11 minute read
Industry and Association News
Alberta trails in terms of wage growth
An ATB economist wrote about the slow growth of wages in Alberta. 1 minute read here - https://www.atb.com/company/insights/the-owl/ average-weekly-earnings-to-september-2022/
There were many stories in the news this past week related to this data analysis but here is more direct version.
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KNOW MORE HAZARD has partnered with the CNLA to offer a 10% discount off the base rate to any CNLA member who signs up. Get Started.
Bell Mobility
Presenting the Bell Mobility affinity program.
Bell is offering all Canadian Nursery Landscape Association members Cellular plans starting from only $38 / month and a credit of up to $750.00/line when you switch to Bell.
To get started please contact the member services department at memberservices@cnla-acpp.ca.
Start Saving (https://cnla.ca/cp/login)
Update your company’s Member Profile for 2023!
Keeping your company information up-to-date via our online member directory ensures that Landscape Alberta (and Landscape Saskatchewan) can continue to connect your company with prospective customers and your fellow industry members. We will soon be sending an email to each member reminding you to login and ensure your company profile details are correct prior to publishing the printed version of our 2023 Member Directory – or you can check it off your To-Do List right now by using this direct link to login through our secure member portal: https://www.landscape-alberta.com/membership/member-profile/
If you have any questions about your member profile or need assistance with login, please email Marnie at member.services@landscape-alberta.com
Surcharges on Credit Card Transactions: What It Means For You?
As of October 6, 2022 Visa and Mastercard will give small businesses the power to add a surcharge on some credit card transactions to offset their merchant fees. This change follows a long-standing lawsuit with Visa and Mastercard that was settled earlier this year.
Previously, businesses were absorbing the exorbitant interchange fees, but the new rules laid out in the settlement will allow retailers to make up for some of the lost revenue.
Key details:
• Maximum surcharge cap is 2.4% (average surcharge is 1.4% in Canada) • Surcharge amount being charged depends on the credit card you use: premium rewards cards could have a higher surcharge • Merchants can choose to add the surcharge by company brand (i.e. VISA or Mastercard) or they can add it to product types (types of Visas or types of Mastercards) • There is no surcharge on Visa or Mastercard
Debit cards; only credit cards • Retailers MUST disclose surcharges and fees to cardholders before a transaction is completed, and cardholders must be able to cancel the transaction without penalty • Merchants must apply to surcharge by registering their plans with their credit card processor and Mastercard (VISA required registration with your processor only) • Once your intent to surcharge is registered, you must wait 30 days before you can start to apply a surcharge on Visa and Mastercard transactions
GISC 2022: Together Again
It was an exciting few days for our industry as we held the 2022 Green Industry Show & Conference on November 17 & 18 in Red Deer. The weather this year aligned perfectly for the event and the results showed with packed conference rooms and a lively trade show floor!
We started things off with an LMN workshop and Industry Bus Tour on November 16 and held the Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers Annual Auction that evening.
Then we kicked off two days of conference sessions! This year’s sessions were truly outstanding with wonderful, knowledgeable speakers presenting on topics that spanned the industry. We hope everyone learned something new and useful.
In addition to conference sessions, our two-day trade show was a wonderful experience! With over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and trends, the trade show floor was a lively place to meet and connect with other industry professionals!
A big thank you to all our attendees, speakers and exhibitors!
Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s exciting event: GISC, November 16 & 17, 2023!
On September 26, the Government of Canada announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as all testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022. Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:
• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website; • provide proof of vaccination; • undergo pre- or on-arrival testing; • carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation; • monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of
COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.
Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:
• undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or • wear masks on planes and trains.
Garden Trends Report 2023 Available
The 2023 Garden Trends Report is LIVE! This 22nd annual report is downloaded by tens of thousands of people each year upon it’s release. This year’s report incudes:
• The green industry’s color of the year • An anti-millennial trend • Grecian design that appeals to Gen Z • And much, much more!
Download the report today from our friends at Garden Media Group – Katie Dubow (previous speaker at GISC)
New Prompt Payment Legislation protects contractors and subcontractors
Bill 37: The Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act, 2020 introduces timelines and rules for payments and liens in all construction industry sectors, ensuring contractors and subcontractors are paid on time.
Previously, Alberta had no rules for payment timelines in the construction industry, which meant these timelines were vague if not addressed in a contract. These changes will set a clear timeline of 28 calendar days for general contractors to receive payments, and seven calendar days after payment is received for contractors to pay subcontractors, giving construction industry professionals the confidence they need to operate successfully.
The construction industry is a multi-billion dollar sector of Alberta’s economy that creates thousands of jobs for Albertans. Amendments to the act will help ensure contractors and subcontractors get paid on time, strengthen Alberta’s economic recovery and protect jobs.
Key changes
Bill 37: The Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act, 2020: •
sets a 28-day timeline for project owners to pay invoices to general contractors • sets a seven-day timeline for contractors to pay subcontractors after receiving payment • extends timelines for registering liens: o construction industry: from 45 days to 60 days o concrete industry: from 45 days to 90 days • increases the minimum amount owed that can be subject to a lien from $300 to $700 • allows dispute resolution through adjudication, which is faster and less costly than going to court • introduces new rules allowing holdback money on large, multi-year projects to be released without risks at pre-set times • improves subcontractors’ access to payment information • renames the Builders’ Lien Act to the Prompt Payment and
Construction Lien Act
Link to government site:
https://www.alberta.ca/introducing-prompt-payment-for-construction-industry.aspx
Link to McMillan’s What you need to know article:
https://mcmillan.ca/insights/ albertas-new-prompt-payment-and-construction-lien-act-what-you-need-to-know-beforeaugust-29-2022-consolidated/
A Reminder of the LMIA advertising requirements SAWP
Effective January 12, 2022, and until June 30, 2023, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will suspend minimum advertising requirements for employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire temporary foreign workers in primary agriculture.
Employers are expected to continue efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents. However, employers will not be required to meet TFWP minimum advertising requirements or submit proof with their LMIA application.
As of June 2020, some occupations are being prioritized. You will also notice that as of this week, all references to NOC codes replace the new 2021 NOC standard which is a new tiered 5-digit NOC code. If you are wondering what your new NOC is, use this Government of Canada tool to find your NOC 2021 code and TEER category today, according to your job title.
All current information on the SAWP program can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/agricultural/seasonal-agricultural.html
Minister Wilkinson Updates Canadians on Successful 2 Billion Trees Planting Season
Launched in 2021, 2 Billion Trees (2BT) is part of the Government of Canada’s broader approach to nature-based climate solutions. It contributes to Canada’s efforts to mitigate climate change while achieving key biodiversity and conservation goals, as well as supporting human well-being.
In its first year, the program signed agreements to support planting 30 million trees. Each project was subject to a review by an independent expert panel to ensure it would help achieve the program’s objectives. Going forward, the Government of Canada is entering into longer-term agreements to secure planting over 10 years. By 2026, the program aims to plant 250–350 million trees annually, with each planting project undergoing the same expert panel review process as this year’s projects.
Minister Wilkinson announced that NRCan’s program partners succeeded in planting 97 percent of the 30 million trees planned for the 2021 planting season: approximately 29 million trees from over 150 different species were planted at over 500 sites across Canada. These projects will restore nature, enhance biodiversity, create forest ecosystems on fire-damaged land, increase carbon capture, and create parks and greenspaces in and around our cities.
Pantone Unveils 2023 Colour of the Year
Every year, Pantone releases a new Colour of the Year. 2023’s colour is Viva Magenta 18-750. The colour is described as ‘a shade rooted in nature, derived from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.” Viva Magenta is ‘brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative’.
Read more on the meaning behind Viva Magenta and the colour psychology. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/pantoneviva-magenta-18-750-2023-color-of-the-year/
European Pruning and Tree Planting Standards
The newest edition of EU Pruning and Tree Planting Standards has been released. There are some differences between these and ANSI Standards. To review, scan the QR code.
Changes to the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program for 2023
There are two notable upcoming changes to the COR program, both of which will come into effect on January 1, 2023.
Full three-technique audits restored
Effective January 1, 2023, the use of audit techniques (documentation, observation and interview) as specified in each approved audit instrument must again be followed. As part of this change:
• The use of on-site data gathering will not be restricted. • Documentation may be reviewed remotely and/or on-site. • Interviews may be conducted remotely and/or on-site. • Observations must be conducted. • For three-year certification, a minimum of 12 months of health and safety system documentation is required.
Employers with less than 12 months of documentation may be eligible for a one-year certificate.
The remaining temporary audit measures, which were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, will end on December 31, 2022.
Partnerships in Injury Reduction will continue to monitor any future situations declared as public health emergencies, and will respond should measures be implemented that would affect COR auditing.
New COR audit instruments for 2023
Starting January 1, 2023, all Certifying Partners will implement new audit instruments designed to improve the audit process and make the revisions necessitated by the current Occupational Health and Safety Act. The improvements include the following:
• The audit questions for joint health and safety committee/health and safety representative have been updated and simplified. • The number of audit questions on violence and harassment has been reduced to align with legislation. • For Small Employer COR holders, the audit content has been modernized and aligned with the regular COR instrument. • The audit process for owner/operators has been simplified, and the number of audit questions has been reduced by about one-third.
Please contact your Certifying Partner for more details. Contact information for Certifying Partners is available at alberta.ca/ find-certifying-partner.aspx.
The Government of Canada announced earlier today the extension of work permits to family members of temporary foreign workers. Expanding the eligibility for work permits to family members accompanying the principal applicant to Canada will help address labour shortages by assisting employers in finding the workers they need.
Starting in January 2023, through a temporary 2-year measure, Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels.
The temporary measure will be implemented in 3 phases to ensure its successful implementation:
• Phase 1 will enable family members of workers coming to
Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary
Foreign Worker (TFW) Program or the International Mobility
Program to apply for an open work permit. • Phase 2 aims to expand the measure to the family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the TFW Program, following consultations. • Phase 3 will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess operational feasibility for expanding the measure to family members of agricultural workers.
There will be no changes to the TFW Program, these changes will only apply to spouses and working-age children of temporary foreign workers.
You are encouraged to share this communication and the News Release hyperlink throughout your respective networks, and with any colleagues or peers who may need to be aware of this information. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
