Landscape Ontario - January 2015 by Landscape Ontario

January 2015 www.horttrades.com

WE WALK THE WALK Chris Ray of Humber Valley Landscaping led a volunteer team to set a homeowner right

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE New year, old story By Dave Braun LO president

very smart man recently shared a story with me that I thought was worth repeating. And, I’m not just saying that because that clever man is my father-in-law. My wife’s father, Murray, and I were discussing the sometimes harsh business world. Murray, having previously owned a real estate firm, and being in the business for decades, used to write a column on business that he published in the local newspaper. The story that he told me recently is the same one that was printed many years ago about my wife Ashley and her younger brother Andrew. It follows here: “In our house, when someone loses a baby tooth, it goes into a little bottle and is placed under the pillow at bedtime. The Tooth Fairy always comes during the night, takes the tooth, and leaves some money in its place. “One night last week, Ashley had two

January, 2015 • Volume 33, No. 1 horttrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario. ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519

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teeth for the Tooth Fairy and Andrew, not to be outdone, rounded up a tooth which he had not yet cashed in. So, under the pillow went the two little bottles and three little teeth. The two slept together that

“ The big grumpy Tooth Fairy put Andrew’s 25 cents on the very corner of his night table.” night because Andrew’s not sure he likes being alone when there are going to be fairies on the loose. But he does want the money. With Ashley on guard, they were both soon fast asleep. “Later that night, it was Daddy Tooth Fairy’s turn to make the switch. But Andrew’s bottle was nowhere to be found. After a fruitless search, the big grumpy Tooth Fairy put Andrew’s 25 cents on the very corner of his night table where he couldn’t miss it in the morning. Why the tooth hadn’t been taken could be explained away somehow. “Very early the next morning, I was alone in the family room reading the

Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editorial director Sarah Willis sarahw@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5424 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Integrated solutions representative Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Kim Burton, Myscha Burton, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Allie McInnes, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

morning paper and enjoying a cup of coffee. All was quiet until I heard the sound of little footsteps coming down the stairs. Soon Ashley appeared and, unaware of me sitting in the corner, sleepily padded over to the kitchen cupboard where we keep a bowl of loose change. She soon found what she wanted and once again headed up the stairs. “Once she had disappeared, I couldn’t help but follow her to see what was up. She was gingerly tucking something under Andrew’s pillow. Then she saw me. Tiptoeing over, she motioned me to come back downstairs with her. Safely out of Andrew’s earshot, she said, ‘Oh Dad, when I woke up, I found two quarters in my bottle from the Tooth Fairy. But when I checked Andrew’s bottle, his tooth was still there. The Fairy missed it! So I got a quarter for him downstairs and put it into his bottle so he won’t be disappointed when he wakes up.’ “Sometimes I wonder whether we don’t learn more from our children than they ever do from us. About caring, like this. Imagine if we adults could transfer this attitude to everyday business.” It is clear that Murray is very wise man and a wonderful writer. I’m so glad that he shared this story. I’m elated, however, that he gave his blessing so that I could marry the incredibly beautiful and caring subject of this tale. Dave Braun may be reached at dbraun@landscapeontario.com.

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FEATURES Chris Ray Canada Blooms Trial Gardens Governance

ASSOCIATION NEWS New Members EVENTS Industry NEWS COLUMNS Classifieds Ad Index

Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2015, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

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Chris Ray of Humber Valley Landscaping (first in back row), and his team of industry members and students from the Humber College Landscape Technician program and homeowner Cory Allard (in white).

Chris Ray comes to the rescue while showing industry’s professionalism Chris Ray, owner of Humber Valley Landscaping in Markham, doesn’t often have the opportunity to watch the six o’clock news on TV. Being a professional landscaper, he’s seldom home at that time. But back in September, a rare opportunity found Ray at home in front of his TV, when CTV’s On Your Side with Pat Foran came on the screen. It was about a landscaper who had left a Brampton couple with an incomplete job and allegedly taken their money. “I became so angry because it made our industry look bad,” said Ray, a member of Landscape Ontario who holds CIT and CLP certifications. As he sat watching the show, Ray realized he had to do something. “I estimated that it would take two days to go in and fix the problem,” says Ray. Once he moved forward, he received help from Landscape Ontario, a number of industry members and Humber College. They all stepped up to help Ray complete the project at the home of Cory Allard and Chris Brazel. “We had the opportunity to turn a bad experience into a good one,” said Ray. “When I made contact with Chris Ray, I was amazed that he was all ready to go,” says homeowner Cory Allard. After Ray contacted CTV, the broadcaster contacted Allard to let her know Chris Ray’s intentions.

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The job was booked for Nov. 27 and 28. “It was cold, wet and muddy,” said Allard. “I couldn’t believe the conditions Chris and his crew had to work under.” At the end of the two days, the project was more or less complete. On Dec. 3, the CTV News crew was on the scene to interview the homeowners Cory Allard and her husband Chris Brazel, and Chris Ray. “I was really nervous that the site wouldn’t look like a disaster area,” says Ray. “Just a few hours before the TV crew arrived, it was a muddy mess. By the time the cameras were on scene it looked terrific. “I am very impressed with the support I received from the landscape community,” says Ray. “They’re such an amazing group of people.” The companies that stepped up to help with the project include: Humber Valley Landscaping donating labour, equipment, project management, tools, and overall coordination; Permacon donating all of the stone; Farmer Jacks in Stouffville donating the disposal bin and gravel; Hawkins Contracting donating gravel; Titanium Contracting donating equipment, truck and labour; John Deere Landscape donating landscape fabric; Fairgreen Sod donating sod and soil, and Fine Design Living donating polymer sand. Humber College Landscape Program sent seven students. They are Mares Mihai, Daniel Keith, Eva Wells, Shaq Brown, Zack Elliott, Derick Medeiros and

Doug Jackson. Humber Landscape Technician program coordinator Richard Zoltek said the project was a great opportunity for the students. “We are always willing to help out in a crisis, or for some charitable event,” he said. Cory Allard said she was left without words to express her reaction to the completed project. “It definitely has restored my faith in the professionalism of the industry,” she said. In reflecting on the experience, she recounted how she thought she had done her homework and checked with the Better Business Bureau. “When I approached CTV, I wasn’t looking for a free landscaping job. I went public, because I didn’t want to see what happened to me, happen to someone else.” Chris Ray said that for him personally the project was the right thing to do. He feels that the situation is an example of the benefits of hiring professional members of Landscape Ontario and strengthening the Landscape Industry Certified program. From the industry’s point of view, Chris Ray provided a great example of the talent, creativity and professionalism that members of Landscape Ontario demonstrate on a daily basis. Only this time the news media was there to tell the story. The broadcast can be found online at http://gfl.me/h2mn.

LO’s Canada Blooms garden will promote outdoor exercise By Shawn Gallaugher The theme for Canada Blooms 2015 is ‘Let’s Play,’ and the Landscape Ontario Otium Outdoor Exercise Garden will fit the theme to a T. Otium is a name that I have trademarked for outdoor exercise gardens. It is a word used in early Greece to describe the down time soldiers had between battles in which they would pursue activities to keep active and physically fit. Again, the word was used in early 17th century Italy to describe an outdoor pavilion that was in the landscape and separate from the estate where people went to exercise. Easy on the eyes and tough on the body, the innovative landscape concept combines a form of boot camp style exercises performed in the garden to strengthen one’s health, well being, and connection to nature. The concept for this year’s LO garden differs from traditional exercise parks that sport outdoor exercise equipment. Visitors will see an outdoor exercise circuit with features that are strategically designed for a range of fitness levels. I primarily design gardens for residential and recreational properties. While working for some professional athletes and health conscious clients, I started to include exercise programs into the landscape design. The exercise programs are very unique experiences because they are specific to the topography and conditions of a site and a new way to enjoy the garden. Landscape features in an Otium Outdoor Exercise Garden are designed to support an entire range of outdoor activities and exercises. For instance, in the Landscape Ontario Otium, banding patterns in the patio will define distance markers to perform warm up and cardio exercises. Paving patterns will also take the form of a ground ladder in which to step and jump on. Posts and railings are to be used for stretching, and various features will allow bands and suspension training systems to be attached to them for a full upper body workout. Landscape structures with exposed beams or brackets will support ropes that are used to strengthen the body’s core. Dip bars, monkey bars, and pull up bars will be further applied to the landscape structures. The cool down area is a zen-like space immersed in the garden and is used for stretching, meditation, and yoga. The orga-

nization of space, use of materials, and designed landscape features of the Landscape Ontario Otium will allow for a diverse range of warm-up, cardio, power training and cool-down areas. Landscape features in the Landscape Ontario Otium will be multi-functional to support a range of outdoor activities and exercises. Retaining walls and benches will be placed at different heights to open the fitness program to various levels for power and cardio training. The garden will have a natural stone rock climbing wall built by Dean McLellan, an outdoor sports court that functions as a terrace, areas for group or personal exercising and intimate garden settings with water features for meditation and yoga. The Otium shall accommodate beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts and promote the upcoming PanAm and Parapan Games. The exercise program itself will offer an endless combination of exercises and routines that can be done at various stages of difficulty, and appropriate for people of all ages and fitness levels. Train like an athlete in the Landscape Ontario Otium Outdoor Exercise Garden. The workouts will utilize the landscape design features to achieve a full body workout that improves all aspect of fitness. Each component of the workout has a different focus but together the program helps to improve strength, cardiovascular conditioning, muscular endurance, co-ordination, flexibility, and speed.

Recent research, published by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in collaboration with the European Centre of Environment and Human Health, states that participants exercising in natural environments have greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement, together with decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression. The study also stated that participants reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor activity and stated that they were more likely to repeat the activity at a later date. The power of the Landscape Ontario Otium at Canada Blooms is that it has the potential to demonstrate how to improve one’s physical and mental health through outdoor exercise. The benefit of this is that it has the potential to shift the way our society presently exercises and reconnect people to the outdoors. The Landscape Ontario Otium can be viewed at the 2015 Canada Blooms Festival, Mar. 13 to 22, at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. Jeremy Feenstra from Floristerra Greenhouses and Landscape Centre is leading the build of the garden and Landscape Ontario is calling on volunteers to become involved in the construction of the garden between Mar. 6-12. Contact Sally Harvey at sharvey@ landscapeontario.com if you are interested in becoming involved in the LO garden build. Shawn Gallaugher is owner and designer of Shawn Gallaugher Design of Aurora. He has taken on the task of designing the Landscape Ontario garden at Canada Blooms.

While it is ideal to have a property with various levels and open spaces, an Otium Exercise Garden can fit in any small urban environment. This is Shawn Gallaugher’s garden at Canada Blooms in 2012.

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Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) was the show stopper in the trial gardens in 2014.

Poor summer provides great conditions at Trial Garden By Rodger Tschanz Last summer was the summer that barely happened, or so it seemed to the many of us growing warm season plants in our gardens. If there was a plus side for a trial garden manager, it was that the climate last summer provided excellent conditions for testing the disease tolerance of the trial plants. Diseases such as botrytis speck on petunias and white mold on vinca and osteospermum flourished last year; cultivars that withstood that onslaught were exceptional. This review of good performers in the garden trials will focus on those plants that did well despite difficult growing conditions of 2014.

Shade plants

As plant suppliers try to offer consumers shade garden alternatives for impatiens, the number of shade plants in the trials has increased, accordingly. Begonias are one plant group that can offer lots of variety of form and colour for the shade garden. Long the purview of the interior landscape and rarely planted outdoors, the Rex begonia has become more commonly available for the home gardener. The Jurassic series of Rex begonia was trialed with fair to good results, depending upon the individual colour in the series. Jurassic Green Streak, Jurassic Silver Point and Jurassic Pink Shades showed

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vigorous growth throughout the season, while Jurassic Watermelon was the least vigorous of the series and even appeared stunted under certain growing conditions. Based on our trials in 2014, this begonia series grew better in the soilless mix of containers, than in the mineral soil of beds. Although the Rex begonia does bloom late in the season, the ornamental value of this plant lies chiefly in its colourful foliage. For bloom options in the begonia, we evaluated a number of wax begonias cultivars, as well as the relatively new group of Begonia boliviensis. The wax begonia is known to tolerate both full sun and shade conditions. The ‘Big’ series with red and pink flowers and both green and bronze coloured foliage options was a great addition to the landscape. Although not new to the industry, this series was grown again in 2014 to help promote its use in the landscape. Its vigorous growth in both containers and beds make it a great choice for large areas. The flowers stood up very well to pounding rain and cool fall weather. This begonia hybrid gets its name because of its tall growth habit and large leaves. The Santa Cruz Sunset begonia is a selection of B. boliviensis with orange flowers and small angel wing shaped leaves. This was trialed in both sun and shade and in ground beds and containers and was an excellent performer in all conditions. This plant has a semi-trailing habit that lends

itself well to use in containers, as well as ground beds. The New Guinea impatiens (NGI) is also seen as an alternative flower for shade gardens. Twice as many NGI and hybrids were trialed this year over previous years. Vigourous cultivars such as Sunpatiens, Big Bounce, and Super Sonic are some of the best for filling in shady garden areas. More seed-propagated NGI cultivars are in the marketplace now; check out the new colours available in the Florific and Divine series.

More petunia options for 2015

Petunias in general had a lot of disease pressure this past year with botrytis speck appearing on many trial entry blooms. This disease appeared as small whitish specks on the bloom, taking away from the overall bloom colour. One cultivar that has exceptional resistance to the disease, as well as pounding rain, was Whispers Star Rose. This cultivar has a trailing habit and a small flower with a pink star pattern on the petals. Another small-flowered cultivar with petunia characteristics is the series SuperCal. Although petunia-like in appearance, this series is actually a type of Petchoa, a cross between petunia and the calibrachoa. It has favourable characteristics of both genera. The foliage isn’t sticky, as is often the case with petunia foliage. It grows well in flowerbeds and containers, and has very good disease tolerance. What is it about a blue petunia that attracts the attention of visitors to the trial gardens? In 2013, FlashMob Bluerific was a favourite and in 2014 it was Happytoonia Blue. In addition to having a catchy cul-

tivar name, Happytoonia Blue grew very well in the beds and containers, despite the weather.

Some unusual plants for the garden

Cuphea is a relatively uncommon ornamental for the garden. It is easy to grow, and once established requires little maintenance. This is one genus that we haven’t tested for many years. Suddenly in 2014 we tested three cultivars. One of these cultivars, Cuphea Vermillionaire, is commonly called a firecracker plant. It’s a name that describes its small, but long, cylindrical-shaped flower that is coloured in shades of orange, yellow and red. This plant works well as filler in mixed containers and in the landscape, where conditions are hot and dry. The Sriracha series of the species Cuphea llavea was also trialed in 2014. In the culinary world, sriracha is a type of Southeast Asian hot sauce, while in the gardening world Sriracha is colourful, compact, and a low maintenance plant for hot, dry conditions. Unlike Vermillionaire, the Sriracha flowers are more pinwheeled in form and available in pink, rose and violet colours. This series proved very attractive to a wide range of pollinators. In ending this article, I would like to mention a plant that was, by chance, planted into the trial garden simply to create some height in the centre of a large trial bed at the Landscape Ontario office. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is an old fashioned Victorian vegetable that is related to the artichoke. It has large, thistle-like grey/green leaves and by the end of the growing season can be quite large; some of the plants in the trial garden reached diameters of almost two metres. I have noticed this plant is used by many municipalities in beds, where visual impact is needed; the same could be done for those landscape clients looking for something different. Availability of finished plants may be a limitation to its use, but the fact that cardoons are easy to grow from seed may help to overcome availability issues.

Fred C. Gloeckner & Co., Goldsmith Seeds, GreenFuse Botanicals, Jelitto Seeds, Kieft Seed, PAC, Pan American Seed, Pro-Veg Seeds, Proven Winners, New Mexico State University, Sakata Seeds, Selecta North America, Syngenta, Vanhof and Blokker, and William Dam Seeds Growers and suppliers Everris, Linwell Gardens, Plant Products, George Sant Greenhouses, Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses, Gro-Bark, JVK (Jack Van

Klaveren Ltd.), MCP Manufacturing, Myers Industries Lawn and Garden Group, SunGro Horticulture, Windmill Landscapes Other organizations All-America Selections, Association of Specialty Cutflower Growers, Guelph and Wellington County Master Gardeners, City of Guelph - Healthy Landscape Program, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Landscape Ontario and the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph

odger Tschanz, University of Guelph, R manages the Trial Gardens at Landscape Ontario home office in Milton.

The following companies helped to make the Trial Gardens a success:

Plant breeders and distributors American Takii, AmeriSeed, Ball Horticulture, Benary, Blooms of Bressingham, Danziger, Dummen Group, Florist Holland, Floranova,

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Many ideas to improve association emerge from Governance meeting Over 55 Landscape Ontario members gathered Dec. 4 to take part in the annual Governance meeting. The day-long discussions, organized by the LO Membership Committee, saw representation from all nine LO chapters and Landscape Contractors and Landscape Designers Sector Groups. Entitled, You Matter — Growing Landscape Ontario, the day was filled with intent discussions on how each attendee saw the future of the association. Roundtable discussions tackled a number of topics, followed by overall deliberations on ideas such as Brainstorming the Future of LO, Member Discounts, and Come Alive Outside. The round-table topic, Should Meetings be More Formal?, raised the importance of social aspects, relevant guest speakers and topics, maintaining professionalism in running the meetings, the importance of family-focused events, better attendance at evening meetings and attracting new members to meetings. This round-table was lead by Lindsay Drake Nightingale of Yorkshire Garden Services, Concord.

Host meetings via webinars

Emerging as a topic for future discussion was the idea of having webinars, so more people may engage. The round-table wanted to look at the idea of hosting a meeting where the speaker is plugged-in via the web, such as Skype, with a roundtable following the presentation. It was felt this would reduce the costs of having speakers attend. In the round-table entitled Communications — Making it Happen, led by Terry Childs of Nature’s Way Landscaping in Gananoque, a number of issues were chosen to be future discussions and action items. Some of these include the need for an updated contact list, keeping the main pages of the websites updated, and adjusting the enews as a way to eliminate the hierarchy of chapters. Other issues from the round-table were maintaining a list of community projects that Chapters and members are involved in to promote on horttrades.com and the LO website, and a system to sign-in to horttrades.com and select what kind of notifications members want to receive and what format they receive it in. Discussion

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also took place on better promotion of the Awards of Excellence winners, and setting up emails so that the chapter event info is clickable and can be immediately added into a member’s personal calendar. The round-table on Distance Communications was led by Laurie-Ann Stuart of LA Gardens in Barrie. This discussion centred around improving electronic communication, such as telecasting chapter meetings, Google hangouts, and seminars online.

New ideas

Some new ideas came from the roundtable on Promoting LO to the Public, led by Paul Doornbos CLT, CLP, of Thornbusch Landscaping in Lansdowne. It was felt that a short form ‘elevator speech’ be prepared so members could better promote what the association is about. As well, the table wanted to see promoting the message better at chapter levels, so that LO is made aware to the public. It was also felt that LO members could educate their own staff members about LO. “They represent the company, its owner and LO. Can this be incorporated into employee training?” The other idea was using the Green for Life brand to show the public who we are as members, but also what we do. Michael LaPorte CLT of Clearview Nursery in Stayner led the round-table discussion on Volunteer Time—Managing Burnout. Issues raised in this discussion centred around boredom, time management, setting limits, succession planning, better communication between staff and volunteers. The round-table on Peer to Peer was led by Ed Hansen of Hansen Lawn and Gardens in Ottawa. Two main issues were raised in this discussion. The group’s first recommendation to create a company profile and set goals, connect with another LO member within the association (not just a chapter) who have a similar profile (two new members in the same sector group) and partner in a mentoring kind of relationship, which would remove the competition between members that are very close geographically. The second recommendation was creating a foreman swap across chapters to remove the competition, but foster the learning and leadership skills that could be learned from this experience. The issue of Membership Dues was

led by Margot Byers of Ladybird Garden Design of Markdale. The group wants to see a membership dues committee led by Byers to evaluate the fees as well as other topics. Some of the issue includes introductory one-year membership at a different price point than an active membership and creating a membership category for companies with small staff, designers, etc., as their needs are different than larger organizations. The round-table discussion on the horttrades.com website asked, “Are we giving it away?” This round-table was led by Nick Solty of Solty and Sons in Cookstown. The group felt that a facelift is needed to make the site more user-friendly. The group also felt that non-members have too much access to materials that should be exclusive to members, such as professional development, resources and services be reserved for members only. To resolve this, the group wanted the home page to show the logo and basic info, with a box for member and one for non-member. A simple pass code for members would open the entire site. The group also wanted to see compatibility with smart phones and the latest technology.

Limit access to members

Other issues were chapter pages having a map showing borders; a password reset by LO at the time of dues renewal, so that companies who do not renew, no longer have access to resources; resources should include how-to videos, seminar videos, and access to board meeting minutes; a better search system; online magazine should be password protected for members only; when clicking on tabs it should open a separate page, as now you are taken away to the other website, making it difficult to return to horttrades site; and ability to pay and view educational seminars through website. Membership Committee chair Lexi Dearborn of Dearborn Design and Associates of Barrie, says that from the meeting, regional gatherings will take place. The groupings will include Ottawa, Upper Canada and Durham in one region, Golden Horseshoe, Toronto and Georgian Lakelands joining together and Waterloo, Windsor and London in another regional meeting. Dearborn says that from these meetings, notes and updates will be analyzed to formulate a plan. Specific issues that came out of the Governance meeting are creating updates to LO websites horttrades.com and landscapeonatio.com.

ASSOCIATION NEWS Peter van Stralen receives Premier’s Award

Peter van Stralen has found success in both business and as a motivational speaker. He was recognized for that success with a Premier’s Award.

Landscape Ontario member Peter van Stralen was honoured with a 2014 Premier’s Award. The CEO of Sunshine Brands, which includes two franchise brands, The Grounds Guys and the Sprinkler Guys, was the winner of the business category. His companies have 180 locations across Canada and the U.S. The Premier’s Awards recognize outstanding graduates from Ontario’s 24 public colleges. The awards are presented annually in six categories: Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate and Technology. More than 800 people attended the celebration at the Fairmont Royal York hotel on Nov. 24, as part of the Higher Education Summit. Upon accepting his award, van Stralen said, “It is a huge honour to be chosen from such an impressive list of nominees.” He graduated from Humber College as a Landscape Technician in 1990. “When I first began in business, my experience at Humber gave me the confidence to succeed.” He went on to thank former Humber professors Tony DiGiovanni, now executive director of Landscape Ontario, and Ian Bruce, now owner of Bruce Tree Expert Company of Toronto. “I continue to deal with both these men in business.” The acceptance speech caused quite a stir when van Stralen said that he and his nine brothers, who all work at Sunshine Brands, thank their parents for showing them the benefits of good ethics. Van Stralen is also the author of C.A.R.E. Leadership. He is regularly

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

klers; Greg Riddell, of Riddell Aquatic Science, talking about Managing Algae in Recycling Ponds, and Kristen Hoffman, of Workplace Safety Prevention Services, presenting Safety in the Nursery. The morning will conclude with the New Products Showcase, Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Board announcements, and lunch. The afternoon agenda includes Tom Hsiang, of the University of Guelph, on The World of Rotting Wood; Jason Henry, of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, speaking on nursery research; Youbin Zheng, of the University of Guelph, speaking on Using Nutrients More Efficiently; Melissa Spearing, of Ground Covers Unlimited, talking on The International Seed Bank. Julian Suurd will highlight the afternoon agenda with his talk on Soil Agronomy for Nursery Production. The day will conclude with Chris Pieper, of Pieper Nurseries, demonstrating How to Survive an MOE Audit, and the always-popular Grower Good Ideas. The event will be sponsored by Direct Solutions. Pre-registration is $75 for LO members, and on-site registration is $90. For more information, contact Kathleen Pugliese at kpugliese@landscapeontario.com.

Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Short Course returns to Royal Botanical Gardens

invited to speak on leadership and personal and professional growth. He will give the closing keynote address at Congress 2015 on Build Your Business with Leadership. Each attendee will receive a copy of van Stralenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book, and have an opportunity ask him questions. One of van Stralenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s messages is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. A key factor to becoming successful at anything in life, whether personal or business-related is the quantity and quality of hard work that we invest in it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all heard the saying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;work smarter, not harder.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; My experience has been that you have to do both. To get to the next level you need to work smarter and harder.â&#x20AC;?

The theme at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nursery Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Short Course is Crop Nutrition and Water Quality in Collection Ponds. The annual short course will take place on Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Along with a great line-up of speakers, the event includes a continental breakfast, full lunch, refreshments, trade show and program and all the networking you can handle. Following breakfast, Jen Llewellyn of OMAF will begin the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topics with Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bugging Your Nursery Crops, followed by Julian Suurd of Suurd Agri Sales, who will speak on Agronomy for Nursery Production. The rest of the morning will include Jason Deveau of OMAF, speaking on Latest in Sprayer Technology; Jeanine West, of PhytoServ, speaking on Impact Sprin-

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Ottawa Chapter’s Awards of Distinction to stir achievement

Ottawa Chapter’s Awards of Distinction will be launched on Feb. 10, the night before the trade show, at a ticketed gala awards and casino night. Designed to foster, recognize, and inspire excellence among Ottawa Chapter members, the annual awards, modeled after the LO Awards of Excellence, will stir competitive spirit and stimulate improvement, advancement and achievement in the local industry. “Since the 2015 construction and maintenance season won’t begin until after GreenTrade Expo, we won’t hand out the first Member Awards until 2016,” said Bruce Morton, Chapter Trade Show Chair. “So for this Gala we are introducing the annual Customer’s Choice Awards for associate member suppliers. This will be a uniquely Ottawa spin to our awards night.” The supplier awards are a fun new twist to recognize excellence in our associate members. All industry customers are invited to visit the GreenTrade Expo website at greentrade.ca, and nominate their favorite 2014 season suppliers in

four company categories and one individual award. These will include Best Plant Materials Supplier, Best Hardscape Materials Supplier, Best Landscape Equipment and Accessory Supplier, Best Supplier to the Landscape Trades (any service or supplies used by an industry business, but not used directly in the landscape build) and finally, the individual Best Salesperson of the Year for 2014. The competition is open to all associate members across the Province who sell into the Ottawa market. Nominations closed on Jan. 5, after which time industry people are invited to visit the GreenTrade website to vote for their favorites. The nominees receiving the most votes will be presented with awards, and bragging rights for the year at this year’s gala, which will be followedup by a ticketed, Vegas-style casino night. “We wanted to come up with a fun way to acknowledge the great service we get from the associate member companies that support our industry in Ottawa, and also to create another opportunity for our exhibitors to spend more time building relationships with their customers. What better way than a party the night before

the show?” asked Morton. If you would like more information on the Ottawa Awards of Distinction, sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets for the event, contact Martha Walsh, manager of GreenTrade Expo 2015, at marthawalsh@greentrade.ca, or call 800-265-5656, ext. 2368.

Industry Certified members recommend taking the test

The 2015 schedule for Landscape Industry Certified tests has been announced. Four of the dates include hands on exams, while there will be 11 opportunities for candidates to take the written part of the Certified testing. A recent survey among members shows some strong reasons to obtain certification. Ron Swentiski CLD of Trillium Associates, Thornhill, was one of the original founders of the certification process. “Although, not formally recognized outside of the industry, it adds some credence to our plans as designers,” says Swentiski. “It (certification) creates a level of professionalism which creates business opportunities. However, a profes-

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Ron Swentiski

Tim Kearney

sional stamp which is recognized outside of the industry would also go a long way.” Harold Deenen CLP of Hank Deenen Landscaping, Toronto, says he was inspired to challenge himself. Other factors were showing examples to his employees and public recognition of professionalism. Carmine Felice CLP of Greentario Landscaping in Hamilton believes certification is important for our industry to be

Harold Deenen

viewed as a certified trade, just like electricians, plumbers, etc. “It is important that we support the certification programs.” On a personal level, Felice says, “Completing the courses and continuing my education helped to keep me on my game, while dealing with others in the industry has provided me with a wealth of information and support.” Tim Kearney CLP of Garden Creations of Ottawa, says, “A certified workforce

lends credibility to our profession and industry. We talk about creating relevance. If certification meant professional and skilled, then the public would potentially prefer dealing with a certified landscape technician or professional, and that would create a demand. By creating a demand, we would also create relevance and this would increase our membership. Potential members would then need to get certified in order to stay credible, thus creating a relevant and professional industry.” Offering advice to those thinking of taking the exam, Swentiski says “If you have the basic knowledge to run a business, or the basic knowledge to do your job, the test is easy.” Deenen recommends those ready to test themselves should read the study guides and focus on safety. Kearney’s advice on preparing for the tests is, “Think big picture and know you are being part of the solution versus a problem. Don’t be afraid to fail. You will surprise yourself. It will give you a great sense of pride that you can pass on to fellow staff, employees and customers.” To view the schedule of certification test dates, go to, horttrades.com/certification, or contact certification@landscapeontario.com.

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Golden Horseshoe Spring Event on Mar. 31

The Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s Gear Up for Spring Event has become one of the most popular chapter events of the year. Last year saw over over 250 landscape professionals in attendance, representing a variety of sectors such as garden centres, grounds management, growers, landscape contractors, lawn care, interiorscape, irrigation, lighting, and snow and ice. This year the trade show and education day with the Ministry of Transportation and the Workplace Safety and Prevention, will take place on Mar. 31 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds at Marritt Hall. This event is free of charge to Landscape Ontario members and their employees. Attendees are provided insight with up-to-date information they need to know to take a proactive approach to safety compliance. For more information, contact Lee Rozon at 1-877-640-4005, or email lrozon@landscapeontario.com

LO members nominated for entrepreneur awards

Two Landscape Ontario member companies have received nominations for the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Drew Hutchinson, Eric Olfert, Brian Roy and Tom Taylor of Tree Amigos Landscaping of Virgil and Scott Duff of Aura Landscaping of St. Catharines are nominated for the annual award. This is Duff’s second consecutive nomination. The Awards dinner will take place on Feb. 20. In photo, from left, Brian Roy, Drew Hutchinson, Scott Duff, Eric Olfert and Tom Taylor.

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W ga M sh

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Lighting conference returns to Teatro

The 6th annual Landscape Lighting Conference is scheduled for Feb. 26 at Teatro Conference and Event Centre, 121 Chisholm Dr., in Milton. It is located right off of highway 401, and will provide more space for this growing event, as well as an excellent catering team; lunch is included as part of the day. Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Lighting Sector Group is host and planning committee of this event, and has worked hard to ensure the content for the day will be geared to the seasoned contractor and not just for beginners. Several exhibitors will have products on display. It is their opportunity to showcase new products for the coming season. The focus will be on what matters most to today’s lighting contractor: safety, new technology and design. These topics will be the focus of the popular roundtable discussions. More time will be spent on these and attendees will rotate between rooms to ensure adequate time is spent on each topic. The agenda will also include an important and timely keynote on how to properly climb and mount lights in trees during

The Landscape Lighting Conference has continued to grow over its six years of existence.

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installation, proper pruning techniques and climbing safety. These issues affect even the most-seasoned contractor. Tickets are $90 for LO members and $110 for non-members until Feb. 16. Registration and more details available at lightingconference.ca.

Ontario magazine. John Veldman, owner of Courtland Property Management in Tillsonburg, wants to clarify that he did not create the software he uses at Courtland alone. In response to the article, he states, “I developed a database that we (Courtland) used for five to six years. I met Raqib Omer, as he was doing a research project, which we discussed. At the time he was developing a web-based software he called Viaesys, because there was no correct or consistent data to do research in this industry. There was a close collaboration between Viaesys and Courtland on the project. The software we use today at Courtland is running on a Viaesys system.”

In Memoriam — Gordon Petrie

After a courageous battle with cancer, Gordon Petrie passed away at the age of 59, on Nov. 14, 2014, in his home in Oakville. Owner of The Petrie Group of companies, operating out of Oakville, Gordon provided employment and services to his community for over 30 years. Petrie’s Quality Topsoil is a long-standing member of Landscape Ontario. Gordon Petrie leaves behind his wife Susan, and children Adam, Alison, and Rachel. The funeral service was held at Christ Church United in Mississauga on Nov. 19.

Dine with your peers at the Landscape Lecture Series

Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Contractors’ Sector Group will host its annual annual lecture event on Feb. 18, featuring a landscape contractor and a landscape architect. Join them for dinner, and gain inspiration and understanding as each presenter will walk you through their most memorable and noteworthy landscapes.

Clarification

A clarification is required in the article, Courtland Property Management’s software saves time and money, published in the November 2014 issue of Landscape

The evening will begin with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. The location for the 2015 event will be at Chateau Le Jardin Conference and Event Centre in Woodbridge. Tickets are $20 per person until Feb. 9, when pricing goes up to $30 per person. The subsidized pricing is available due to the generosity of the event sponsors. Registration and details are at landscapelecture.ca.

Waterloo member wins award for Ottawa living wall

North America’s tallest bio filter living wall, located in the new Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa, has been awarded the 2014 Green Roof and Wall Award of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) at the Cities Alive Conference in Tennessee in November. Measuring six stories, or 78 ft. tall, this bio-living wall was designed by Dr. Alan Darlington, of Nedlaw Living Walls, a Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter member located in Breslau. The new 15-story building, featuring the living wall, opened in October 2014. It

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ASSOCIATION NEWS was designed to follow strict environmental guidelines, and to provide enough space to accommodate 10,000 students, 260 professors and 100 staff members in state-of-the-art facilities. The entire second floor was designed expressly for students, providing them with numerous study areas and places to gather and thus offering a rich and inspiring student experience. Each floor boasts meeting rooms, making it easy for researchers and students to get together to work on projects. The new building is far more than just a spectacular architectural jewel, it meets strict environmental guidelines, which reflect the faculty’s values and the university’s formal commitment to sustainable development. The living wall provides enough humidity and air purification for the entire building. The wall is a bio filter, designed to work in a single pass, to clean up to 85 per cent of volatile organic compounds. The structure is filled with 2,000 tropical plants, from 12 species. Irrigated through a vertical hydroponic system, water catchment is located at the base of the living wall, draining the water to a reservoir located on the floor below. Inline pumps lift the water from the reservoir to the top of the wall and the water is spread through a diffuser evenly across the top. The growth medium allows the water to trickle down through it to the catchment. Reservoir volume is maintained through a separate electronic system. The University of Ottawa sought LEED Gold certification for the building, which was achieved in September 2014. Also receiving an award at the 12th Annual Cities Alive conference was Dr. Youbin Zheng and the University of Guelph Green Roof Research Team, for their research on green roof sedum plant and production maintenance. — Martha Walsh

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NEW MEMBERS

Land-Pros Inc

Bruno Zaffino 213 Rosehealth Dr, Maple, ON L6A 2A3 Tel: 905-850-2338 Membership Type: Interim

Pfaff Leasing

Georgian Lakelands

Ottawa

Brickland Wholesale Inc

Bernwood Contractors & Consultants Inc.

Grant Pringle PO Box 250, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5P3 Tel: 519-376-8118 Membership Type: Associate

Brownlee Equipment

Brian Brownlee 332416 Hwy 11 N, PO Box 700, Earlton, ON P0J 1E0 Tel: 705-563-2212 Membership Type: Associate

DRM Enterprises

Don Mccallum LOT 26 - 788075 Grey Rd 13, RR 1, Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0 Tel: 519-373-7019 Membership Type: Associate

Deck Masters Of Canada

David Bartnik 4745 8th Line, RR 1, Beeton, ON L0G 1A0 Tel: 416-881-3325 Membership Type: Associate

Dimension Homes Inc

Rob Ballantyne 2 Winfield Dr E, Oro Medonte, ON L0L 2E0 Tel: 705-734-6088 Membership Type: Associate

Josh McKay Landscape Construction Joshua McKay 2443 Carlyon Line, Orillia, ON L3V 6H4 Tel: 705-323-7499 Membership Type: Active

South Mary Lake Contracting Inc Bruce Fitter 365 Hwy 60, Huntsville, ON P1H 1B9 Tel: 705-788-4747 Membership Type: Active

Trevor Freamo 10 Pattermead Cres, Ottawa, ON K1V 0G2 Tel: 613-227-8996 Membership Type: Active

Roy Rosa 183 Beechtree Cres, Oakville, ON L6L 0A4 Tel: 905-825-3618 Membership Type: Active

Hervey Bruce 2588 Delzotto Ave, Ottawa, ON K1T 3V7 Tel: 613-822-2154 Membership Type: Associate

University Pro Landscapers, Paving, Pools & Spas

H2ZEN Inc

Charles Gagnon 107 Industrielle-Nadeau St, Saint-Victor, QC G0M 2B0 Tel: 888-620-2080 Membership Type: Associate

Solutions Aquasol

Eric Beaudin 5030 Martineau St, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2R 1T9 Tel: 450-799-5158 Membership Type: Associate

Toronto Burl-Oak Landscaping

Lou’ay Sulaiman 5449 Remington Crt, Mississauga, ON L5V 2E7 Tel: 905-399-7934 Membership Type: Active

Chapman Builders Supplies

David Lyons 4189 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1E 2M5 Tel: 416-282-1723 Membership Type: Active

Cutleaf Landscaping Ltd

Golden Horseshoe Eckert Precision Landscape Construction

Dewinter Masonry Ltd

Zarcon Inc

Halton Crushed Stone

Adam Zaremba 869 Effingham St, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Tel: 905-892-0131 Membership Type: Active

Rosa & Rosa Landscape Contractors Ltd

Bruce Sales Inc

Daniel D’amico 413 London Rd, Newmarket, ON L3Y 6G3 Tel: 416-688-8271 Membership Type: Active

Fred Eckert 993 Ridge Rd N, Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0 Tel: 289-687-1644 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Paul Hewitt F-44/45 - 9100 Jane St, Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4 Tel: 416-707-4923 Membership Type: Associate

Clarence Dewinter 3909 Line 8, Bradford, ON L3Z 2A5 Tel: 416-464-6202 Membership Type: Active

Kyle Banks 1 St. Andrews Dr, Orangeville, ON L9W 4C8 Tel: 519-217-7229 Membership Type: Active

Varcon Construction Corporation

Tammy Dawney 8211 Mayfield Rd, Brampton, ON L6P 0H5 Tel: 905-794-2041 Membership Type: Active

Waterloo PM Ireland Property Maintenance

Jeff Ireland 446 Stillmeadow Circle, Waterloo, ON N2L 5M3 Tel: 519-221-0542 Membership Type: Active

S&B Landscaping

Simon Haazer 168 Woodhill Rd, RR 1, Lynden, ON L0R 1T0 Tel: 519-647-9873 Membership Type: Active

Stanley Yardcare

Ronald Stanley 337 Thorncrest Dr, Waterloo, ON N2L 5R6 Tel: 519-884-1549 Membership Type: Active

Windsor Flood’s Nursery Farm Ltd

Kevin Flood 3641 County Rd 31, Ruthven, ON N0P 2G0 Tel: 519-326-8790 Membership Type: Active

Serv-A-Yard

Dominic Crupi 85 Passmore Ave, Toronto, ON M1V 4S9 Tel: 416-291-1986 Membership Type: Associate

John DeBlock 2089 Rokeby Line, Mooretown, ON N0N 1M0 Tel: 519-336-9690 Membership Type: Active

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EVENTS

February 11

GreenTrade Expo 2015

Bookmark horttrades.com/comingevents for up-to-date event information. January 29

February 4

Dominion Golf Course Windsor Chapter’s first meeting of 2015 will begin with lunch at noon, followed by the meeting at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Jay Rivait at jaytopgrade@hotmail.com.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington This year’s short course is about Crop Nutrition and Water Quality in Collection Ponds, with featured speaker Julian Suurd, of Suurd Agri Sales. Along with a great line-up of speakers, the event includes a continental breakfast, full lunch, refreshments, trade show and program and all the networking you can handle. Registration is $75 for LO members. For more information, contact Kathleen Pugliese at kpugliese@ landscapeontario.com.

Windsor Chapter meeting

February 3

Durham Chapter meeting

Quality Hotel, 1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa Join Durham Chapter for its first meeting of 2015 featuring all things landscape design, including the latest software programs. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Myscha Burton at myscha@landscapeontario.com, or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354. February 4

Waterloo Chapter meeting

Stam Nurseries Inc.

145 Dearborn Place, Waterloo Waterloo Chapter’s first meeting in 2015 begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Myscha Burton at myscha@landscapeontario.com, or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

Growers Short Course

February 10

London Chapter meeting

591 Wellington Road, London Join the London Chapter for its first meeting of 2015 featuring all things safety, with the latest updates from the Ministry of Transportation and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. Join Chapter members at 12-noon for lunch, with the meeting following at 1 p.m. An RSVP is requested by Jan. 28 to Wendy Harry at wharry@landscapeontario.com.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year

EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa The 22nd annual event is presented by the Ottawa Chapter. For more information, contact Martha at mwalsh@landscapeontario.com, or call 613-796-5156. February 16

Golden Horseshoe Chapter Family Fun Skate

Gateway Ice Centre, Hamilton Celebrate Family Day with your Landscape Ontario family and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter from 10 a.m. to 12-noon. Landscape Ontario members and their families are welcome, all courtesy of Grand River Natural Stone. Lunch follows at Don Cherry’s Sports Grill. Don’t forget to bring donations of non-perishables for the Stoney Creek Food Bank. For more information, contact Lee Rozon at 1-877640-4005, or lrozon@landscapeontario.com. February 18

Upper Canada Chapter meeting

Invista Centre, Kingston The topic of this meeting is business management. It will take place in the downstairs A&B Room at the Invista Centre, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Myscha Burton at myscha@ landscapeontario.com, or 1-800-265-5656, ext 354.

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TE A ED H ET V SA

INDUSTRY NEWS First step for nursery industry certification A dedicated group of nursery professionals from across Canada took part in an all-day session to share their expertise for the development of a National Occupational Standard (NOS) for the nursery sector. The NOS is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada. It is used daily by thousands of people to understand the jobs found throughout Canada’s labour market. This facilitated session was an important first step towards the development of a certified nursery worker program, as part of the Landscape Industry Certified suite of programs which currently exist for the landscape construction, landscape maintenance, design and retail garden centre sectors of the industry. With financial support from Human Resource and Skills Development Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program, the objective of the nursery worker certification project is to develop the required training and testing programs to ensure a minimum standard of competency required by nursery technicians in today’s complex production sector. The group set out to determine the level of worker skill most needed by the nursery sector. It was generally accepted that the largest skill gap within the sector was to find nursery workers in the low-to-middle management area, as low skill tasks are adequately met through the sector’s

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access to the offshore worker program. The standard-setting day was held on Dec. 11 in British Columbia under the guidance of Kwantlen College’s Bruce McTavish and HortEducation BC’s program manager Annika Kristensen. Ontario members taking part in the session, included Rob Albrecht of John’s Nurseries, in Waterloo; Adam Kobes, of Kobes Nurseries, Bowmanville; and Nick Winkelmolen, of Winkelmolen Nurseries, Lynden.

Focus group members needed to examine new Toolkit

Following the success of the first Growing People Toolkit, focus group meetings are underway to develop the Growing Business Toolkit. The inaugural focus group was held at LO home office in Milton with great success. Now meetings are set for Ottawa and London. “The objective of the new Growing Business Toolkit is to provide an integrated framework of tools and information for owners to grow their businesses by developing strategy, leadership and talent,” says Landscape Ontario Manager of Education and Development, Sally Harvey, CLP, CLT. Landscape Ontario and CNLA, along with Vicky Smith of Contact Coaching and Training Services, are working together

for over

on the project. The new resource is for companies employing 25 or more people. This exciting new program aims to build on the success of Landscape Ontario’s Growing People Toolkit, launched in 2011. “It was built to provide practical information and easy-to-apply human resources tools for busy owners and managers. Guidance gleaned from focus groups was a key element in its relevance and success,” says Harvey. Goals set out for the focus groups include: Identify the critical issues and challenges affecting sustainable business growth; review the draft table of contents for the Growing Business Toolkit, and generate recommendations and ideas for tools that will facilitate business growth through strategy, leadership and talent development. “We need your help. Your recommendations will influence the decisions on the content and format of the Toolkit,” says Harvey. The Ottawa focus meeting is set for Jan. 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Richcraft Sensplex, 813 Shefford Road, in the HEO boardroom. The London meeting will take place on Feb. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London, in the Summit Room. Confirm your participation by emailing Kathy McLean at kathym@landscapeontario. com by Jan. 23, 2015.

Bill 18 will affect LO members

The Ontario Government has passed Bill 18, which will have an impact on Landscape Ontario members. The province has dubbed the new legislation as the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014. The province says the Act is designed to increase

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INDUSTRY NEWS protections for vulnerable workers. Included with the Act are items such as tying future minimum wage increases to the Ontario Consumer Price Index. This will be announced by April of each year, and come into effect on Oct.1. Other issues under the Act, include: • Ensuring Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) coverage for unpaid co-op students and other unpaid learners, which will give them protection under the OHSA, such as the right to know about workplace hazards and the right to refuse unsafe work. • Eliminating the $10,000 cap on the recovery of unpaid wages through Ministry of Labour orders to pay, and increasing the period of recovery to two years. • Expanding employment protections to cover all foreign employees who come to Ontario under an immigration or foreign temporary employee program. • Holding temporary help agencies and their employer clients accountable for certain employment standards violations, such as failure to pay regular wages, overtime pay, and public holiday entitlements. To view the Act, go to http://gfl.me/x2n5.

New workers more likely injured

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers, supervisors and workers all have a responsibility to help protect all workers, including new workers. Workers who are new to a job are three times more likely to be injured during their first month on the job than more experienced workers. A new worker can be anyone who is starting a first job, or is on the job for less than six months. A new worker can also be an individual who is assigned a new job, has recently moved to Ontario, or who is returning to the workforce after a long absence. In fact, any worker that is placed in a new environment or given new responsibilities should be given appropriate training and support. If they are not trained, they can be at risk for safety hazards. Employers are required to: • Ensure that all required equipment, materials and protective devices are provided, used and maintained in good condition. • Provide information and instruction to workers by posting a copy of the OHSA in the workplace; Preparing a written occupational health and safety policy that is reviewed annually and developing and

maintaining a program to implement the policy if there are more than five workers in the workplace Supervisors are required to: • Ensure workers wear the required personal protective equipment and use protective devices provided. • Advise workers of any potential or actual health or safety dangers. Workers are required to: • Use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer. • Report any known workplace hazards or contraventions of the OHSA to the supervisor or employer. More information is available on the ministry’s website at http://gfl.me/x2n6.

MOL blitz focuses on temporary work

This month, the Ministry of Labour is focusing on contraventions of the Employment Standards Act, with a particular focus on public holiday pay, at temporary help agencies across Ontario. The ministry will also continue to address contraventions of other employment standards during the course of the blitz. The province says it is helping to protect vulnerable workers by proactively inspecting temporary help agencies during a twomonth employment standards blitz. “Temporary help agencies introduce a talented pool of workers to the workforce to fill immediate needs, but there are risks for worker exploitation. It’s important workplaces know their responsibilities, and this blitz gives us an opportunity to educate them about their duties and help ensure workers are being treated fairly,” says Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn.

New regulations for working at heights

There are new regulatory requirements for working at heights training in construction. To improve the quality and consistency of training on construction projects, the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) has established the Working at Heights Training Program and Provider Standards. As of April 1, 2015, new regulatory requirements will require that employers ensure workers who use specified fall protection equipment on construction projects successfully complete a CPO approved working at heights training program delivered by a CPO approved training provider. Workers already trained under the current fall protection training requirements before April 1, 2015 have an additional two years to be trained under the new

20 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2015

Growing People Toolkit updated

The Growing People Toolkit has been a popular resource for LO members over the past few years. Recently a number of updates were made to the information. Available on the horttrades website, it is a comprehensive guide for human resources management. All forms and documents can be downloaded and customized to meet your company’s needs. Updates include frequently asked questions, issues of paid and unpaid time off, job descriptions, human rights legislation and much more. To access the Growing People Toolkit, go to horttrades.com/hrtoolkit.

requirements. The Ministry of Labour will start accepting applications from training providers on January 5, 2015. Training standards, application forms and other resources for training providers are available on labour.gov. on.ca/english/hs/topics/heights.php.

WSIB helping workers get back to employment

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Work Transition program was developed to meet the unique needs of injured workers. The WSIB says this kind of improved service and renewed focus on helping people get back to work are two top priorities, as the organization marks its 100th anniversary. Thanks to major investments in customer service and technology, 92 per cent of injury claims are now decided within two weeks — many within 24 hours. Every injury is unique and not all workers are able to return to their pre-injury jobs, however, most workers recover and return to work shortly after an injury. Statistics show that 88 per cent are off benefits within three months and 96 per cent are off benefits within a year. Research shows the importance of

doing some work – even light work – within 90 days of their injuries. Otherwise, the odds that they will ever return drop by 50 per cent. In 2009, WSIB created a new Return to Work Program and now employs around 300 return-to-work staff to help workers return to their current workplace or assist those with more complicated cases. The role also includes helping those who cannot return to their current workplace find alternative employment opportunities. Last year, WSIB Return to Work staff made more than 26,000 visits to workplaces to help injured workers get back, more safely and quickly, to their jobs. A worker injured on the job gets medical care that’s five times greater than what OHIP would cover for someone not injured at work. For example, WSIB contracts with hospitals, enabling back surgery within as few as five days of requesting it. As a result, health outcomes for injured workers have improved. Since workers are now back to work more quickly and safely, this has contributed to lower benefit costs, making the system more sustainable for the future. For more information on the WSIB program, go to http://gfl.me/x2nn.

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EXECUTIVE DESK Never Forgotten National Memorial Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

few months ago one of our Toronto members, Bernie Wolfe of Crystal Lawn Care, called me. Bernie is involved in an amazing project to build a Never Forgotten National Memorial called Mother Canada on Nova Scotia’s beautiful Cabot Trail. The memorial is respectfully modeled after the statue Canada Bereft in Vimy, France. Both memorials are a solemn place for remembrance and gratitude. Both are a tribute to thousands who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country. Mother Canada will be situated on the opposite coast looking out across the vast Atlantic Ocean facing Canada Bereft. Bernie wanted to know if Landscape Ontario would help in realizing this vision. I told Bernie that our members are known for their contribution ethic and generosity. London Chapter has done a remarkable job helping with London Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. Ottawa Chapter has long organized a wonderful Day of Tribute at Beechwood Cemetery. Mark Cullen’s Trees for Life Group has started discus-

sions with the Ministry of Transportation in an effort to landscape the Highway of Heroes. It would not take too much effort to organize an industry community-build to landscape the Mother Canada site. Since the initial meeting with Bernie, we have taken the proposal forward to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, which coincidently held its meeting steps away from the proposed site in Cape Breton. The CNLA board loved the idea and was anxious to help. We had the same reaction at the Landscape Ontario board meeting. The concept immediately touches people emotionally. Most of our members have had some experience with the loss caused by war. Many of our Dutch members have a strong sense of gratitude to the Canadian liberators who helped to restore peace in the midst of the turmoil and pain of World War II. For this reason, Landscape Ontario involvement has expanded beyond the landscaping, and we look forward to assisting with fundraising. On Dec. 10, a small committee made up of Bernie Wolfe, John Bakker, Tiffany Byrd, Paul Brydges, Lee Ann Knudsen, Allan Dennis and Hank Gelderman got together to develop a fundraising plan. The goal is to raise $500,000 from the industry to help make the vision a reality. The committee looked at all of our touch points in an effort to identify how to raise

The proposed Mother Canada monument in Nova Scotia.

22 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2015

awareness and funds for this project. If you have any ideas or would like to contribute, please let me know.

Actions reflect well on all of us

On another topic, did you see the CTV Consumer Alert segment about the homeowner who had a painful experience working with a contractor? Make sure you read the cover story on page 4 of this issue. If you have not seen the CTV newscast, it is worth going to this link at http://gfl.me/x2mR. There is an old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” There is also another saying, “Action speaks louder than words.” The action taken by Chris Ray of Humber Valley Landscaping, and his team of caring suppliers, industry members and wonderful students from the Humber College Landscape Technician program spoke very loudly about integrity, pride, honesty, respect and trust. The industry owes them a debt of gratitude. Their actions reflect well on all of us. Here are some comments from our LinkedIn group. “I saw this on the news and was so proud of all who stepped up. It certainly showed how professionals perform. Well done!” Kathy Thomas, of Green Thumb Landscaping of Burlington. “Wow!!!! Way to go Chris and everyone involved. Tony...this clip should be sent everywhere for people to see. It should also lead off our Awards of Excellence program at Congress and a special award given. Everyone benefits from this amazing gesture. Our family of LO members are walking around with a little bit more of a spring in their step today.” Tim Kearney, of Garden Creations of Ottawa. “A tremendous thank you to Chris Ray and all the wonderful companies and especially the students. This should stand out on their resumes! Many members of Landscape Ontario do wonderful contributions to and for the industry at large. I wish they could all get the same recognition as this project. What stood out for me the most was the professionalism of the company, the workers and the finished work. Our industry could not afford the cost of such a positive commercial. Congratulations all around.” J. Paul Lamarche, president, JPL Consulting of Newmarket. “Awesome job by everyone who contributed to help the couple. Makes me happy to see things like that happen and people who love their job and to finish it till the end. Amazing story.” Ryan Boyd Foreman at Greenlife Landscaping of Greely. Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tony@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS The media love our industry By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of Public Relations and Membership Services

ast month, just before Christmas, we were contacted by a CTV producer who wanted to do a live program about the holiday season. One reason producers really like working with our members is because we make it easy for them to create a fabulous show that keeps viewers engaged. We decided to do the shoot at Vandermeer Nursery in Ajax. Why was it a success? Because we supplied all the elements that the network was looking for to satisfy its viewers. These include: Eye candy: Every camera operator’s dream is a greenhouse full of colourful plants, displays and lots of bling. Elsewhere, the TV company would need to spend a considerable amount of time and cost creating those displays. The folks at the garden centre were very accommodating and moved racks and trees around to create wonderful backdrops. Content: Sometimes shows must hire researchers and writers to produce scripts and story lines, whereas we always have horticultural experts on hand to supply the information. In this case, John Vandermeer performed wonderfully on camera by giving advice and tips on new plant varieties, care of plants and ideas viewers could use in their own homes. Environment: Many shows like to include a tie-in with the environment. In this case, Sandra, a member of the Vandermeer team, did an excellent job on describing the type of winter habitat to create for birds in your garden, while Amanda Vandermeer jumped right in and promptly tweeted the information to her many followers. Social media: An integral part of promoting a TV show is also to have a strong Twitter, Facbook, etc., presence.

Again, our industry has that in place. Community: The fifth and final component to round out a successful show is of course the warm and fuzzies that connect with a local community project or charity. In this case, Vandermeer’s had a promotion called Pet Pictures with Santa, which supports the Humane Society of Durham Region. At the end of the day it was a hit episode! It can be viewed on our website at http://gfl.me/o2mT. In 2015 you should consider how YOU can get attention from the media by leveraging the great stories you may have to offer.

Content is king when you offer gardening advice to local publications. Newspapers and magazines are always looking for experts to give horticultural tips, particularly pertaining to local conditions and zones. If you need help with articles, feel free to contact us. If you have won an Award of Excellence from Landscape Ontario, you deserve to be recognized for your creativity. Local media outlets crave good news stories, and are delighted to run with a headline such as, ‘Local landscape company wins provincial award.’ Again, contact us to help you make the connection. The Green for Life Community Award is a something we will be promoting through our chapters. We will recognize and promote the projects where you have so generously donated your talents, time and materials in order to make a difference. Let’s make 2015 a win-win year for the media and the landscape industry. Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.

John Vandermeer, left, answers questions from CTV’s Anwar Knight.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 23

MEMBERSHIP Growing Landscape Ontario By Myscha Burton Membership and Chapter Coordinator

he year 2015 is finally here. Congress kicked off the year with a bang and it was wonderful to see so many LO members and to finally announce the winner of the Chapter Challenge. To wrap up 2014, we hosted our annual Governance Day, this year entitled You Matter — Growing Landscape Ontario. This event was undoubtedly a huge success. With over 50 representatives from all Chapters, as well as representatives from Sector Groups, we were able to engage in a day dedicated to addressing the challenges that 2014 posed for our association, and where we can head in 2015. This year’s Governance involved a lot of brainstorming of where LO can go in the future. This included envisioned news headlines in five year’s time, future endorsed suppliers that our members want to connect with, as well as a variety of roundtable discussions on items such as dues, our website, chapter meetings etc.

From these discussions, we have created a list of action items for the coming year, including website updates, increasing the accessibility of seminars and chapter meetings, how to keep chapter meetings relevant, as well as the development of regionally-based meetings following a similar format to the annual Governance meeting. As I mentioned, this year’s Governance theme was all about growing Landscape Ontario. This topic is always on our minds for we are a member-driven association. If you have been to a Chapter meeting recently, you may have seen the phrase, ‘It is your association. Ownership. Direction. Fulfillment. Legacy.’ I think this was one of the most important take-away messages at Governance. I feel this phrase embodies the importance of our members, for without you, Landscape Ontario would not be what it is today; and we have proof! This September we reached a membership total of 2,393. We have seen a consistent increase in Associate and Chapter Associate members. This is largely a reflection of our trade shows and the fantastic networking opportunities and connections that are made through LO. At Governance, Lexi Dearborn brought up an interesting point from the data that

Leaders within Landscape Ontario gathered on Dec. 4 at LO’s home office to take part in a governance day that featured discussion to determine the future path of the association.

24 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2015

we received from our membership services survey (round 1). The majority of our members have been a part of LO for more than 10 years. I personally find this information very reassuring and a testament to the benefits that members get out of Landscape Ontario; far more than just a discount on a truck. The strength of our association, as well as the direction that LO takes in the future, will be determined by our members. We can see this sense of ownership and direction, as well as the idea of legacy through the ways in which our members and our chapters, to quote Tony DiGiovanni, “enhance lives”. In your everyday businesses, you do this by providing a service that beautifies a space, and improves the life of that client. We can see this enhancement on a larger scale through the teamwork of our members on various community-based projects including school greenings, creating more accessible outdoor spaces, etc. The idea of legacy of the association is defined and fulfilled by our members. The discussions that happened at Governance showcase the ideas of ownership and direction within our membership. Brainstorming new endorsed supplier programs and enhancing LO’s accessibility to the members are all ways in which the association will grow in the future as determined by our members. We are here to help meet your needs, and we value your input and involvement so that we can assist in continuing the development and growth of our association. Through your work, you embody what Landscape Ontario is about and your commitment to the association is incredible. Governance showcased all of these things. I am truly excited to see the plans for 2015 come to fruition such as chapter meetings, fantastic social events as well as community projects including the Toronto Chapter’s involvement with the first universally-accessible outdoor learning space in the York region. You can view the highlights of Governance in the horttrades.com archives accessed through Board of Director Minutes, under Governance 2014. For detailed information on upcoming Chapter meetings, visit horttrades.com and check your weekly enews. If you have a topic that you would like to see at a future chapter meeting, please let me know at myscha@landscapeontario.com or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354. Here’s to a fantastic 2015!

UNDERGROUND WORLD ORCGA plan charts strategic direction By Terry Murphy CLP

RCGA’s President, Jim Douglas’ recent article in the Ear to The Ground publication highlights the future direction of the association as it starts its next decade. After spending two full days, with the 22-member board of directors, a strategic plan was developed. How can this plan relate directly to Landscape Ontario and its members? This writer, representing LO and the industry at the ORCGA Board level, was part of the planning process on your behalf. The resulting document is strategic, important, meaningful, and achievable. It will certainly continue to help the horticultural industry.

There are no bad ideas

As part of the planning process, ideas are offered in brain storming sessions. There are no bad ideas in brain storming. The ideas are openly and thoroughly discussed and then rated. Then the process comes up with the top six that truly represents what the majority believes will make the maximum contribution to the organization. The six key strategic objectives are staffing resources, improved membership value, increased membership growth, focused marketing, industry lobbying and value in training. How does this plan relate to LO? • Staffing resources: The organization is looking for a vice president and a marketing person. Interviews are in process. The new hires will benefit all sectors. • Improved membership value: Every member needs to see value for their membership fee. Small landscape contractors can become an ORCGA member for $125. If you can save only one utility hit by being a member, it will pay for the equivalent of 20 years of membership fees. My Underground World December column outlines 13

good reasons for solid membership value. Increased value will be further reviewed in 2015. • Increased membership growth: Every Landscape Ontario member should consider an ORCGA membership. ORCGA needs critical mass, just the same as Landscape Ontario. Increased growth is the goal of every organization. It helps revenue, lobbying, committee involvement, net-working and promotional activities. Membership can help the landscape contractor. • Focused marketing: Congress 2015 provides an opportunity for focused marketing to our landscape industry. ORCGA will conduct a 25 and 25

“ Congress 2015 provides an opportunity for focused marketing to our landscape industry.” Campaign, directed at two specific areas. First, it will benefit 25 landscape and irrigation contractors by getting faster locate approval through the Alternative Locate Agreement (ALA) and secondly by having 25 horticultural industry firms join the ORCGA. There will be five major utilities available at Congress for contractors to sign ALA agreements (Bell, Enbridge, Union, Hydro One and Rogers).

• Industry lobbying: Having critical mass of members, ORCGA can more effectively lobby governments on such issues as the approval of Bill 8. This Bill streamlines the locate approval process, and guarantees five-day locates by provincial law. Offenders will be fined and face stiff penalties. This is a prime example of how ORCGA is helps the landscape industry through the importance of having a strong lobbying process. • Value in training: All organizations conduct training. Our goal is to make sure there is a high value in all ORCGA training programs. Our current damage prevention locator training program is rated as the top program in North America. Maintaining a high level of training and making it more accessible to the excavating community is an important consideration in the next two years

Need a good plan to grow

As Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know when you have arrived!” Every organization needs a good plan to grow and improve its mandate. This recent strategic planning session has charted ORCGA’s direction for the next two to three years. Our Landscape Ontario Congress 2015 effort is part of the ORCGA plan and it is available for the benefit of the Landscape Ontario community. Please take advantage of the 25 and 25 Congress Program. Contact Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ ca.inter.net with any comments, questions and suggestions on this article or any underground issue.

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PROSPERITY PARTNERS Celebrate success By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners Program Manager

appy New Year! Every year at this time, many of us take stock and make resolutions of one kind or another to change something in our lives, our routines, or both. Business is no different. This is a time when many owners and managers heave a long sigh and strategize on many levels about what the year ahead will hold. At our annual trade show, Landscape Ontario Congress, one can find acre after acre of new products, new opportunities, and four days packed full of seminars and lots of new ideas. Many owners and managers wander through aisle after aisle of products and equipment, drooling over new toys and tools. Many spend hour after hour attending seminars as they search for solutions to problems and new trends to adopt. It’s a showcase for change.

Perfect time of year to reflect

I’d like to suggest, that whether you attend Congress or not, this is the perfect time of year to reflect on what you don’t need to change. Yes, you read that right. There are some things in your business that are working so well, they shouldn’t change at all. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what they are until you step back and spend a bit of time taking an objective look. It’s common to focus on what is not working in our business and try to fix it more often than celebrate our successful systems and less tangible things that are running like a well-oiled machine. After all, the stuff that isn’t working is what drives us crazy and holds our attention. Typically, we adopt an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ kind of complacency. Out of sight, out of mind.

What is going well?

My suggestion for this month is to really take some time and identify what’s going well in your business. Here’s a list of questions which might help to get you thinking about what you can really celebrate in your business, and leverage going forward into this New Year. • Are you getting word of mouth referrals? If so, why? • What compliments did you receive from your customers last year? What prompted them? • For the most part, do your customers pay willingly and on time? • Are you proud of your company image? What does it reflect? • Do you have key employees who step up, and take charge of various areas of your business? • What kind of conversations are you hearing in the office, shop, store, worksite, truck or yard that indicate things are running smoothly and people are working well together? • Are your safe work practices paying off with fewer injuries or days off? • What are the improvements you made in your systems that are working?

Celebrate positives

Add to these questions some of your own. Expand your list of things to celebrate. Share it with your key staff. Better yet, involve them in compiling the list. Maybe hold a short celebration brain storming meeting and follow it with some refreshments and a toast to collaborative success. If your business is anything like mine, without your team, there’d be little success – so include them in your celebration. In the Build Your Prosperity seminar, we talk about leveraging strengths. When you know what’s working really well, and where you’re most profitable and efficient, go do more of that. Leverage that success, especially now that you’re really clear on what you have that’s working well. Congratulations! And Welcome to 2015 – a New Year for your business, and a New opportunity to celebrate your brilliance, your talent, your team and all of its potential. Jacki Hart may be contacted at prosperity@landscapeontario.com.

Free prosperity tools available for you online Prosperity Partners Best Practices Templates are available for download to at horttrades.com/prosperitytemplates to help your business succeed. Each template will assist you to implement the key principles of the program into your business culture. Many of the templates may easily be customized to your specific business needs. Each month Prosperity Partners column in Landscape Ontario will highlight two or three templates from one of the five pillars of the program: Customers for Life, Financial Health, Leadership, Operational Excellence and Sales Success. This week we feature two items from: • Equipment Management Driver’s Report: http://gfl.me/x2mV • Computer Security Tips for Small Businesses: http://gfl.me/x2mW Download more customized free resources at horttrades.com/prosperitytemplates.

26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

employment OPPORTUNITIES

All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $50.85. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10. Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). January deadline is Dec. 10. Space is limited to a first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included) for Associaton members and $90.40 HST included for non-members. Website ads are posted for 31 days. View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ESTABLISHED MUSKOKA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Year-round operation. For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: MuskokaOpportunity@gmail.com

TURN-KEY GARDEN CENTRE FOR SALE On 9 acres of owned land, with on-site luxury home for owner/manager. Established in 1988. Market leader in the Guelph area. Profitable with potential to become much more so in the years ahead. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for the right buyer! For details go to prosper.ca or call Steve Dawkins, Salesperson REMAX Real Estate Centre Toll Free: 1-855-95-REMAX

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected and well-established company, serving the Dundas, Hamilton and Burlington area for 25 years. Locally owned and operated, Is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Owner retiring. For serious inquires only, please reply in confidence by email to: knightspropertymaint@hotmail.com

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Macuto Nurseries Experienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating, digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $11.00. Seasonal employment starting April 1, 2015 to Nov 30, 2015. Job site Keswick, Ontario. Fax resume 905-476-1534 or mail P.O. Box 284 Keswick, Ontario L4P 3E2 Tel 905-727-3666 opportunities at davey tree Davey Tree is currently expanding operations and looking for experienced Arborists, Foremen, Climbers, and Groundspersons. We are the largest employee-owned company in the green industry, and Canada’s trusted source for complete plant health care. Our roots extend back to 1880, and we have branches from Ontario to British Columbia. Davey provides: • Excellent training • Career advancement • Company benefits • Employee ownership • Opportunities in all aspects of arboriculture • Solid industry compensation bases and incentive programs. If you are interested in being part of our growing team, please email or fax resume to: John Arico. Email: John.Arico@davey.com Fax: 905-304-7605 www.daveytree.ca

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Landscape Lecture Series 2015

Join your peers for an evening focused on creativity, vision and inspiration. Wednesday, February 18 Chateau Le Jardin Conference & Event Venue 8440 Hwy 27, Woodbridge Tickets are $20 per person, includes dinner.

LandscapeLecture.ca WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 27

Grow Youirn Business 2015 at… Attend this ‘DON’T MISS IT’ event…

Sure to be the BEST Expo Yet! Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Gift of Tulips… GreenTrade Expo 2015 is your one-stop place to find the latest products, business-building innovations & valuable contacts… everything you’ll need for quantum improvements. Here’s a taste of what we’ve planned…

NEW for 2015...

NEW for 2015 – The First Annual Ottawa Chapter Awards of Distinction Gala & Casino Night – The Ottawa Chapter is pleased to

announce the launch of this new event in conjunction with GreenTrade Expo 2015, the evening before the show. Open to Active & Interim Ottawa Chapter members, starting in the 2015 season (with the first Member Awards presented at the 2016 Gala), this ticketed competition will recognize & inspire excellence among our members, stir their competitive spirit, and stimulate advancement, achievement & improvement.

Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario

To celebrate the launch, we’re adding an Ottawa flare by presenting the “customers choice” awards for Best Suppliers. Watch for details. Following the Awards Gala we’ll present a ticketed, Vegas-style Casino Night. Finger food, good times & great fun will be had by all!

 The Trade Show – With 100+ exhibitors, you’re sure to find at least one with a priceless, ‘ah-ha,’ business-changing ‘nugget!’

 The Educational Workshops – The MTO Contractors Breakfast and FREE business building seminars – something for everyone.

on Circle this date your calendar…

 Great Industry Networking – Business-growth ideas? New products?

Just to reconnect? 1,400 attendees let you network to your heart’s content.

 New & Exciting Door Prizes – To be eligible, register on-line TODAY!  And much, much more… Register on-line TODAY for your FREE

Brought to you by the Ottawa Chapter of

admission to GreenTrade Expo 2015…

www.GreenTrade.ca

28 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO February 11th, JANUARY 20152015• 9 am - 3 pm • EY Centre • Ottawa Airport