Industry and Association News

Gas Prices Got You Down?

With the cost of EVERYTHING on the rise these days, every bit of savings can make a big difference, even at the pump. As a member of Landscape Alberta, be sure to take advantage of these fuel discounts offered to members through their membership. Esso: Save time, and money, while using the Esso Business & Fleet Cards at retail locations. Parkland: Per litre discount on retail fuel, cardlock and bulk fuel. Petro-Canada: Per litre discount on retail fuel and 15% OFF car washes!

Looking for more ways to save? Check out the full list of Member discount programs at: https:// cnla.ca/learn/member-savings.

Fuel Tax Act special notice Vol. 1 No. 44 : Alberta fuel tax relief

This special notice provided by Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA) announces that beginning April 1, 2022 the Government of Alberta will stop collecting fuel tax in order to provide relief from the current high fuel prices. Collection of fuel tax is expected to resume by the later of July 1, 2022 and the time when West Texas Intermediate prices fall below $80 US per barrel.

Congratulations Val!

On February 28th, Valerie Stobbe officially retired after more than 23 years with Landscape Alberta. Valerie (Val) was a valuable staff person for the association for many years, and an incredible co-worker and friend to those she worked with. She will indeed be missed in immeasurable ways, but we are very happy for her. It won’t be same at the Green Industry Show without her beaming smile and her basket of chocolate for ‘her exhibitors’. Some of her duties will be shifted to others, most notably Lisa Brick taking on the tradeshow component of the position. A new staff member will join the team soon but will never replace Val in our hearts.

Print your own Certification of Recognition

Employers now have access to a PDF file of their Certificate of Recognition (COR)! No more waiting for the mail. Employers can access and print their own certificate through their myWCB account with the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta. This is the same location where you can print your Partnerships in Injury Reduction reports. To download or print your COR certificate, just log into your myWCB account and click on Reports and Invoices. If you need assistance accessing your myWCB account, contact the eBusiness Support Team at 1-866-922-9221. This new service significantly decreases red tape and increases efficiency by reducing turnaround time for a COR to reach its employer. As soon as your COR is approved, you can access it. Please note, certificates are only available through your myWCB account, or upon request to your certifying partner.

Year of the Garden 2022

You’re invited to join in the fun and “Live the Garden Life” during the Year of the Garden 2022, a celebration of everything garden and gardening related in Canada. The Year of the Garden will publicly launch on March 20, 2022, the first day of spring, and between now and then, members of Canada’s Garden-Family – from growers to garden centres and retailers, designers, landscapers, the garden experience sector from public gardens, horticultural societies and garden clubs, to garden communicators, and educators – are all invited to engage with Canada’s Year of the Garden 2022 activities. Discover the many ways you can celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture at home, at work, in school, in your community, and at public gardens across the country from the Planter’s Moon in the spring of 2022, to the Frost Moon in the fall. Watch for the full Year of the Garden 2022 website launching soon! Yearofthegarden.ca

Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply’s new CEO Announcement

We’d like to announce Nathan Gill as our new CEO at Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply & Eagle Lake Turf Farms. Nathan has worked for Eagle Lake for over 8 years, moving from LiveRoof and bulk media sales manager to Vice President and now CEO. He has proven to be a great leader, innovator and has been instrumental in transforming our business to industry leaders in Green Infrastructure. With an excellent supporting team, Nathan is well equipped to bring our business to the next level.

Humboldt Garden Update

Landscape Saskatchewan continues to be very busy on the Humboldt Urban Garden Sanctuary (HUGS). We have several items remaining for installation this spring, including a gazebo, garden benches, landscape lighting, and the art piece central to the garden’s memorial components for the Broncos. If you are interested in volunteering this spring please let us know with a quick email to admin@landscapealberta.com or if you you’re short on time but still want to contribute you can donate via our partners at the Green Cities Foundation.

https://gcfoundation.ca/ project-humboldt-sk-2021/

Elm Pruning ban starts April 1st

This a reminder that the elm pruning ban starts

April 1. Dutch elm disease (DED) and its elm bark beetle vectors are declared pests under the Agricultural Pests Act (APA). There are Provincial DED Prevention and Control Measures in place that are enforceable under this act. Number 1 and 2 address the elm pruning ban in Alberta. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/dutch-elm-diseaseprevention-control-measures-responsibilities-authority-apa

1. Elm Pruning Ban Pruning ban period means the period commencing on April 1 and ending on September 30 of the same year. Elm bark beetles (EBB), the vectors of DED, are active between these dates and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy tree.

2. Elm Preventive Pruning Pruning elms can only be carried out commencing October 1 to March 31 the following year. Elm trees can be removed any time of the year (4. - Elm Tree Removal) Preventive pruning is essential to eliminate breeding material for the elm bark beetles (EBB). Preventive pruning is the systematic removal of dead, damaged, or diseased (other than from DED) branches from healthy elm trees. If a tree is dead or dying it should be removed. All elm wood must be properly disposed (4 - Elm Tree Removal ; 5a - Elm Wood Disposal). Keeping elms well-maintained will aid in the control of DED. Improper pruning techniques and tree topping can weaken the elm tree, creating a hazard and increase the risk of attracting EBBs.

To avoid spreading DED, all equipment must be sterilized before pruning a different elm tree. To sterilize your tools, use methyl hydrate, a 25% solution of bleach and water, or a 70% concentrate of rubbing alcohol. Note that bleach can rust iron-based tools.

City of Edmonton – Snow Removal Damage to Trees

The Landscape Alberta office is starting to hear concerns about how the changes in City of Edmonton’s snow removal procedures will impact landscape and tree survivability this coming spring. The amount of snow in the

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Calgary Office : 403-263-4200

Peter Krebs (Sales Manager) : 587-434-6638

Rob Veno (Northern AB) : 780-910-8402

David Schramm (Central AB) : 403-934-1276

Tom Wright (Saskatchewan) : 306-921-7615

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windrows this year could lead to greater losses of trees on pre-FAC sites. We are asking members to document losses with pictures as the snow begins to melt. If there are systemic losses that can be attributed to snow piling or plowing, we will need evidence to support discussions with City administration. Please email any concerns to joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com.

City of Edmonton – New Tree Protection Bylaw

A new permit process for tree protection and preservation comes into effect on May 1, 2022. The Public Tree Bylaw requires a permit and a tree protection or preservation plan for any work done within five metres of a boulevard and open space tree or within 10 metres of a natural stand. Information about the permit process is now available. The bylaw passed on August 30, 2021 and applies to City-owned trees only. This includes sample tree protection drawings that can be used to help standardize the permit application process. The bylaw does allow for fines for those not complying with the permit process in addition to penalties for any damage caused to city owned trees.

For more information please visit - https://www.edmonton.ca/residential_ neighbourhoods/gardens_lawns_trees/ trees-construction

Get Certified This Winter

Advance your landscape horticulture career and business by getting certified this fall/winter. LHCP certifications are fully aligned with Red Seal Standards and other nursery and landscape industry guidelines. Hands-on practical and written tests are delivered entirely online! Test at your convenience!

https://cnla.ca/learn/ landscape-horticulture-certified

Home and Auto Benefits for your employees

Member employees are eligible for preferred group rates for their home and auto insurance needs through Marsh’s Private Client Services at 1 877 476 6727. If you would like a reminder before your renewal date, please visit www.marsh.ca/quote. For commercial insurance program inquiries, please call your Marsh Canada Limited licensed insurance broker at 1 888 949 4360 or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com.

Stormwater management engagement

Alberta Parks and Environment is looking for feedback from stakeholders on proposed amendments to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation to exempt low-risk stormwater use from requiring a Water Act licence. Stakeholder feedback will help inform proposed regulation amendments that address: • specific volumes of stormwater that should be exempt from requiring a Water Act licence • specific uses of stormwater that should be exempt from requiring a Water Act licence • whether regions facing water scarcity should have different stormwater licensing exemptions

If are interested in participating in the consultations on behalf of Landscape Alberta please email joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com.