do.

What kind of preparation did you do for these awards?

This issue's flower: Aster 2

Dave: We submitted roughly 10 pages of answers

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | T: 1-888-446-3499 | F: 905-875-1840 | info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Nursery. That’s why we have “Everyone an Entrepreneur” painted on the walls. We want everyone to contribute to the growth of the company, and benefit personally from that. That’s our mission!

How do you try and push yourself each year to do better? Dave: It’s in our nature to push to do better each year. One of our core values is “Find a Better Way” and we practice that constantly. We know we are not perfect- everyone who deals with us knows that, but we honestly would like to improve how we interact with our staff, customers and suppliers, and keep putting better plants out there. Where do you go from here? Dave: We want to keep improving our partnerships with everyone we meet, and have fun doing it! Life is pretty short, relationships are pretty important, and we don’t believe in taking ourselves too seriously. We want to stay low-key, work hard and have some fun while we are at it.

The British Columbia based wholesale grower and propagator of ornamental plants was among eight other finalists from The Netherlands, Columbia, Israel, and China. The title of Canadian Grower of the Year in 2016 created the opportunity to enter IGOTY 2018, and their focus in both the young plants and finished plants categories led to each nomination for which they were recognized. Thank you to Dave and DeVonne for taking the time to chat with us. And a big congratulations to the whole team at Van Belle Nursery for this outstanding achievement! Learn more about the International Grower of the Year awards and the other finalists at: http://aiph.org/groweroftheyear. If you are interested in competing at the national level, contact us at info@cnla-acpp.ca!

A letter from the President

DeVonne: Unlocking new value and creating the best experience for partners will continue to be our focus because we can’t win without them.

Anything else you would like to share? Dave: Our goal is to be a model of running an inclusive, progressive business, that runs on old fashioned ideals of hard work, accountability and reward. We want to give people an opportunity to realize their dreams through working at Van Belle

By being a member, you have access to so many resources and savings. Not only do you have access to our member savings programs, but also access to training, certification and discounts on manuals. I encourage members to look into getting their companies Landscape Industry Accredited because you are showing commitment and dedication to yourself, your company and the industry. By being a Landscape Industry Accredited Company, you are showing people right away that you have the skills and knowledge to not only get the job done, but to get it done properly. I am hoping to make my last year as your President a memorable one. I encourage you all to do your best, and hope you have a wonderful year. Sincerely,

Bruce Hunter CLD, CLM, CLT CNLA President

Any other awards you have you have your eye on? Dave: The Grey Cup would be nice, although we aren’t currently putting any effort into getting it!

and welcomed some tremendous workers who have already done great work for us. Membership across the country continues to grow, and the teams at Skills Canada continue to do us proud. We hosted the IGCA Congress in Niagara Falls and showed over 220 delegates from over 20 countries what Canada has to offer in terms of independent retail garden centres. The event was a great success and you can see a highlight video of it over on the CNLA YouTube page. These types of events are crucial for making new connections and maintaining current ones, both at home and abroad.

n behalf of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), happy new year! I hope you all have a great 2018. We got a lot of work done in 2017, but there is still a lot more to do ahead of us and we will not be slowing down. My second year is here as your President, and I hope that I have served you proudly so far and will continue to do so this year. Some great things happened in 2017. We had a few staff changes at the CNLA office, said goodbye to some great people

Bruce Hunter with Michael Murray at the National Awards for Landscaping Excellence last year.

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Industry Events NORTH AMERICA March 1-4: National Floriculture Forum (NFF): Mt Dora, FL www.endowment.org/nff March 9-18: Canada Blooms: Toronto, ON www.canadablooms.com March 27-28: AgLanta Conference: Atlanta, GA www.aglanta.org March 27-29: GlobalShop: Chicago, IL www.globalshop.org April 6-8: Backyard Living Expo: Toronto, ON www.thebackyardlivingexpo.com April 6-8: The Ideal Garden & Patio Show: Halifax, NS www.springideal.ca May 15-16: Grey to Green Conference: Toronto, ON www.greytogreenconference.org June 4-5: Skills Canada National Competition: Edmonton, AB www.skillscompetencescanada.com

INTERNATIONAL March 6: Florall: Waregem, Belgium www.florall.be March 14-15: Royal FloraHolland Seasonal Trade Fair, Naaldwijk, The Netherlands www.royalfloraholland.com March 21-23: Flower Expo China, Guangzhou, China www.flowerexpochina.com April 17-19: Flower Expo Ukraine: Kiev, Ukraine www.flowerexpo-ukraine.com

Show support for Bill S-229 and protect your workers

undreds of thousands of kilometres of pipes and cables are buried across Canada. The essential services that this infrastructure provides, including clean water, heat, power, cell service and internet, are the lifeblood for our communities and of our way of life. Damaging a buried utility is dangerous for the workers involved and can deprive homes and businesses of essential services. Each year, damaged underground infrastructure costs Canadians more than $1 billion. To ensure the safety of our workers, help protect the integrity of our buried utility network and preserve our essential services, Canada needs damage prevention legislation. Bill S-229, the Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Act, will soon be placed before parliament. In order for Bill S-229 to pass the House of Commons, Canada’s ground disturbance and damage prevention communities need to show their support. Let your MP know that protecting Canada’s underground infrastructure is important to you by visiting ICanDigSafe.ca, where you can select a pre-written letter of support to be sent to your Member of Parliament directly from the website. And show your support online by following @CanadianCGA on Twitter and posting with the hashtag #SupportS229. Your voice matters. Your support will move Bill S-229 forward.

The CNLA Family is Growing!

s of the end of February, Rebecca Doutre went on maternity leave and will be returning in early 2019. During her leave, Tim Kearny will be providing support to the Landscape Canada Committee, Anne Beifuss will be providing support to the Member Services Committee and Cheryl to the Insurance Committee. You can reach Tim at tim@cnla-acpp.ca or by phone, 905-8751399 ext. 8610. The rest of the CNLA staff will be assisting where needed. Everyone at CNLA is thrilled for Rebecca. We wish her a safe and happy pregnancy.

Pantone colour of the year

ome of you may or may not know that Pantone announced that the 2018 colour of the year is ‘Ultra Violet’. You can use this to your advantage by demonstrating this lovely colour in your arrangements or presentation. While a whole arrangement or garden full of Ultra Violet may not be appealing, it could just be the colour you need to help you stand out from the competition. Those with a keen eye and flair for colour will recognize ultra violet as the pantone colour of the year, they will take notice of your use of the colour and how it highlights everything around it. Some flowers with this colour that you can incorporate include: verbena, lavender, clematis, iris, allium, and limonium.

Water Issues?

any of the questions nursery growers may have related to water quality issues, including pH control, pathogen control, removal of particles, debris, nutrients or other contaminants may be answered through the various resources posted to the Greenhouse and Nursery Water Treatment Information System website (ces.uoguelph.ca/water/index. shtml). This resource is provided as a service to the nursery and greenhouse floriculture sector by Dr. Youbin Zheng and his team at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph. It is intended to provide the sector with essential technical data to assist growers to make informed decisions in understanding and determining appropriate technologies to solve their own specific water quality concerns.

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

SCNC Edmonton 2018

he Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) may still be a few months away, but it is never too early to start planning. SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. Every year, more than 500 young people from all regions of Canada come to SCNC to participate in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions.

Sometimes members volunteer their skills, labour and products to those in need. These are the stories we are looking for and want to feature in upcoming issues of the Newsbrief. We are looking for any volunteer work you might have done for a school, park or local community. It could be anything from redoing a garden, taking care of the maintenance or sprucing up an area that has been neglected. We know that our members do great work, and some of this includes volunteering to shape the community around you. To submit your stories, or if you would like to nominate someone who has done great volunteer work in the industry, email us at andrew@cnla-acpp.ca

The students competing in the Landscape Gardening Competition are the next generation of the industry. If you are sending competitors, let them demonstrate what you and your company have to offer and the skills that they have learned. This competition is important in bringing attention not only to the industry, but to potential students as well. Some students who cut grass for the summer, who enjoy working outside, may not realize that it is a viable career for them. By bringing more attention to the industry, more people will be aware of all the career opportunities available in the industry. Last year, 18 people competed in the Landscape Gardening competition, demonstrating their skills and knowledge, and what the future holds for our industry. Come see what the top national students in the industry have to offer, and let the students see what you have to offer them.

Member spotlight

ur industry is one that can provide a lot of happiness and relaxation to those it serves. It can be through a certain tree someone finds shade under to relax, or a lovely pathway one strolls through on a crisp autumn morning watching the leaves change colour. It can be through a garden that people come to from all around to admire, or the local park that kids play in. All of this is possible because of our members who take pride in their job.

CNLA to take over management of COPF royalty collections The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that would transfer the management of COPF’s royalty collection and disbursement functions to CNLA effective early in 2018. This agreement replaces the announcement made by COPF in January 2017 that the Foundation intends to cease their business operations effective March 31, 2018. According to CNLA Research Committee chair Vic Krahn, “We believe we can structure a business model that would generate funds to be allocated to the sector’s research priorities. In turn, those funds would be leveraged to obtain additional government funding.” Further details on the transition will be made available to COPF members at an Annual General Meeting (conference call) to be held early in 2018. In the meanwhile, CNLA and COPF encourage their members to contact them with any questions prior to that call so that all concerns can be addressed at that time. Comments should be addressed to: Rita Weerdenburg rita@cnla-acpp.ca

STAFF:

Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLM victor@cnla-acpp.ca Executive Assistant Cheryl Gall Office Manager cheryl@cnla-acpp.ca Growers Manager Rita Weerdenburg rita@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services & Rebecca Doutre, CAE Landscape Priorities Manager rebecca@cnla-acpp.ca Industry Human Resources Leslie Sison Coordinator leslie@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development & Bill Kiervin Retail Sector Manager bill@cnla-acpp.ca Government Relations Coordinator Christine Finn christine@cnla-acpp.ca Communications Manager & Anne Beifuss Acting Member Services Manager anne@cnla-acpp.ca Communications Coordinator Andrew Dmytrasz andrew@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services Teagan Giddings teagan@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development Jason Young jason@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development Edith Oyosoro edith@cnla-acpp.ca Minor Use/IPM Coordinator Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPM peter@cnla-acpp.ca Landscape Priorities Coordinator, Tim Kearny National Garden Project tim@cnla-acpp.ca COPF Coordinator Sandy Trickey sandy@copf.org

Soil remediation calculator and tree species selector

oor soil content, improper management practices and incorrect tree species selection are chronic problems in urban settings. Tree replacement is costly, reducing the social and ecological benefits of a greener landscape. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s new Greening the Canadian Landscape website tackles these problems with a soil remediation calculator and tree species selector. By considering key factors including soil quality, and selecting proper tree species, healthier trees can be grown for more resilient and greener landscapes. Try it out today at: greeningcanadianlandscape.ca

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

WHEN A WINTER STORM HITS, SPEED MATTERS. The smart move is to rely on your Cat® dealer for machines and attachments. And because your job is as unpredictable as the weather, your dealer is there to back you up. NEVER LET WEATHER SLOW YOU DOWN.

As a CNLA member, you get to take advantage of bundling the exclusive member discount on Cat machines and attachments, along with the industry’s best financing:

Member Preferred

» Save up to $2,750 on qualifying machines.* » Get 0% for 60 months on new Cat Compact Equipment. Now with a new, 2-year standard warranty.** » Plus, $250 off select new Cat attachments.* To take advantage of these exclusive offers, go to CatResourceCenter.com/CNLA.

*For CNLA member offer terms and conditions, please visit www.catresourcecenter.com/CNLA. **For all other special offer terms and conditions, please visit www.catresourcecenter.com/offers.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes

© 2018 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | T: 1-888-446-3499 | F: 905-875-1840 | info@cnla-acpp.ca

| www.cnla-acpp.ca

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Industry Human Resources Continued concerns over the Federal tax proposal

ew changes have come into play Jan 1, 2018 regarding taxes to small businesses. The overhaul is meant to close perceived loopholes that some businesses may be using to “cheat” the system and to “ensure high-income individuals cannot use strategies involving private corporations to gain unfair tax advantages.” The strategies in question are income splitting, dividend payments to family members, and lifetime capital gains deductions. The proposal, however, will also stand to affect Canadian farms and Small Business owners in the industry. It should be noted that the comment period of 75 days occurred in the middle of the harvest season and as such, did not allow sufficient time for review. The concerns at the end of 2017 about the proposed changes were; “If implemented, the proposals will restrict small business owners from sharing income with family members; limit certain forms of saving in the business, making the farm more vulnerable in bad economic times and less able to innovate and grow; and change capital gains rules which could make it more difficult for business owners to transfer their business to the next generation.” - Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness. With the increasing average age in our industry, there are many farms and businesses that will be changing hands in one shape or form in the next decade. Historically, most businesses in our industry are passed from generation to generation. This needs to be addressed and planned for, specifically, how can this transition to the next generation be made easier and allow for retirement planning? If not, there is a huge risk of losing farms and industry small businesses if the new Federal Tax rules are implemented.

gains exemption of one million dollars for farmers, which will help to provide for intergenerational transfers. Farmers and other small business owners can continue to have family members actively involved in, and appropriately compensated by the business.” Minister Morneau announced that the Government will not be moving forward with measures relating to the conversion of income into capital gains. During the consultation period, the Government heard from business owners, including many farmers and fishers that the measures could result in several unintended consequences, such as in respect to taxation upon death and potential challenges with intergenerational transfers of businesses. The Government will work with family businesses, including farming and fishing businesses, to make it more efficient, or less difficult, to hand down their businesses to the next generation. In the coming year, the Government will continue its outreach to farmers and other business owners to develop proposals to better accommodate intergenerational transfers of businesses while protecting the fairness of the tax system. The Department of Finance of Canada has provided a list of measures that will be coming into effect in 2018. Among the list of Key Tax Measures is one related to Income Sprinkling. “As part of its commitment to tax fairness, the Government is moving forward on restricting income sprinkling by private corporations, effective for the 2018 and subsequent taxation years. Family members who make meaningful contributions to a family business will not be affected. Owners of private corporations will have until the end of 2018 to adjust to the proposed exclusion for significant shareholdings.

New grant opportunities for apprentices

he Ontario Government is winding down the apprenticeship training tax credit. They are planning on implementing a new graduated apprenticeship grant for employers, which will provide grants as apprentices complete their levels of training. Additional grant amounts are available for women, Indigenous peoples, francophones, people with disabilities, newcomers and visible minorities. The 125 trades currently eligible for the existing tax credit will be eligible for the new grant structure including horticulture and landscape technicians. In addition, the government will be spending $124 million over three years on hiring and retaining young workers under two programs. The first is for small businesses under 100 employees, who can receive $1000 for hiring a young worker, and another $1000 for retaining the worker for six months. The second program is called the ‘Youth Job Connection’ and is for youth with “employment barriers”. If you hire a youth from this program you can receive $1000, and another $1000 if retained for six months. To find out more about apprenticeship grants, contact Leslie Sison at the CNLA office: leslie@cnla-acpp.ca

The complete list can be found on the Government of Canada’s Department of Finance website.

In discussions with the government at the end of 2017, there were some allowances. David Barnaby, Finance Canada spokesperson, “As to the anticipated impact the tax changes will have on farmers, the government will maintain the intergenerational rollover to the farmer’s child and the lifetime capital

SCNC SKILLS CANADA NATIONAL COMPETITION

JUNE 4-5 EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE SKILLS COMPETENCES CANADA.COM #SCNC2018

FUNDED IN PART BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Member Services

ClaimsPro: committed to proving professional claims services that ensure business continuity Serving CNLA Members since 2008

laimsPro, Canada’s leading provider of independent claims adjusting, is the exclusive claims administration service provider for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s (CNLA) group insurance program, provided by Marsh. We have proudly been serving CNLA members for 10 years through the HortProtect Insurance Program. Embedded as a fixture in the Canadian independent adjusting community for over 30 years, ClaimsPro has a team of over 800 adjusters and 120 offices from coastto-coast. We are the largest independent claims adjuster in Canada and the only provider with truly national coverage. With adjusters in every sizable Canadian community and a short drive from smaller communities, we can guarantee a quick response to any claim. As a Canadian company that started with a single office in Edmonton, Alberta, understanding the

needs of small business operators is in ClaimsPro’s DNA. Getting back to business as usual – as quickly as possible – is the primary focus for any organization, and can have a huge impact on the long-term viability of your business. Our local adjusters understand the varied needs of CNLA members: from the unique types of vehicles, facilities, and equipment required, to the cyclical nature of the landscaping business. We work with you to develop a business continuity plan so you can continue serving your customers, minimizing the disruption any claim may cause. ClaimsPro prides itself on providing customized claims handling instructions for all clients, and CNLA members are no different. As ClaimsPro has grown, it has expanded its suite of services and improved efficiencies through a philosophy of innovation and extensive account management experience. We firmly believe that technology is one of our key competitive advantages, and we have made continued investments in this area to drive innovation. We provide members of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association with the most comprehensive claims management technology and business processes available in the market today. As a key component to our account management, our proprietary software supports our adjusting services and quality assurance platforms. Our

PREFERRED GROUP INSURANCE RATES For All Your Insurance Needs

AS A BENEFIT OF YOUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Uniquely developed to protect the green industry

HortProtect is a great mix of quality, service, and value that is customized for the horticulture industry. Get a quote from a service team that works for you and your company. Gerald Boot, CLP - Boots Landscaping & Maintenance

GROUP LIFE, HEALTH AND DISABILITY INSURANCE

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY/ BUSINESS INSURANCE

PERSONAL HOME AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

1-800-459-8990

1-888-949-4360

1-877-476-6727

Marsh Canada Limited Official insurance programs for members of:

system has the power and ability to bring new efficiencies to our clients, ultimately providing a single system to identify, prioritize, and communicate risk via realtime information management. Our organization is buoyed by six sister companies each specializing in part of the insurance process – Xpera Risk Mitigation and Investigation, Opta Information Intelligence, Cira Health Solutions, SCM Risk Management Services, Pario Engineering and Environmental Sciences, and International Programs Group (IPG). Through our partnership with these organizations, ClaimsPro has the in-house expertise to provide the nuanced services that our clients, both large and small, require. ClaimsPro processes claims of all types – including automobile, property, and liability. We provide a dedicated team exclusively to CNLA members, available 24 hours a day as part of the HortProtect Insurance Program. For more information about ClaimsPro and our services, please contact Greg Davis at greg.davis@scm.ca or by phone at 905695-6638. To report a claim, contact us at CNLAclaims@scm.ca or at our emergency claims service number at 1-877-657-6125.

Program Update: DynaSCAPE

NLA is excited to announce that we have updated our Member Program agreement with DynaSCAPE - our current discount of 10% has been increased to 15% on new and upgrade licenses! DynaSCAPE will continue to offer a 20% discount to any CLD candidate (or graduate). Now is a great time to upgrade your design software - with this higher discount option now available to CNLA Members, consider DynaSCAPE when making your next purchase!

Officially endorsed by:

www.HortProtect.com

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Program Update:

Kubota savings program ending this month

he CNLA Member Services Committee is constantly reviewing our member savings programs to ensure that they offer the best value to our members. As a result, Kubota and CNLA have mutually agreed to discontinue the current members savings program. As of March 31, 2018, CNLA will no longer be administering the Kubota member savings program. After March 31, members will be required to contact their local Kubota dealer for information regarding discounts. Kubota will continue to offer CNLA members a preferred client discount, administered through the local dealerships. CNLA and Kubota will continue to work together outside of the member savings program, as long time industry partners.

New Program: Mynmax

NLA is introducing a new program we are sure you will be excited about. Mynmax is a cellphone provider that has great deals with ‘bring your own device’ plans. Mynmax will be the exclusive partner for CNLA for mobility plans for one year. These plans are sure to be a great asset to you and your company helping you stay connected. To learn more about this program or any other of the member savings programs, contact the member services team for more information.

Program Spotlight: Deluxe

Petro-Canada

tarting on April 1, 2018, current and new Petro-Canada/CNLA program users will be offered an increased discount amount on gasoline and diesel will be offered an increased discount amount of 2.9 cents per litre on gasoline and diesel when purchased using the SuperPass credit card at Petro Canada's retail network locations. 15% off carwashes will continue to be offered at participating locations. To apply, just complete and submit the on-line SuperPass application form, which can be accessed at www.cnla-acpp. ca. If you are an existing Petro-Canada SuperPass customer, you can easily enroll in this program by sending an e-mail to superpasscanada@suncor.com, to request your account be linked to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s main link account. Please include your existing SuperPass account number in your email request.

ormerly called Nebs, members save 15% on printed products that you need to run and grow your business. Receive discounted rates with Deluxe Payroll system.

Conferences include: Growing Bricks And Mortar Brand In A Digital World, A Customer First Strategy, New Technologies That Are Transforming Consumer Engagement and more! For more info, go to: rccretailmarketing.ca

STORE 2018 - May 29th-30th

TORE is Retail Council of Canada’s two-day conference held annually in Toronto. With an agenda and networking opportunities targeted to the unique needs of the dynamic retail industry in Canada, STORE is THE must-attend event of the season. The STORE 2018 agenda will include main stage keynotes and interactive panels to drive big ideas and concurrent sessions to strengthen your business. For more information, go to: storeconference.ca

Tell your business story with powerful print marketing and promotional products.

Retail Council of Canada Events: Retail Marketing Conference 2018 - April 12th

Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala - May 29th

etail Council of Canada takes pride in honoring the very best in retail innovation and creativity at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala. Every year these awards bring together the top talent in the Canadian Retail industry to recognize the years most innovative retailers in a variety of categories.

etail marketers have unique business challenges and pressures to keep the Winners will be announced at the Excellence brands they support relevant and exciting in Retailing Awards Gala on May 29th, 2018! in a continually evolving consumer-driven For more info, go to: retailawards.ca marketplace. If you have solutions to help retail marketing teams gain their competitive edge, Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing Conference is the ideal forum for you to engage with the key decision makers in Canada.

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

SPECIAL TREATMENT.

YOU’RE ELIGIBLE.

CNLA MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PLATINUM 2 GREENFLEET™ LOYALTY REWARDS

Sometimes it’s nice to get a little special treatment. And as a Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) member, you’ll receive valuable equipment discounts, special financing options, Workshop Products discounts, and other exclusive members-only benefits when you sign up for your free GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards Platinum membership. Visit JohnDeere.ca/Associations for details.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes JohnDeere.ca/Associations 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | T: 1-888-446-3499 | F: 905-875-1840 | info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

Spring 2018

Professional Development

- Ryan Terry, CLT, Foreman at T.Moscone & Bros Landscaping

CANADIAN

LANDSCAPE

STANDARD The benchmark standard for industry stakeholders Available in French and English / Digital and Print Order yours at www.csla-aapc.ca/ standard

Marketing power: having certified staff on your crew shows that your work is of better quality and meets or exceeds industry standards. As well, your company will have access to the Landscape Industry Certified logo and other marketing materials. Having Landscape Industry Certified staff is one of the steps in becoming a Landscape Industry Accredited Company; a new initiative launched in 2017 to help industry leading companies set themselves apart across Canada and the United States. Benefits of Certification to You Certification creates a pathway for career advancement. It tells your employer that you are serious about your job. Being Certified demonstrates that you are always looking to improve your skills and that you have the knowledge, competency and professionalism that sets you apart from others in the industry. Personal branding: once you are certified in the designation of your choice, a variety of marketing materials will be available to help brand yourself and your company. As well, you can proudly use the CLT (Certified Landscape Technician), CHT (Certified Retail Horticulturist), CLM (Certified Landscape Manager) or CLD (Certified Landscape Designer) designation behind your name. Benefits of Certification to Your Customers Confidence in knowing that the work on their home or project is being done by a professional, not an amateur. You get what you pay for. Mistakes and poor workmanship can cost more than hiring someone who is certified, and has the credentials that prove they know how to complete the job properly.

y str

"Getting certified has been the best decision I have made so far throughout my landscaping career. The process is very quick and easy to be signed up. It is well organised and I ended up meeting new people in the industry at testing day, which is always nice. I would recommend this to anyone in the industry who is thinking about it as it helps to further education and brings our industry up to the highest standards possible.”

Benefits of Certification to Your Business ive your business the upper hand by showing your customers that you have proven competency and greater professionalism over your competitors.

scape Indu nd

d it e d C o m p

Why did I become Landscape Industry Certified?

Why You Should Become Landscape Industry Certified

Recently Awarded Landscape Industry Certifications

certified

landscape industry

CNLA Newsbrief

Recently Awarded Landscape Industry Accredited Companies Price Landscaping NB Designations as of February 1, 2017

Accredited companies focus on certification as a cornerstone of their business practices, conduct their business affairs responsibly, value community and customer relations, and maintain high standards of workmanship and environmental stewardship in residential and commercial settings. If you are interested in applying to be a Landscape Industry Accredited Company, complete the application and follow its instructions: www.cnla.ca/training/landscapeindustry-accreditation Any questions can be directed to Jason Young (jason@cnla-acpp.ca or ext. 8620).

Stay informed and get noticed at www.landscapeindustrycertifiedtechnician.ca www.landscapeindustrycertifiedmanager.ca www.certifiedlandscapedesigner.com

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Garden Centres Canada Pink Days In Bloom

National gift card program closing

he snow is melting, the grass is growing, and spring is around the corner. What better way to enjoy the beautiful gardens in your community then by helping to raise money for breast cancer research at the same time! This time of the year is ideal for people to start planning events, networking with people and brainstorming ideas. You don’t need to have your own garden centre or floral shop to host your own event, you can do so from the comfort of your own home or garden. Plan accordingly and you could be featured in the events calendar for 2018. These events not only raise money for breast cancer research, but they also bring together patients and survivors to tell their tales of struggle, hope and survival. Having a support network that people can rely on and look forward to when they may need it most is crucial for people diagnosed with breast cancer. To learn more about how to get involved and upcoming events be sure to ‘Like’ Pink Days in Bloom on Facebook or contact your local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society.

IGCA 2018

his year, Prague is proud to host the 2018 IGCA tour, happening from September 16th to September 21st . It is filled with over 12 garden centres, nurseries and retail stops during the tour along with a castle tour, the historical centre of Prague, and dinner on a boat while you cruise along taking in the lovely scenery the city has to offer. Discover how Czech Republic sets itself apart in the European market and what insights you can gain from the tour.

A arden Days is a nine‐day celebration of the vital role that gardens and gardening play in our communities and our lives.

s of January 2018, the Green for Life Garden Gift Card is longer available to CNLA members. The host of the virtual e-card has announced that they will no longer support the sale of gift cards. In accordance with the law, they will continue to process the redemption of already purchased cards until the amounts on the cards are used up.

To celebrate Garden Days, you are invited to organize special activities or promotions at your garden, garden centre, school, community facility or business. This is also great opportunity for garden-focused organizations, such as horticulture societies, garden clubs, Master Gardeners and the like, to launch a new activity or align already‐ planned events taking place between June 16 and 24 with Garden Days. Your activity remains prominent in your community while having the benefit of national exposure with no cost to you.

The Garden Centres Canada committee will research an alternative gift card, possibly based on the successful UK model. This is still an excellent way to build awareness and drive brand loyalty. Stay tuned!

Garden Days 2018

Whatever you decide to do, it is never too early to register your activity or promotion, at no cost, on gardendays. ca. It is as simple as clicking on the ‘Register Your Activity’ button and inputting your Garden Days activity information. INTRODUCING A NEW ENHANCEMENT EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY, 1ST, 2018 As soon as you register your activity, we’ll send you the Garden Days Official Activity logo, which you can use in promotions of your activity.

Registration is now open for this exhilarating tour. Sign up today and see how you can bring back some European influence back with you. Go to www.igca2018.cz for more information.

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Growers Canada

New propagation system is proven to prevent root girdling

proven and innovative tree propagation system is helping growers increase their profitability by producing healthier, more beautiful trees. Launched at the Landscape Ontario Congress, RootSmartTM is an evidence-based propagation system that promotes an ideal root structure by preventing root girdling at the propagation stage.

Evidence-based RootSmartTM innovation delivers better roots, better trees and better profits Root girdling is a well-known and costly problem in the horticulture industry. Research has shown that it starts during propagation and can’t be reversed as a tree matures. Over time, roots circle each other and the trunk, choking and killing the tree. RootSmart prevents girdling in the first stages of root growth – when it counts. Developed in partnership between Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and A.M.A., RootSmartTM provides growers with a proven solution to improve propagation practices. TM

“Root girdling is a real problem, and growers are starting to see an increased focus on examining root structures in the buying process. We were determined to find a solution that would help growers become better stewards of their products,” said Rick Bradt, Co-owner and Managing Director of A.M.A. “RootSmartTM is the gamechanger our industry has been waiting for, and we are proud to bring it to market in partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.”

As a wall-less, bottomless tray, RootSmartTM is uniquely designed to encourage lateral root growth without obstruction from growing media. As the roots come into contact with the air outside of the tray, they naturally prune themselves, allowing continued growth in a healthy, lateral direction. By ensuring better quality roots, RootSmartTM delivers significant benefits for fruit, nut, and ornamental tree growers that result in better products for end consumers. “RootSmartTM was co-designed with growers, for growers,” said Dr. Darby McGrath, Research Scientist at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. “After five years consulting with industry leaders and studying the effects of existing propagation trays, we designed a product that solves the problem of root girdling using proven science. We are thrilled to see it come to life with support and leadership from the A.M.A. team.” A.M.A. holds the exclusive production and marketing licence to RootSmartTM, and is now available to growers across North America. Learn more at www.rootsmart.com

Japanese beetle found in downtown Vancouver

n response to feedback received from all stakeholder groups related to the finding of Japanese beetle in downtown Vancouver, a conference call was hosted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in early January 2018 to discuss the results of their fall 2017 delimitation survey. At that time, CFIA also provided more details on the three available options for the control of this invasive alien pest. These three options included eradication, regulatory controls to slow the spread, and deregulation. As there was common agreement that deregulation should not be considered at this time, the discussion was focused on providing the pros and cons of eradication versus regulatory control. After industry consultations with other major stakeholder groups, including the City of Vancouver, the golf and turfgrass sectors and the Invasive Species Council of BC, both CNLA and the BCLNA have provided CFIA

with separate position letters encouraging an eradication strategy as a first option. A second option, not previously suggested by CFIA is a strategy of aggressive suppression, to be supported by the industry and other stakeholders. As regulatory control does not make provision for active beetle and grub management, it was not supported as a viable option by CNLA and BCLNA. As of the writing of this report, a final decision by CFIA had not yet been made, pending official feedback from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the City of Vancouver. Further updates will be provided through the BCLNA Friday Files and the CNLA Growers’ Update as they become available.

Emerald ash borer regulated areas expanded

he Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its regulated areas for emerald ash borer (EAB) to include a new area in Manitoba and to expand the areas in Quebec. This change is due to new detections of EAB in Winnipeg and southern Quebec in 2017 and is intended to slow the insect's spread. A complete list of regulated areas in Canada can be found on the CFIA website: www.inspection.gc.ca

Position available on Plant Breeders’ Rights Advisory Committee

he Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) is seeking an industry delegate to represent the unique needs of Canada’s ornamental sector (nursery and greenhouse floriculture) on the CFIA’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Advisory Committee. The main objective of the Committee is to provide consensus based advice to the government (Minister and Commissioner) on ways to improve the IP regime. Some of the more recent accomplishments stemming from Committee recommendations are PBR Act amendments, UPOV’91 ratification, UPOV leadership and acceptance of foreign data. For more information on this position, please contact rita@cnla-acpp.ca

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

The need for shade tree diversity By

Philip Ronald, Ph.D.

I recently presented a seminar titled “Options for Shade Tree Diversity in Winnipeg” to delegates at a local EAB conference. In my preparation for this talk I made extensive use of the recently completed City of Winnipeg tree inventory available for download at: https://data.winnipeg.ca/. Using the GPS coordinates from the inventory in combination with Google Earth it is possible to virtually stand beside trees and assess their performance. A review of Winnipeg’s database of boulevard and park trees on public lands reveals some shocking statistics. Two deciduous genera (ash and elm) constitute 60% of all public trees in Winnipeg’s urban forest. The early citizens of Winnipeg deserve immense credit for their visionary desire to green the city. They prudently chose tough, native trees often sourced from the riverbanks. However they overplanted certain species and didn’t envision the worst case scenario. Invasive alien species such as Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer pose a grave threat to Winnipeg’s urban forest. Trees are a long-term investment and are not easily interchanged. Furthermore, our northern climate limits the opportunities for shade tree diversity. At this point, it appears the best options are: 1. to blend diverse species into existing monocultures at every opportunity and 2. develop master plans for spatially-diverse tree plantings in new neighborhoods. Dr. John Ball’s stringent formula for diversity proposes no more than 5% of a community’s trees be in a single genus, which means we need 20 suitable tree genera. So can we get to 20 tree genera in zone 3? BARELY! There are 19 reliable deciduous tree genera with perhaps 3 or 4 more possible. However some of these genera are not considered “streetfriendly” and may be best limited to park settings (e.g. poplar, willow). What was most shocking to me in my analysis of Winnipeg’s tree database was the underuse of many proven tree species. For example, among 305,000 trees on public land there are only 425 Ohio Buckeye (0.1%), 1,213 Hackberry (0.4%) and 1,455 Japanese Elm (0.5%). Compared to 102,166 ash (33.8%) and 78,843 elm (26.9%) these numbers are miniscule. Obviously there are huge opportunities to enhance the variety in Winnipeg’s urban forest.

Reprinted with permission from October 2017 issue of Growing Matters (Volume 20, issue 3) by Jeffries Nurseries

Early monoculture of American elm

Test planting of Prairie Horizon alder

Hackberry in-planted into ash monoculture

TREE GENERA FOR CITY OF WINNIPEG 13 SHADE TREE GENERA •Acer - maple •Aesculus - buckeye •Alnus - alder •Betula - birch •Celtis - hackberry •Eleagnus - olive •Juglans - walnut •Phellodendron - corktree •Populus - poplar •Quercus - oak •Salix - willow •Tilia - linden •Ulmus - elm

6 FLOWERING TREE GENERA •Crataegus - hawthorn •Malus - crabapple •Prunus - cherry •Pyrus - pear •Sorbus - mountain ash •Syringa - tree lilac 4 CONIFEROUS TREE GENERA •Larix - larch •Picea - spruce •Pinus - pine •Thuja – cedar

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

Landscape Canada

European Year of Greener Cities 2020

n Europe, the majority of the populace is living in cities, towns and suburbs with the population on the rise. Many issues that arise from an increased population such as resident’s health or environmental concerns, can potentially be solved by green infrastructure. A proposition has been put forward by the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) to name the year 2020 as the ‘European Year of Greener Cities’. This will be done to demonstrate how green infrastructure can be used as a tool to solve problems, as well as to make the value of green infrastructure better understood by all. The aims of the European Year of Greener Cities 2020 are: 1. To raise awareness of the benefits of green spaces in built environment 2. To increase the quantity and quality of research and development of new innovations 3. To encourage citizens to act and improve their own neighbourhoods 4. To create a culture of appreciation of the green spaces 5. To increase the amount of green infrastructure projects 6. To create a roadmap of greening the European cities by 2030

Green infrastructure; or in other words, building with nature, has multiple benefits for us. Plants from moss to giant trees can be incorporated in built environments in ways that enhance not only the attractiveness of our neighbourhoods, but have also substantial positive effects on people’s health and well-being, bolster the fight against climate change, and protect biodiversity. Currently, green spaces in urban environments are undervalued and their wide-ranging benefits remain poorly understood. Green infrastructure provides ecosystems services that are crucial to our well-being. These services include the provision of conditions for the production of food and water, the regulation of climate and the prevention of extreme weather phenomena, the support for nutrient cycles and crop pollination, and recreational benefits. What kind of benefits will greener cities have? The positive effects they will bring will affect several areas, including: climate, health, and economic value. There are already several European projects that include green infrastructure. The reason for the 2020 year is to create a network for all of them to connect, share ideas, and how to proceed for the future across local and national levels. Particular attention will be given to the goals of living well within the limits of the planet, having clean air and water, avoiding exposure to excessive noise and creating proper waste management. The initiative also advances the goal of the EU Biodiversity Strategy by aiming to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU.

the politicians and officials both in the EU institutions and in the member countries (like Canada), and to gain their commitment to further the goals of the initiative. CNLA is committed to initiatives like this one, where green infrastructure is being implemented to help shape cities for the better.

Landscape Horticulture National Charge-Out Rates Survey

he Landscape Canada Committee of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association has created a national “Landscape Horticulture Charge-Out Rates Survey”, and are requesting all landscape operators across Canada to take a few minutes to fill out this valuable survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather accurate and reliable information on equipment and job chargeout rates across Canada for landscape operators. Results of this survey will be shared with CNLA and provincial association members, and will provide industry chargeout rate averages for your demographic area. Surveys will be due on March 31, 2018 - the information/data entered should be effective as of January 2018. Only aggregate data compiled from the survey will be communicated. Please visit the following link to access the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/HV5QTTX

International garden centre congress is coming to Prague September 16-21, 2018 Register today at:

www.igca2018.cz/registration.html

For the year to be a success, it is of utmost importance to increase the awareness and knowledge of green infrastructure amongst

CNLA Newsbrief

Spring 2018

STIHL FS 94 R BRUSHCUTTER

DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE EVERYDAY

FS 94 R

The STIHL FS 94 R 2-stroke brushcutter delivers an excellent power-to-weight ratio in its class, weighing just over 10 pounds - great for manoeuvring around hills, landscaping stones and other terrain. The innovative ECOSPEED throttle set wheel allows the user to set the most effective throttle speed for a particular job, such as low throttle around delicate plants. This allows professionals to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption, keeping you working longer between fill-ups. Combined with a highpowered, low exhaust emission engine and anti-vibration system, this brushcutter is a landscaping tool that every professional should have in their fleet. • Powered by a low-emission 2-stroke engine with excellent power-to-weight ratio • Equipped with a variable speed control ECOSPEED throttle, which allows precise control of cutting speed • Features a simplified starting procedure – semi-automatic choke lever; hit the throttle and the lever returns to normal operating position • Fleece air filter offers extended life and long replacement intervals • Lightweight and compact design for comfortable operation over long periods • For use with nylon line heads and metal grass blades, STIHL PolyCut ™ 20-3 and DuroCut 20-2

Displacement 24.1 cc Weight † 4.6 kg/10.1 lb Power Output 0.9 kW

Without fuel, cutting attachment or deflector.

†

PRO-FLEET COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE PROGRAM STIHL’s Pro-Fleet Commercial Landscape Program is designed to provide commercial landscapers a volume discount on major purchases of 5 or more landscaping power tools. Visit your STIHL Dealer today to find out more and take advantage of the savings!

QUALITY AT WORK FOR OVER 90 YEARS. For over 90 years, STIHL has been a world market leader and innovator in outdoor power equipment. German engineered products featuring the latest pioneering technologies make STIHL the preferred choice for professionals, consistently providing uncompromising quality. STIHL products are only available at independent STIHL Dealers who provide personal advice and expert service. Thank you for the continuous support and for making STIHL the brand you trust.

* “#1 Selling Brand in Canada” is based on an independent market share analysis of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment from 2017. Source: TraQline Canada.

THE

CLUB

EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT

STIHLCanada

CLUB DONT TOUT LE MONDE PARLE