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Professional News
Improved national certification program launched
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is proud to announce the launch of the national Landscape Horticulture Certi fication Program (LHCP). The newly-revised program is 100 per cent Canadian owned and operated, and aligns with Red Seal Occupation Standards.
The new program is designed to maintain high certification standards, while being streamlined and more accessible, thanks to a world-class, web-based solution.
The goal of the program is to ensure professionals from across Canada comply with current standards and industry best practices. Certification is currently available for Technicians, Designers, and Managers.
In addition, an Accredited Company certification is available for companies that prioritize certification and have high standards as a cornerstone of their business.
Benefits of certification include: more opportunities for career advancement, proven competency and greater professionalism, and peace of mind to clients.
A new website, CNLAgetcertified.ca includes details on the qualifications required for the various designations, including the testing process, registration forms, and study manuals. Candidates will be required to meet the requirements for their chosen program, plus achieve a minimum grade in various written exams.
To start your journey toward industry certification, visit CNLAgetcertified.ca, email certification@cnla-acpp.ca or call 888-446- 3499 or 905-875-1399.
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GREATSELECTION OF UNITS!
New report shows economic impact of green infrastructure sector in Ontario
The full scope and impact of Ontario’s vibrant green infrastructure sector has never been quantified — until now. From maintenance and landscape staff on the ground, to designers and engineers, nursery staff, manufacturers of equipment, and public administra tors, the green infrastructure sector includes jobs with businesses and organizations at various scales across the province.
The new “Economic Impact Assessment of the Green Infrastructure Sector in Ontario” a first-ever assessment of the full scope of the green infrastructure sector, commissioned by the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition (GIO) and funded by the Greenbelt Foundation, with additional financial support from Landscape Ontario. It highlights to what degree green infrastructure is an important contributor to Ontario’s economy. According to the report, green infrastructure generates $8.6 billion in gross output (revenues), $4.64 billion in direct gross domestic product (GDP), and directly employed approximately 84,400 people in 2018. Factoring in the indirect and induced impacts, Ontario’s green infrastructure sector was responsible for more than 120,000 jobs and nearly $8.33 billion in GDP in 2018.
The green infrastructure sector includes six key sub-sectors: landscape horticulture and open spaces, natural heritage, parks, urban forests, green stormwater management, and green roofs and walls, as well as the cross sectoral support services that play essential roles across these sub-sectors. The report includes an overview of the key trends and drivers impacting the sector, an assessment of the current (2018) size of the sector’s supply chain (including jobs, GDP, and revenues) as well as breakdowns for each sub-sector. The report also models the projected future growth potential of the sector to 2030.
“We were pleased to see that at $4.64 billion in direct GDP, Ontario’s green infrastructure sector was 28 per cent larger than the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector and 31 per cent larger than the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector,” said GIO’s Executive Director, Jennifer Court. “Having a comparison with other sectors helps us understand the economic importance and relevance of green infrastructure. But the real story is in the jobs; with 84,400 direct jobs in 2018, green infrastructure employs five times more people than the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector (16,335 jobs) and three times more people than the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector (26,600 jobs).”
“Investments in green infrastructure will create much-needed jobs for Ontarians, particularly in light of Covid-19 economic strain, and are a triple win for the environment, the economy and society at large,” says Kathy Macpherson, VP of the Greenbelt Foundation.
Support for green infrastructure projects has value chain ripple effects wherein the economic, environmental, and social benefits largely remain inside Ontario. Current trends show significant growth potential for the sector as public awareness and attitudes toward the sector evolve. In short, this report recognizes the meaningful role that this sector plays in today’s economy, as well as the vital role we can play in the economy of tomorrow.
To read the full report, visit the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8iA.
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Heat stress is a recognized hazard for many workplaces in the landscape and horticulture profession. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) will soon offer a new downloadable guide to help workplaces implement a comprehensive approach to assessing potential heat stress hazards linked to Covid-19. Heat Stress Management - A Practical Guide assists workplaces in applying the tried-and-true RACE (Recognize, Assess, Control, Evaluate) model. Users will be able to identify and assess hazards in their workplace, and explore possible controls.
WSPS Ergonomics Specialist Angela Cameron has one concern: could Covid19 related personal protective equipment (PPE) increase the risk of heat stress? Until now, workers in many workplaces have had no need to wear face shields, masks or eye protection, other than simple safety glasses. But now, authorities are recommending surgical masks and eye protection in any workplace where physical distancing is a challenge. The problem is, they can make wearers feel hotter.
“Every time we exhale, we’re creating a little micro-climate behind our mask or shield,” explains Cameron. “In an already hot environment, these microclimates can make us feel we’re hotter and working harder than we really are.”
While microclimates alone don’t cause an increase in core body temperatures, the associated perceptions of heat and discomfort may distract workers from the tasks at hand (a safety hazard) and cause stress and anxiety (a psychosocial hazard).
WSPS offers this advice to employers and health and safety personnel: • Refresh your understanding of workrelated heat stress and Covid-19 in the workplace. • Review and update your existing heat stress plan in the context of Covid-19.
WSPS offers a variety of heat stress resources, including eCourses, articles, safety tips, and more at WSPS.ca.
Partnership provides funded consulting and training to agricultural producers
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is partnering with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to provide agri-food businesses, organizations and associations with educational resources, tools and consulting services to help them meet Covid-19 health and safety requirements.
The Agri-food Workplace Protection Program, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, is designed to help agriculture producers enhance health and safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. Under this program, WSPS can provide partnership-funded consulting and training related to modifications to existing agricultural workplaces and enhancing healthy workplace access and accommodation.
Applicants can submit expenses for temporary or permanent modifications (ie: shielding, barriers), PPE, medical equipment, and cleaning supplies incurred on or after May 15, 2020 that are eligible for 70 per cent cost share, to a maximum of $7,500 per project.
For more information and links, view the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kn.
NEW LOOK • NEW CONFERENCE
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Seferian Design Group wins international awards
Congratulations to Landscape Ontario member Seferian Design Group, who was recently honoured with two DNA Paris Design awards.
The Burlington, Ont.-based landscape architectural design firm won in the Landscape Design/Private Gardens category and the Landscape Design/Parks & Public spaces, Educational, Community & Recreation Facilities category.
The award winning landscape design M A I N T E N A N C E project, Simcoe Sophistication in Simcoe, Ont., featured a completely redesigned 19th century historical estate, where drainage became an important issue due to the very flat nature of the site. The project involved a year and a half of design work and three years of construction.
The award winning public space project, Cayuga Grand Vista Trail, spans a reclaimed CN Rail bridge across the Grand River. Designed to meet CSA S6-14 standard, the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, the space also complies with all regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
The awards, which honour the work of international architects and designers, were announced May 18, 2020. The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) has made available a pre-recorded, 45-minute webinar on Covid-19 health and safety practices for the construction sector. The webinar includes information on best practices for construction sites as well as on-site roles and responsibilities regarding Covid-19.
Designed for company owners, managers, supervisors, and join health and safety committee members, the session is available for download to watch at your own pace.
View the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kk for a link to the free webinar.
New web pages outline employment standards related to Covid-19
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) has published two new web pages to assist Ontarians during the Covid-19 outbreak. Employers can learn about their employment standards responsibilities with regards to the Employment Standards Act, and health and safety, including how to protect workers. Workers can access information about leaves, vacation time and temporary layoffs, as well as infor mation about health and safety protection.
M A I N T E N A N C E
E M P L O Y E R o f C H O I C E E M P L O Y E R o f C H O I C E I R R I G A T I O N
D E S I G N
C O N S T R U C T I O N M A I N T E N A N C E IHSA offers free webinar on Covid-19 construction sector health and safety practices
For links to the web pages, view the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kq. C O N S T R U C T I O N
C O N S T R U C T I O N M A I N T E N A N C E E M P L O Y E R o f C H O I C E E M P L O Y E R o f C H O I C E L I G H T I N G I R R I G A T I O N UNDER THE BIGTOP CELEBRATING LANDSCAPE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, LIGHTING, & IRRIGATION
The Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence program recognizes the breathtaking design and master craftsmanship in landscape construction, maintenance and B E C R E A T I V E ! B E C R E A T I V E ! D E S I G N design projects created by members.
Full details and online entry submission at
C O N S T R U C T I O N LOawards.com Deadline Oct. 1 L I G H T I N G
