Newsbrief: Winter 2016

Page 1

2016 CNLA Certificate of Membership Enclosed

first edition

Green Industry News Midtown in Focus Toronto, Ontario

Winter PUBLIC 2016 WORK office for urban design & landscape architecture Vol. 25 Issue 1 PLANNING & ANALYSIS

What’s inside: • Greetings from the CNLA President • A ‘seasonal’ industry can be a good thing • Kick-off the New Year with two new online resources

CNLA and CSLA launch first edition of the Canadian Landscape Standard story on page 14

• Launch of the beautiful Oscar Peterson rose

Learning from European nursery growers A

• New pesticide label NATIONAL HONOUR app from Health Canada lthough late January is not usually considered

to be the best time for nursery tours, 23 adventurous nursery people, representing 12 Ontario nursery companies and suppliers spent several days earlier this winter visiting a variety of nursery growers in Germany and The Netherlands. The timing of the tour was chosen to coincide with a visit to the IPM Essen trade show, the largest and most important international trade show showcasing the ornamental horticulture sector. The objective of the trip was to explore technology and productivity enhancements on behalf of the Canadian nursery grower sector.

As European winters are typically much milder than is experienced in most regions of Canada, there was much to see and learn from all of the nursery and technology sites that were visited by this group of hardy Canadians (despite the time of the year). Tour sites included a very diverse selection of growers, ranging from production of young plants, container production, bare root tree producers and caliper tree operations. Recognizing that many of the European growing practices are not directly transferable to Canadian operations due to climatic, soil and demographic Continued on page 8...

landscape saskatchewan


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

EXECUTIVE BOARD:

President Past President First Vice President Second Vice President

Landscape Canada Chair

Member Services & Insurance Chair

Rene Thiebaud, CLM - ON Christene LeVatte, BBA, CLM - NS Bruce Hunter, CLT, CLD, CLM - BC Gerald Boot, CLM - ON

Treasurer Phil Paxton, CLT, CLM - AB

DIRECTORS: BCLNA Representative Michael Kato - BC Landscape AB Representative Anita Heuver - AB Landscape SK Representative Aaron Krahn - SK MBNLA Representative David Hinton, CLM - MB Landscape ON Representative Alan White - ON Landscape NL Representative Krista Russell - NL Landscape NS Representative Robin Godfrey - NS Landscape NB/PEI Kevin Nauss, CLM - NB Representative Human Resources Chair Harold Deenen, CLM - ON Public Relations Chair Bill Hardy, CLM - BC Research Chair Vic Krahn, CLT - SK Government Relations Chair Michael Murray - NL Garden Centres Canada Chair Anthony O’Neill - NL Professional Development Chair Jeff Foley, CLT, CLM - BC Growers Canada Chair John Byland - BC

Greeting from the President

I

t is hard to believe that it is already my second year as President of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. 2015 flew by, with many exciting initiatives taking place for our members. Last spring saw the launch of the stunning Never Alone rose, which has already raised $48,000 for the Never Alone Foundation! Winkelmolen Nurseries traveled to China where they received the Award of Merit in the prestigious International Grower of the Year competition. This past January, Dutchmaster Nursery received bronze in the competition – marking the fifth time a Canadian nursery has been among the top finalists.

STAFF: Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLM victor@cnla-acpp.ca Executive Assistant Cheryl Gall cheryl@cnla-acpp.ca Growers Manager Rita Weerdenburg rita@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development & Julia Ricottone, CAE, EP Commodities Manager julia@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services & Rebecca Doutre, CAE Government R elations Manager rebecca@cnla-acpp.ca Industry Human Resources Stacey Porter Coordinator stacey@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development (East) Claudia Santos & Commodities Coordinator claudia@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development (West) Colin Vince & Apprenticeship Coordinator colin@cnla-acpp.ca Member Programs Coordinator & Christine Finn Landscape NL Executive Director christine@cnla-acpp.ca Communications Specialist Anne Beifuss anne@cnla-acpp.ca Member Services Assistant Teagan Giddings teagan@cnla-acpp.ca Professional Development Jason Young Assistant jason@cnla-acpp.ca Minor Use/IPM Coordinator Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPM peter@cnla-acpp.ca

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Dutchmaster Nurseries at the International Grower of the Year competition.

The CNLA commodity committees were also busy rolling out programs to increase the value of your membership. Garden Centres Canada launched the virtual Garden Gift Card, which can be purchased and redeemed at any participating member garden centre. The Landscape Canada Committee solidified its partnership with the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. Growers Canada began work on the exciting Nursery Technician Certification program. Those initiatives are just a snapshot of the past year at the association. 2016 promises to be even busier, already starting with a bang. At the Landscape Ontario (LO) Congress in January, CNLA, in partnership with LO, launched the Green Careers Canada website and the Effective Leadership Pathways tool. Garden Centres Canada will

soon launch the much anticipated Garden Centres Benchmarking program, which will allow members to track and compare sales information across Canada. Members of the Government Relations Committee are heading to Ottawa for a Day on the Hill event to meet with key members of parliament in order to advance industry interests. Probably the most exciting event taking place this year was the International Green City Conference and Tours, which happened this March in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 100 delegates from around the world met to discuss cutting edge ideas in the world of green infrastructure. Members of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA), the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), and the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) were there, marking the first time that the entire international horticulture value chain will be together. CNLA will report on the outcomes of this historic event in future communications. Also taking place at the Green City Conference is the Landscape Canada Summit. Select individuals from around the world were invited to this exclusive event to discuss healthy cities and healthy landscapes. During this, the groundbreaking Canadian Landscape Standard will be launched, providing the first national guidelines to landscapers across the country. All of these initiatives will take place before the landscaping season officially begins! I attribute this to the hard work and vision of CNLA volunteers and staff. The Executive Committee meets monthly to review the association’s tactical priorities, which currently focus on training, industry human resources, revenue generation, public relations, government relations and governance. Finally, I would like to highlight some of the amazing member savings programs available to you. Last year, CNLA added three new programs with Kubota, FCA Canada Inc., and ECHO/Shindaiwa. These programs have the potential to save you thousands of dollars on your next purchase and are very simple to use. Some of our other popular programs include:

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

GM Canada, Esso and Petro-Canada fuel incentives, Mark’s and Work Authority discount cards, and so many more! View the complete list of programs at www.cnlaacpp.ca/benefits. As you prepare for a new season, I strongly encourage you to get involved in your provincial association. There are countless ways to participate, from sport tournaments and social events, to committees and volunteer work. At the national association, we work hard to ensure that everything we do directly benefits you, the member.

Industry events

The CNLA staff are an excellent resource. Contact them about our Member Savings Programs, available government grants and funding, certification, business improvement programs and more! There has never been a better time to be a part of the CNLA.

NORTH AMERICA

All the best for a prosperous and rewarding year!

April 9-14: California Spring Trials: California www.springtrials.com

Sincerely,

April 20-21: Interior Plantscape Symposium: Kennet Square, PA www.wnla.org

Rene Thiebaud, CLM CNLA President

April 21: Landscape NL AGM and Awards: Bay Bulls, NL www.landscapenl.com

April 6: Green Infrastructure Summit: Raleigh, NC www.cvent.com

April 22: Earth Day April 22-23: Certification Test Day: Truro, NS www.cnla-acpp.ca/certification April 29: Arbor Day May 14: Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza: Chicago, IL www.provenwinners.com

Tightly integrating your design into your cost-based estimate!

May 22-26: International Symposium on Light in Horticulture: East Lansing, MI www.lightsym16.com June 5-8: Skills Canada National Competition: Moncton, NB www.skillscanada.com

INTERNATIONAL April 1-2: RHS London Spring Plant Extravaganza: London, UK www.rhs.org.uk April 12: Flower Expo Ukraine: Kiev, Ukraine www.flowerexpo-urkaine.com April 13-14: FloraHolland Spring Fair Aalsmeer: Aalsmeer, Netherlands www.floraholland.com April 23 - October 30: Expo Antalya: Antalya, Turkey www.expo2016antalya.org.tr

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Misprint Notice In the Autumn 2015 issue of the CNLA Newsbrief, an incorrect ad was printed for Stihl. CNLA apologizes for the mis-print and encourages readers to check out www.stihl.ca for the latest products and offerings from our valued sponsor.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Celebrating all things pink

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s spring slowly makes its way across the country, our communities shake off the drowsiness of winter and begin to plan for a busy warm season ahead. For a few years now, CNLA members have taken part in Pink Days in Bloom – a fun, upbeat way to get customers through your doors and a very fulfilling way to support the breast cancer community. Pink Days in Bloom creator Linda Ryan, a breast cancer survivor from Newfoundland and Labrador, encourages all CNLA members to get involved in this unique fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation: “Pink Days In Bloom activities, through networking and, where possible, inviting other community groups/vendors to partner, build awareness about the cause and the host business. It enables hosts/ sponsors to express genuine interest and demonstrate thoughtful concern for others. It further enables them to bond with employees and connect with their customers, and even rally the entire community together in supporting one another in a cause that affects nearly everyone. It’s goodwill that just can’t be bought!

It gives employees an opportunity to go beyond their everyday job duties in conversing with customers, sharing information about everything from plants to life experiences, engaging with and make a lasting impression on customers and the community. And, the satisfaction that it brings to the employees involved really does, I believe, help to elevate the total customer experience and ultimately influences how employees and customers feel about the business. We know that cultivating community engagement is very important in growing any business. Pink Days In Bloom equals A BIG BLOOMIN’ WIN-WIN!” Events vary, from association-to-association challenges and ball games, to flowery teathemed parties, art or how-to sessions and garden-themed contests and competitions. Contributions can be a percentage of sales

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during the event or, contributions can come strictly from monies raised through special fundraising activities or pledges. The great thing about these events is that an advertising budget is not necessary; social media sites are convenient tools that can be used effectively in promoting initiatives. Networking with other likeminded community groups and individuals; and choosing a champion or spokesperson, is key in spreading the word and enthusiasm for the event. Linda also reminds us that Pink Days In Bloom events can be held at any time throughout the year. In her home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, there is Christmas Wreaths for the Cure, Mother’s Day promotion by a local flower shop, and Pink Poinsettia Days in Bloom. Linda has worked over 30 years with public transit, and this year transit operators will wear pink behind the wheel for the fifth annual “Metrobus Pink Days In Bloom Jeans Day” to herald the upcoming FUNdraising “season” there. Several Landscape NL members additionally participate in Pink Days In Bloom’s “The Pink Tree Project”. Throughout the growing season, customers can purchase pinkflowering trees from participants in the project and a portion of pink-tree sales are donated to the cause. Public pink-tree plantings have been held by municipalities, parks, corporations and schools. In addition, there have been many private plantings by individuals in their own gardens to honour someone special. Linda says, “In addition to beautification of our communities, and all the good feelings that grow from Pink Days In Bloom, monies raised are in support of innovative breast cancer research and community programs, and the monies raised in each region stay in the region. In the Atlantic provinces, monies raised are in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) – Atlantic. When the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC participates in Pink Days In Bloom’s “Sea-toSea Tea”, monies raised there are in support of CBCF – BC-Yukon. Pink Days In Bloom promotes healthy and beautiful living through gardening and garden touring. It is good for the gardening

and landscaping industry, while at the same time good for the soul and working together toward growing a future without breast cancer. I hope CNLA members across the country will join this growing movement.” Visit the Pink Days in Bloom Facebook page to learn more about this meaningful initiative.

New faces at CNLA T

his winter, CNLA welcomed two new staff members to the association. Teagan Giddings has joined the Member Services Team and helps to administer all of the Member Savings programs. Teagan comes from a garden retail background and is already extremely knowledgeable in all the details of our wide selection of savings programs. She is also the front-line for all incoming calls to the office, so it is likely that you will talk to her if you contact us. Teagan can be reached directly by phone at extension 8645 or by email at teagan@ cnla-acpp.ca. Jason Young has joined the Profesional Development department and provides valuable assistance to the Certification and Human Resource teams. If you have a question about certification or need help with your recertification forms, Jason can help! He can be reached at extension 8620 or by email at jason@cnla-acpp.ca. Even though Teagan and Jason have only be with the association for a few months, they have taken on quickly to the fast-paced, energetic office. Their roles at the CNLA are meant to directly support you, the member. Please join us in welcoming our newest team members!

CNLA staff, Teagan and Anne, at the LO Congress this January.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

KEEP UP WITH EVERY DEMAND. YOUR BUSINESS IS YOUR LIVELIHOOD. That’s why Caterpillar is built to help businesses like yours succeed every day – by supplying the right machine for the job, making parts available, offering up versatile work tool attachments and providing responsive service.

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

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» Save up to $2,750 on qualifying machines* » Get 0.9% for 60 months on a new Cat machine OR up to a $30,500 rebate on your trade-in** • Plus, up to a $1,000 Cat dealer credit toward parts, service or rental** » $250 off select new Cat attachments*** To take advantage of these exclusive offers, go to CatResourceCenter.com/CNLA.

Offers valid from February 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 on select new models of machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. Building Construction Products Division (Backhoe Loaders, Mini Hydraulic Excavators, Multi Track Loaders, Skid Steer Loaders, Compact Track Loaders, Telehandlers, Small Dozers). *To redeem your credit: Mention this ad to your local Cat dealer at time of purchase or lease quote. The purchase or lease offer applies to new Cat machines and select new Cat attachments purchased or leased by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) members before December 31, 2016. Limit of one machine purchase or lease credit per member. **Please visit CatResourceCenter.com/Special-Offers for offer details. ***$250 off select new Cat attachments. Limit of one credit per new attachment purchased. Machine and attachment offers available on new quotes only and may be combined with published Caterpillar Inc. Building Construction Products Division U.S. and Canadian offers only. Contact your local dealer for details and to see the complete discount pricing available per model. Subject to credit approval. Valid only at Cat dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada ©2016 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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

7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

A ‘seasonal’ industry can be a good thing By: Julia Ricottone, CAE, EP

You don’t have to move to Europe to get more vacation days, just work for us!

W

hether we like it or not, the horticulture industry in Canada is going to be seasonal. Yes, some companies take on the business of snow removal, and others get involved in winter décor and lighting, but there are many in the industry who do not work over the winter months. Why is that a bad thing? People are often envious of teachers, who get the summers off. Technically, that makes them seasonal, and they are hogging all the glory. The horticulture industry can offer a full time salary in a compressed work-year. Most employees will work over 2000 hours during the landscaping season – the same time that any regular full-time employee will spend at their job over the course of the entire year. If we want to attract more youth to the industry, perhaps this is the avenue we need to take. Many young people are looking

for a job that can offer a good work-life balance and we need to let them know that the horticulture industry can help them achieve this. Where else can you earn a full-time salary, but still get time-off in the winter to go on vacation, or spend time with your family, or just relax? If you have the opportunity to talk to young people, or talk to those who influence the younger generation, don’t make seasonal a bad word. Talk to them about the benefits that come along with it and make seasonality a positive part of our industry.

Ask the Wellness Expert

T

he Investment Guild is happy to announce that you and your employees have access to Ask the Wellness Expert, an online feature for employees to ask questions around nutrition, fitness, as well as other health and wellness inquiries. 80% of employees want employers to take an active role in creating a healthy workplace. Helping your employees lead healthier, more productive and happier lives through the value of a workplace wellness program makes good business sense. The benefits are tangible. Check out the health and life insurance plan offered by the Investment Guild, under the HortProtect Insurance program.

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Snow and ice risk management By: Marsh Canada Limited If customers hurt themselves on the property you are contracted to maintain, they may demand compensation or even sue you. Slips, trips, and falls, after snowfalls and in icy conditions, are leading to more lawsuits than ever before with more Canadian courts finding businesses guilty of negligence and awarding higher compensation for injuries sustained. To complicate matters, it can take months or even years for a claim to be advanced against you, and even longer for a resolution to be reached. Given the consequences of being unprepared, it only makes good business sense to investigate ways of helping to mitigate your exposure.

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Your risk of slip, trip, and fall incidents increases dramatically when complicated by the weather elements of snow and ice. Reviewing the adequacy of your insurance coverage and observing some best practices during inclement weather conditions can help ensure you are managing the risks effectively. Continue reading this article at www.cnla-acpp.ca/insurance Marsh Canada Limited is the endorsed insurance broker and risk advisor to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). For more information on how the commercial insurance program for members of the CNLA can help reduce your total cost of risk, please call your Marsh Canada Limited licensed insurance broker at 1 888 949 4360 or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

A letter of thanks L

ast spring, CNLA teamed up with the Never Alone Foundation to introduce the Never Alone rose to the market. The rose came out of the genetics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s past ornamentals breeding program. It is a cold hardy, 100 percent Canadian grown rose. Proceeds from the sale of each rose go to the Never Alone Foundation, ensuring that cancer patients and their families are never alone in their journey. The Never Alone Foundation is a national registered charity committed to improving the lives of people affected by cancer. Founded by former CFL Executive and Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumnus Lyle Bauer, the foundation’s vision is a world where no one enters the fight against cancer alone. Now, one year after the launch of the rose, the Foundation sent CNLA a letter explaining the impact of the rose so far.

‘I got rhythm’ T

he Oscar Peterson Rose is the latest rose in the popular Canadian Artists Rose Series. This rose lives up to its namesake in vibrancy, toughness and a tendency for encores. It will be available in select garden centres across Canada Spring 2016. The flawless, deep green foliage acts as a perfect foil for blossoms that appear as if from a never ending floral spring. These glossy leaves are the result of the hard work and patience of generations of breeders who have worked to create roses with superb hardiness, disease resistance and great beauty. The semi-double flowers begin life in a shade of softest yellow cream, especially in cooler weather. Often the tips of the petals are lightly touched by red. Soon cream turns to glistening bright white and a contrasting boss of golden yellow stamens. The flowers are arranged in sprays, and, like a musician who finishes his set with style, the petals drop cleanly away once the show is over.

To all Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association Members: We truly hope that you know the impact that your actions have on the lives of others. We are asked many times “Why do we help?” There is a very simple answer to that question... Because we can! You not only CAN you DID! On behalf of the Never Alone Foundation, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the Never Alone Rose. It was an honour to be part of this national campaign. The growers, nurseries, staff and the customers made a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families across Canada. Nursery owner Ray DuBois explains, “My sister is a cancer survivor. There isn’t one person in this world that doesn’t have one degree of separation from a cancer survivor. The Never Alone Rose represents much more than just a plant. It’s a reflection that for those who beat cancer, life goes on with a little more appreciation for its splendour and beauty. For those who have lost the battle, it is a reminder for friends and families of the beauty and wonder of their loved one’s life.” Cancer patient Bernie M. wrote “There are times when I really felt alone, sad and scared because it is me going through this and no one really knows what I am feeling. Well I was wrong. Your gift and newsletter have opened my eyes and my heart, so again, Thank You to everyone at NAF, you have another survivor and fighter to add your group. Take care.” Again on behalf of everyone at the Never Alone Foundation and all of us who fight this dreaded disease on a daily basis, a heartfelt thank you. We look forward to being a part of this program for many years and feel that it will continue to grow.

Lyle Bauer Dave Black Shirlee Preteau Co-Chair Co-Chair Executive Director Never Alone Foundation

This rose is a class act that does not spread across the bed with bothersome suckers. It grows upright to slightly spreading, making it a good specimen plant or an ideal hedging rose. This is among the hardiest roses that have appeared in the Canadian Artist Series, being able to survive temperatures of -35ºC with nary a bud damaged. The flowers

appear without a break from late spring till the fall frosts close the curtain on its outstanding performance. It will have you shouting for an encore, and like its generous namesake, will no doubt deliver on your request. Learn more at www.canadianartistsroses.com

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Connecting with CWF P

23 nursery growers and suppliers from across Ontario travelled to Europe this January to see nursery operations and attend the IPM Essen trade show.

Continued from page one... differences, there were nonetheless many noteworthy technology and especially process enhancements of particular interest to the tour participants. Many nursery and greenhouse growing technologies were also on display at the IPM Essen technology hall. The trade show also features nursery and greenhouse producers from around the world and is a true showcase of what is new and in demand in the ornamental plant world. Pre- and post-tour meetings between the nursery sector and Vineland’s robotics and information team provided both parties with better insights into how they might best work together to address the gaps and challenges faced by the Canadian nursery sector. Further information on these cooperative possibilities and opportunities for participation will be forthcoming in the near future.

National skills competition less than three months away! Skills Canada National Competition will be hosted in Moncton, New Brunswick – June 5th-8th, 2016. www.skillscanada.com The ONLY annual national competition is Skills Canada. Their mission statement is simple: ‘to encourage and support a coordinated Canadian approach to promoting skilled trades and technologies to youth.’ In the words of Mike Holmes, “I don’t think anyone knows how important Skills Canada is…to me it is the beginning… to get kids into the trades.” Get in touch with your local association to see how you can help with sponsoring, volunteering, advertising and supporting your provincial team competitions.

2016 Ag Census for nursery producers At the beginning of May 2016, farm operators will be asked to update Canada’s agricultural profile by completing the 2016 Census of Agriculture questionnaire. The census will provide farmers, farm organizations, policy makers, stakeholders, and citizens with relevant information about the future of the Canadian agricultural sector and help them make informed decisions regarding agricultural practices in this country. The participation of nursery producers in the Census of Agriculture is an important factor in obtaining new information at the local and national levels.

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ollinator programs will abound across the country in 2016 with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) solidly leading the entire nation. CWF and CNLA have formed a partnership effectively linking the “Green Industry” with educators, schools and institutes of higher learning in Canada. Such linkage affords both organizations a huge advantage not only in awareness and the obvious business rewards, but also a sustainable reach to youth emphasizing the crucial importance of plants and pollinators. Adjunct partnerships with food security agencies, agricultural stakeholders, industry and academic notables is nothing short of a recipe for success. The power of CNLA affiliates nationwide in tandem with CWF’s extraordinary reputation, abilities and capacity for results will doubtless strike an imposing stride on Canada’s business and conservation fronts. What can you do? Certify your commercial properties as “Wildlife Friendly Habitats”. Walk the Talk as it were, demonstrate to the public what they can do and provide the plants for them to do it themselves. canadianwildlifefederation.ca/ certification Host a “Wild Family Nature Club” at your place of business. canadianwildlifefederation.ca/natureclub Become a destination for CWF’s L’il Green Sprouts. canadianwildlifefederation.ca/ lil-green-sprouts Carry CWF Endorsed plants in your retail outlets. canadianwildlifefederation.ca/ pollinators Promote CWF education programs to your constituents. canadianwildlifefederation.ca/education Host a Walk for Wildlife activity during National Wildlife Week nationalwildlifeweek.com

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Do more and make more on Canada’s largest LTE network.

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Choose from an amazing selection of smartphones at Bell. Devices start from $0. Visit a Bell store today and ask one of our experts for a complimentary Mobile Business Assessment.

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being with Bell just got better For details, contact the following Bell Business Expert:

Hummaad Ahmed hahmed@natcel.com 416 574-8638 Available within network coverage areas available from Bell Mobility where technology permits; see bell.ca/coverage. Other conditions apply. If you end your Commitment Period early, a Cancellation Fee applies; see your Agreement for details. Subject to change without notice. (1) Based on total sq kms of coverage on the shared LTE network available from Bell vs. Rogers’ LTE network. See bell.ca/LTE for details. HTC One is a trademark of HTC Corporation. Samsung Galaxy S6 is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used in Canada under license. “LG”, the “LG logo” and “LG G4” are the property of LG Corp and its affiliates.

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

7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

landscape industry

certified

Recently Awarded Landscape Industry Certifications Manager Ryan Milligan

ON

Technician - Hardscape Installation Jesse Perrin ON Technician - Softscape Installation Craig Beaulieu BC Designer Michael Bjorge Ricci Gould Katherine Kinch

BC ON AB *as of January 1, 2016

Written testing opportunities are available on the last Wednesday of the month in BC, AB, and NB. Manitoba offers exams on the third Friday of the month. For those, in NS, NL and ON, staff can accomodate your written test as requested.

CLD Grandfathering Provision S ince the grandfathering provision was created, we have received a few questions about how it works, so we thought we would break it down to help clarify.

The Designer designation recognizes that potential Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) candidates might have extensive industry experience or already possess membership in other landscape design organizations. Because of that, these candidates are eligible to apply to the program provision instead of writing the formal exam, and submitting a portfolio for review. Candidates with at least 12 years of design experience are now eligible to apply for the “Grandfathering” provision under the Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) designation. Likewise, any candidates with full membership to any professional landscape design certification are eligible for application as well.

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Professional Development In addition to providing proof of education and work experience, candidates are also required to submit two sponsorship letters, signed by current CLD’s, validating their submission. Once the application is approved, candidates will appear in front of the Review Committee to discuss three relevant design projects during which they played a significant part. To learn more you can visit certifiedlandscapedesigner. com or listen to the webinar that is available online. Any questions can be directed to Colin Vince or Claudia Santos at certification@cnla-acpp.ca or by phone at 1-888-446-3499.

Are you Red Seal Certified?

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NLA, along with the provincial associations, are working on a national registry of all members that are Landscape Horticulture Journeymen with Red Seal designations. Due to privacy rules, the provincial apprenticeship offices cannot provide CNLA with a list of individuals; only you can let us know! If you have a Red Seal designation, please send your name, contact information and details about your designation to Colin Vince (colin@cnla-acpp.ca or 1-888-4463499, ext.8625).

Prepare for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam

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Have The Necessary Skills All of the Landscape Industry Certified (LIC) designations reference a minimum recommended amount of experience that you should have. The LIC program was created to prove that your skills are up to industry standards, not to teach you the skills that you are being tested on. To ensure success during your testing process, we recommend that you identify the stations you will be required to challenge, and make sure that you feel comfortable with your skillset for each one.

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Buy The Study Materials The CNLA and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) created manuals that contain all of the content

found on the LIC exam, whether you are challenging the Technician, Manager, or Designer designation. Give yourself enough time to get familiar with the information within the manual so you can feel confident going into the exam. When you register for your exam, you will be given a registration package that will break down where you can find all of the content in the manuals problem by problem. This will help you focus on the areas that you are not as comfortable with. Along with the study materials, there are also sample questions that can help people who are not as comfortable with the mathematic portion of exams; it will map out how the formula can be worked through. Even when you are done studying, the manuals make great industry resources to have on hand.

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Budget Your Time When you begin the written exam, look through the package first to make sure you have everything you need, and you are aware of how each test section is broken down. From there, you should plan your time using the recommendations found on each test sheet. Try not to exceed each recommended amount so that you are not scrambling for time by the end. A helpful approach to avoid running out of time is to fill out everything you know and then go back to what you do not. There is no penalty for guessing on a question; if you do not know an answer the last thing you should do is leave it blank.

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Hands-On Examination You will receive an equipment list prior to your testing date. This document will help you prepare for the hands-on test day by informing you what equipment you will be using on test day. You can familiarize yourself by practicing with the equipment or reviewing the operators/safety manuals that are also listed on this document. On the test day you will also be receiving a time sheet, which will serve as your schedule. Make sure you understand where you are supposed to be during which time periods, so that you are not losing out on valuable time. Just remember that the certification test is not meant to trick the challenger, it is meant to show that the candidate has the skills to do the job safely and to industry standards.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Industry Human Resources Kick-off the New Year with two new exciting online resources: Green Careers Canada

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new online resource for educators, students and parents interested in the Landscaping and Horticulture profession launched January 13th, 2016. www.greencareerscanada.ca

Green Careers Canada was developed to provide opportunities for those who are looking for a career in a green profession to explore all options across the country including courses, scholarships, bursaries and apprenticeships in each province. The website creates awareness for guidance counsellors, co-op teachers, policy makers and partners about green career options. Green Careers Canada will be updated regularly with new events and up-to-date information making it the go-to source for students and educators. Ontario was the first province to contribute content with the remaining provincial landscape associations following suit. The contributions from all provinces, educators and students will be critical to the success of Green Careers Canada. We encourage everyone to join the discussions, network, share, and keep growing at www.greencareerscanada.ca. “Students can look at schools, careers and scholarships, industry can participate in looking for students and sponsorship opportunities. Secondary schools can connect with colleges and then as an educator we can actually post material that we can share.” ~ Michael Pascoe NPD, ODH, CLT, M.Sc. Program Coordinator, Horticulture Programs at Fanshawe

Effective Leadership

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he Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and Landscape Ontario launched an interactive online resource during Congress 2016 – called Effective Leadership – to provide insight into

business management and effective leadership for the green profession. www.elpathway.ca The pathway to business success is leadership. Effective Leadership is a foundational pillar where everyone in the company are enabled to reach their potential and soar to success. The central theme throughout the Resource at elpathway.ca is ‘development’ - the actions we continually take to move our businesses forward. Several Landscape and Horticulture business managers and owners share their own experiences through each growth phase in their company. Elpathway.ca provides an opportunity to learn from your peers, while learning best practices in our business. “From my perspective, our business continues to grow as the skills/and passion of our team grows; that’s how we’ll keep exceeding our clients’ expectations.” ~ Ed Hansen, President, Hansen Lawn & Garden Ltd., Ottawa, ON. “We encourage our employees to be excited to climb our challenging goals’ mountain by communicating the quarterly strategic priorities thus enabling them to develop a sense of direction and focus.” ~ Phil Paxton, CLT, CLM, President, Alpha Better Group of Companies, Calgary, AB

Member Letter:

Thornbusch Landscaping Company Inc. and apprenticeship

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hornbusch Landscaping Company Inc. was born out of 30 years of varying degrees of involvement in the horticulture industry. That involvement started as a child in a family greenhouse nursery business in Niagara and has grown into a sincere desire and passion to be a part of the advancement of horticulture in general.

P - professionalism R - respect I - integrity D - dedication E - experience Paul Doornbos, President & CEO of Thornbusch recently made some outstanding comments with regards to Apprenticeship: “As a company that has grown from three to now seven employees we have never taken training as an option but rather as a requirement. It is part of why we have succeeded. We have had four people go through the apprenticeship program and two through the Landscape Industry Certified Technician program. This does not include me having both the CLT (technician) and CLM (manager) designations. I also teach/deliver components of the apprenticeship program, On-the-Job training, as well as various preparatory courses for the Landscape Industry Certified Manager modules. To me, training equals growth both in learning and development of individuals and our teams. Not all of these staff have remained, some have gone on to other careers, but I constantly am reminded of the Aristotle quote at the end of all my CLM and Apprenticeship lectures: ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit!’. To me this sums up many of the challenges in our industry. We choose to be great and to desire to raise the bar within our companies and our industry. We need to challenge ourselves to INSPIRE greatness, excellence and professionalism amongst our colleagues and the public by sharing our story loudly and proudly!” Submitted by: Paul Doornbos CLT, CLM President & CEO Thornbusch Landscaping Company Inc. www.thornbuschlandscaping.com

To that end, the company’s motto is “Let us show you our P.R.I.D.E.”

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Growers Canada

Health Canada launches pesticide label mobile app

Productivity enhancements for the nursery sector

Health Canada launched a new mobile app that allows users to access pesticide labels that have been registered for use in Canada. This app, called Pesticide Labels, will help homeowners, farmers, industry, as well as provincial and federal organizations look up specific pesticide label instructions from the convenience of their smartphone or tablet. This free app is available from mobile device app stores, including Google Play and the iTunes App Store. With this new user-friendly tool, users can access the most up-to-date health and safety information right at their fingertips.

As a result of a recent nursery grower trip to Germany and The Netherlands, including a full two days at the IPM Essen trade show, the grower industry in Ontario has engaged Vineland’s robotics and technology team to investigate how some of the technologies they have seen at work in European nurseries might be adapted for use in Canada. Although this exploratory work will begin in Ontario, it will include engagement and consultation to the nursery sector across Canada. This exciting new initiative is currently in its start-up phase and so all nursery growers interested in participating are requested to contact Rita Weerdenburg at the CNLA office or James Aiello at VRIC.

In addition, users will be able to save their searches as well as download product labels to their ‘Favourites’ for access, even when they are offline. Search “Pesticide Labels” in the App Store or on Google Play to download.

Winter Webinar series recordings now online C

Cash advances for Canadian farmers

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he Advance Payments Program (APP) is a financial loan guarantee program that gives producers easier access to credit through cash advances. This means improved cash flow throughout the year and better opportunities for marketing their agricultural products. The APP provides producers with a cash advance on the value of their agricultural products during a specified period. By improving their cash flow throughout the year, the APP helps crop and livestock producers meet their financial obligations and benefit from the best market conditions. As a Canadian Farmer, you can access cash advances of up to 50% of the market price of your crops, livestock, vegetables, greenhouse and nursery products, and over 4,500 other agricultural products. Advance amounts are based on your anticipated pro-duction within the current production period and/or agricultural product in inventory. Read more at www.agcreditcorp.ca

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NLA brought its members three informative webinars this winter season. A recording of each webinar is available on the association website at www.cnla-acpp. ca/webinars. The topics were:

• AgriStability: should it be part of your company’s BRM strategy

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Tree Survivability in the Urban Landscape

Dutchmaster Nurseries ranked top 3 in the world!

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huge congratulations to Dutchmaster Nurseries on tying for Bronze in the category of Finished Plants and Trees at the 2016 AIPH International Grower of the Year awards ceremony. The award was accepted by Matthew Tillaart and Marlin Tillaart at the gala event held in conjunction with the IPM Essen trade show in Essen, Germany on Thursday, Jan 28th. This is the fifth time Canada has been invited to compete in the International Grower of the Year awards as a finalist.

How green is artificial turf?

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iskinds Environmental Group, an Ontario-based law firm, recently released some interesting information about the physical and environmental implications of artificial turf versus natural turf, based on research they had compiled. Though artificial turf has come a long way – from Chemgrass to AstroTurf – there are still concerns associated with this material. Consider, for instance that it can take anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 used tires to produce enough infill (the layer of turf that holds up the material to look like blades of grass), or the fact that as the rubber deteriorates, it may release chemicals such as lead and nickel. Much of the literature relating to environmental and health impacts of artificial turf relates to the rubber component. But based on Siskinds’ findings, the environmental concerns raised about artificial turf include the fact that artificial turf will divert rainwater into runoff, which could reach groundwater and drinking water. As well, artificial turf heats up in the sunlight (unlike natural turf which provides a cooling surface), and can contribute to increases in urban temperatures. It may also be contaminated with harmful chemicals; as artificial fields don’t filter air or water pollutants in the same way that natural turf does. In terms of health concerns, artificial turf can cause heat stress as its temperature increases, it can cause many more injuries to individuals playing on it, is a breeding ground for bacteria, affects people allergic to latex, and can introduce users to harmful chemical exposure. Though artificial turf is lower maintenance, does not require fertilizer, and allows for longer playing seasons – it is worth noting that the gaps in scientific knowledge about the possible health and environmental impacts of artificial turf remain.

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Member Services for a void you need to fill. You do not necessarily need to run to a job board to find the candidate you think you are looking for. Even if a great candidate you already employ may not have all of the skills and experience right now, what they do understand is how the company works and what makes their co-workers tick. This kind of knowledge can mean a steep learning curve for an outsider.

Three ways to maximize employee retention A ccording to a 2015 Conference Board CEO study, the Employee Engagement Group found that retention and engagement have become two of the highest priorities for organizations around the globe.

Here we delve into a few ways that you can improve employee retention within your company.

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Help your staff define their career path, and don’t be afraid to invest in them According to a 2015 report conducted by LinkedIn, of over 10,500 workers surveyed who had changed jobs, 59% made the change because of better opportunities and a stronger career path. In contrast, only 54% took a new job because of improved compensation. What does that mean for you as an employer? Sit down with your staff and really take the time to learn what they would like to be doing anywhere from five to 10 years down the road. As individuals, it is normal that we want to grow, and for a lot of employees, stagnation can also equal boredom. That is why it is important for you to find out what skills your staff would like to improve, what kind of additional training or credentials they would like to achieve – and make it clear that you support them in doing so. If, for example, you have a staff member wanting to make the jump to the managerial level, don’t be afraid to invest in the resources they need to get to that point, whether it be Landscape Industry Certification training manuals, or registration within the Certified Landscape Manager exam. The point is, the more you help your staff meet their professional goals, the greater likelihood you have of holding onto welltrained and quality talent.

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Make sure company and employee success are one in the same Have you heard the adage that “great companies are formed by great people?” Well, it is time to put that notion into practice. According to Fast Company, 30% of the working population is willing to do anything and everything to help their boss and organization succeed, which means that you need to recognize where exactly your success is coming from. Most employees are compensated for their performance, versus the company’s success, so as an employer it is important for you to recognize that distinction. Don’t hold back when it comes to recognizing the hard work of your staff, and what a difference they make to your company as a whole. Whether that means treating your staff to a team bonding activity or creating an award system, make it clear that your company’s future relies on your employees.

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You don’t necessarily need to look elsewhere when a role needs to be filled Within LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends for 2016, only 12% of companies focus on internal hiring and transfers as a top recruiting priority versus 32% that focus on employee retention – but more often than not, they can have a direct correlation on each other. It is important to listen to and take care of your workforce, which can often mean recognizing when you already have someone who would be a great option

Internal promotion has its added benefits. First off, it is a great motivator for other staff members to improve upon their performance if it could mean a promotion for them as well, but it also puts the control in your hands of how the transition would take place. That way you can ease your staff member into new responsibilities and out of old ones at a pace that not only allows them to get their bearings, but is more convenient to you.

Program Spotlight: St. John Ambulance

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NLA is thrilled with its new partnership with St. John Ambulance to achieve our national First Aid training commitments and strategic health and safety objectives. We have negotiated preferential pricing for your first aid with CPR certification. Members receive an eight percent discount on first aid training and a ten percent discount on first aid kits. Visit the CNLA website for province-specific order sheets. St. John Ambulance is a charity and international humanitarian organization dedicated to helping Canadians improve their health, safety and quality of life through training and community service. As Canada’s standard for excellence in first aid and CPR services since 1883, St. John Ambulance offers innovative programs and products to save lives at work, home, and play. www.cnla-acpp.ca/stjohnambulance

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Landscape Canada Canadian Landscape Standard: a major accomplishment T he Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) have joined forces to create a new tool that will set guidelines for landscape construction projects across Canada. The Canadian Landscape Standard is intended for use by anyone who specifies, designs, builds or maintains landscape work. Using the highly successful BC Landscape Standard as a basis for the Canadian Midtow version, the standard is nain Focus national document, with regional supplements. Toronto PUBLIC , Ontario WORK office for

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The Canadian Landscape Standard shows your clients that your work NATIO NAL H ONOU R meets a nationally recognized standard. Industry will be able to refer to the standard during the bid process. It is intended to be user-friendly, available in both hard copy and digital formats. The Canadian Landscape Standard will be a living document that will continually be reviewed and updated to remain current. A subscription will keep users updated as new sections are available and revisions are made. CNLA and CSLA would like to recognize the BC Landscape Standard Committee, consisting of volunteers from the BC Landscape & Nursery Association, and BC Society of Landscape Architects, who worked diligently over the last 20 years to create the BC Landscape Standard, and who allowed the BC document to be adopted nationally. A legacy page in the Canadian Landscape Standard acknowledges their immeasurable contribution to this new document. A national committee consisting of representatives of CNLA and CSLA has put in many hours to ensure that the Canadian Landscape Standard is a tool that can be used across the country. In addition, many reviewers across the country examined specific sections in depth to ensure national application.

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For more information on the Canadian Landscape Standard, and how to purchase your copy, please visit www.csla-aapc.ca/ standard

Landscape Canada Summit held in conjunction with Green City meetings During the AIPH International Green City Conference and Tours, the Landscape Canada committee hosted a Landscape Summit, with the theme: Healthy Cities, Healthy Landscapes - getting green right!

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ion

CNLA represents growers, landscapers and garden centres, and all of our members recognize the benefits our products and services offer to the green movement. Yet, we continue to see landscapes failing, and being replaced with grey infrastructure and unsustainable solutions.

At the Summit, groups brainstormed a number of different topics that are impacting the greening of our cities. This includes adapting to climate change, preventing landscapes from failing, the economics of green infrastructure, and how to influence policy changes to put these new concepts into play. Throughout the discussions we heard some examples of successes and failures from the participants’ perspective as they related to green infrastructure, and how that knowledge can be applied to get green right in our cities. With the Federal Government highlighting green infrastructure, now is the time to make a difference in Canada. It is the hope that the outcome of the Landscape Summit will result in a plan that is supported by all of the stakeholders gathered, and ultimately will help policy makers embrace living green infrastructure as a viable option.

Number crunching for Design/Build firms: part two

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n this installment of knowing your numbers to grow your business we will focus on working hours per day versus revenue. This information, presented by DynaSCAPE Software Inc., includes data from over 250 companies across North America. Working hours per day range from 9.10 hours to 9.87 based on the revenue category of the company. Looking at the trends among the working hours and revenue category, it is clear that although the numbers vary by business size, the companies in the revenue category over three million dollars also happen to be the most efficient in terms of working hours per day for each of their employees. On the other hand, companies between the one to two million dollar revenue mark, are spending on average more time working during each work day. These working hour trends could mean more money being spent for companies who pay their staff hourly wages. This begs the question, how do your staff’s average working hours compare to your revenue and is that time being used efficiently?

Revenue Working Hours/Day Category (Avg) $0 - $500k

9.42

$500 - $1m

9.38

$1m - $1.5m

9.87

$1.5m - $2m

9.75

$2m - $2.5m

9.41

$2.5m - $3m

9.43

Stay tuned for the Summit results.

$3m+ 9.1

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

Garden Centres Canada Bring Millennials into your garden centre this year I

are accepting the cards. CNLA has developed some marketing materials to help you communicate this with your customers. •

s a new generation of customers coming into your garden centre? Millennials have busy lives. They are living in smaller spaces, they spend less time at home, and they are the type of consumer who wants their shopping experience to be fast, easy and personalized. They grew up in the digital age and are constantly connected. All of these characteristics are barriers for garden centres to attract Millennials. But, as smart business owners, you know one important thing: Millennials have parents who still have gardens. With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day around the corner, they are going to be looking for a quick and easy gift to give their parents. Why not promote a gift that speaks their language? The Green for Life gift card does just that! The purchase can be made directly from your website (or gardengiftcard.ca) and an electronic gift card is sent directly to the recipient (immediately or on a scheduled date). The cards can be redeemed at any participating garden centre.

It is possible for customers to purchase the gift cards directly from your website. If you choose to add this option to your website, you can customize the gift cards to add your logo, and include images that correspond with certain holidays and special occasions. Setup is simple. Register your store as a merchant at gardegiftcard.ca, and your terminals will be set up over the phone. Cards are redeemed through the MasterCard network. It is easy and requires no additional hardware for the merchant. • For more information, please contact the CNLA office, of visit www.gardengiftcard.ca

The easy way to track your sales

a report back. The more garden centres that participate, the more valuable data you will get back about what is happening both in your region and nationally. It will help you increase efficiency by allowing you to easily identify trends. The benchmarking program will enable CNLA to gain access to more accurate industry data so we can create programs and services that will better serve our garden centre members. Learning more about trends from garden centres will also be valuable for growers to help them select what to grow in the future. We encourage all garden centre members to take advantage of this program and enter data on a weekly basis. All of your data will remain anonymous and only the aggregate data of participants will be shared. Preregister your store online to be the first to take advantage of this great program: www.cnla-acpp.ca/gccbenchmarking

Like us on

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magine a world where every week you received a report that gave you a summary of what your sales look like.

/gardencentrescanada

What does it mean for you? •

As a participating garden centre, it is important to note that funds are exchanged when a card is redeemed at your store. So make sure you let your customers know that you

You can easily look at your sales by category for each week, along with summary totals for the week and year to date. Soon you won’t have to imagine this because it will exist, thanks to Garden Centres Canada (GCC), and funding received from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. GCC has been working on developing this software over the last year, and it will soon be available for your store to take advantage of. Inspired by similar programs in the UK and USA, this program will require you to enter your sales data weekly in order to receive

Swiss chocolate tastes better in Switzerland

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he 2016 International Garden Centre Association Congress is taking place in Zurich, Switzerland from August 21-26, 2016. Learn about the innovative ways that Swiss garden centres are able to attract customers to their stores by competing with bordering countries by offering much lower prices. Experience the beautiful Swiss landscape and cultural traditions, while seeing some of the best garden centres in the country. If you were looking for the perfect excuse to buy a Swiss Watch, or some high quality chocolate, why not add some garden centres into the mix and make it a business trip? For more information visit www.igcc2016.ch

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca | www.cnla-acpp.ca

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CNLA Newsbrief

Winter 2016

ELECTRIC START

STIHL BR 450 C-EF Backpack Blower The NEW BR 450 C-EF is STIHL's first professional blower with electric start. By just a press of a button, the BR 450 C-EF is ready to go. When silence is preferable and walking while idling is avoidable, simply turn the engine off for less noise and additional fuel savings. In extremely cold temperatures when the electric start is insufficient to get the engine started, the unit is equipped with the STIHL Easy2Start™ which ensures a stress-free comfortable start by reducing the number of pulls required to start the engine. The BR 450 C-EF also features an adjustable length blower tube and handle, eliminating any discomfort when operating.

Displacement 63.3 cc

Weight 11.5 kg (25.4 lb)

Power Output 2.9 kW

Sound Level 77 dB(A)

• Adjust the blower tube to increase mobility • Handle position can be quickly adjusted without the need of tools • Wide shoulder straps and large back padding provide greater comfort • Anti-vibration system reduces vibrations to the lower back • Longer air filter life due to increased filter size

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

STIHLCanada

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JOIN THE CLUB that everyone is talking about! www.STIHLCLUB.ca

*

www.stihl.ca

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

7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@cnla-acpp.ca| www.cnla-acpp.ca


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