Horticulture Review - December 2008

Horticulture The Voice of Landscape Ontario

Review

December 15, 2008

Volunteer spirit LO Annual Report issue highlights the power of volunteerism

Paul DeGroot of Connon Nurseries/NVK has greeted visitors to LO’s trade shows since 1987

Canada Blooms - Page 53 • Pesticide call to action - Page 60 • LO hosts Suzuki - Page 62

Ideas • Best Practices • Leadership

Conferences REGISTER NOW for Congress Conference www.locongress.com

Canada’s 36th International Horticultural Lawn and Garden Trade Show and Conference January 6-8, 2009 • Toronto Congress Centre

Tuesday January 6, 2009 Opening keynote by founding member of the ‘Green City’ initiative

Jan Habets Managing Director L A N T

U B L I C I T Y

O L L A N D

Pre-register by December 10, 2008 and become eligible to win:

Sponsors

Radisson Suites Hotel Toronto Airport • Bobcat of Hamilton Ltd. Sittler Environmental • Vermeer Canada Inc.

www.locongress.com

RTV 500 courtesy of Kubota Canada 42” Philips flat HDTV with pixel plus courtesy of Exmark Commercial Mowers Weekend for two at the Radisson Suite Hotel Toronto Airport

Landscape Ontario and industry events

Chapter events LO chapters host an array of great events! To publicize your chapter’s event, please e-mail chapterevents@landscapeontario.com January 20 Ottawa Chapter Meeting RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa Annual LO round table update with Tony DiGiovanni and LO president Bob Adams.

Contact Lynn Lane at 613-796-5156.

January 21 Upper Canada Chapter Meeting New Strathcona Paper Centre Arena, 16 McPerson Dr., Napanee Managing Financial Statements. This is a daytime meeting, running 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

January 22 Golden Horseshoe Chapter Meeting Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington Daytime meeting features Patrick Evalgelisto. For more information, contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

February 3 Durham Chapter Meeting Holiday Inn, 1011 Bloor Street E. , Oshawa Daytime presentation of LO’s Prosperity Partners introductory seminar with Jacki Hart starts at 10 a.m.

February 4 Toronto Chapter Meeting Steam Whistle Brewery All you need to know to start your season; meet bylaw officers and MTO representatives. Meeting runs from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

February 5 Golden Horseshoe Chapter Meeting Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington Daytime meeting features speaker Mark Bradley. For more information, contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext.354.

February 10 London Chapter Meeting Lamplighter Inn, Royal Palm Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London

rating 35 Years Celeb

Buffet lunch at 12:00 noon, followed by an afternoon seminar from 1:00 - 4:00 with guest speaker Michael Lewis, speaking on Building the Winning Team — A Guide to Hiring, Training and Keeping Great Employees. Cost is $25 per person, lunch included, pre-registration required.

Contact Wendy Harry at 1-888-211-5606, ext. 2356.

February 18 Waterloo Chapter Meeting Knights of Columbus, 145 Deerborn Pl., Waterloo Business meeting from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., features Michael Lewis speaking on Building the Winning Team — A Guide to Hiring, Training and Keeping Great Employees. Afternoon the topic: Marketing for Small Business...Success Made Easy and Profitable! $50 for members, $75 for non-members. Lunch is included.

February 19 Windsor Chapter Meeting Zehrs, Malden Community Room, 5890 Malden Rd., Windsor Guest speaker Michael Lewis on Typical Business Blunders and How to Avoid or Repair Them. No charge, begins at 3 p.m.

March 3 Durham Chapter Meeting Holiday Inn, 1011 Bloor Street E., Oshawa Get road-ready for the upcoming season with an update from the MTO. Meeting begins at 10 a.m.

March 4 Upper Canada Chapter Meeting New Strathcona Paper Centre Arena, 16 McPerson Dr., Napanee Get your trucks ready for the road with a presentation from the Ministry of Transportation. The meeting runs 1-3 p.m.

Continued on page 4

LA N

DSCAPE ONTAR IO

CONGRESS January 6 - January 8 Congress 2009 Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road New at Congress this year is the Green Forum, featuring environmental stewardship seminars and innovative green products. To register for the show or the Congress Conference, visit www.locongress.com. To exhibit contact Paul Day, show manager, at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 339.

Congress 35th Logo.indd 1

12/13/2007 9:21:00 AM

January 20 Prosperity Partners Introductory Workshop Hugh Foster Hall, 43 Brown St., Milton The introductory Prosperity Partnership seminars will get you started on to the road of success. This program is intended to help green industry members clarify their strength, and understand the components of their business needing attention and improvement. A seminar workbook will be provided. Register at www.horttrades.com/prospart.

February 11 Growers Short Course 2009 Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington Featuring Dr. Hannah Mathers of the Vineland Centre for Research and Innovation, speaking on site preparation for field nurseries as well as sustainable nursery production. In addition, a variety of industry researchers and growers will present the results of their LOContinued on page 4

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

Chapter events Continued from page 3 March 5 Golden Horseshoe Chapter Daytime Meeting ED Smith, 944 Hwy 8, Winona Get ready for the road this spring with an update from the MTO. Chapter elections will also be held. Contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

March 10 London Chapter Meeting Lamplighter Inn, Royal Palm Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London Preview of this year’s garden trends and new plant introductions. Social hour 6-7:00 p.m. followed by the meeting. No charge.

funded research, government updates, as well as up-to-the minute news. The day concludes with the popular Growers’ Good Idea session.

Pre-registration is $65 for LO members and $75 for potential members. Registration is $90, cash or cheque only. Continental breakfast at 7:30 with the sessions starting promptly at 8:30. Online registration is available shortly at www.horttrades.com under Growers Commodity Group.

February 17 Prosperity Partnership Best Practices Seminar Hugh Foster Hall, 43 Brown St., Milton If you have completed the first Introductory Prosperity Partnership workshop, this is the next step on your journey. Join landscape professional and facilitator Jacki Hart as she shares best practices compiled from industry champions. Best practices in five areas will be highlighted: financial health, professional operations, sales success, leadership and developing customers for life. Register online at www.horttrades.com/prospart.

Your Boxwood

Specialist!

Nursery Sales

RR #4 – 12302 10th Line, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4S7 Tel: 416-798-7970 Fax: 905-873-9591 E-mail: sales@sheridannurseries.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

February 18 Green Trade Expo Lansdowne Park, Ottawa Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter presents GreenTrade Expo, Eastern Ontario’s only horticultural trade and equipment show.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Contact Lynn Lane at 613-796-5156 or visit www.greentrade.ca.

February 25 Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa Award-winning garden designer Julie Moir Messervy will do an overview of her new book on the six steps for creating home outside, complete with case studies and diagrams. Messervy specializes in designing contemplative gardens, including Toronto’s Music Garden. Begins at 7 p.m. Cost: $35 general audience, $30 for Landscape Ontario members, only until Dec. 31. Discount tickets must be purchased online at www.centrepointetheatre.com. Contact Centrepointe Box Office at (866) 752-5231 or Lynn Lane at (613) 796-5156.

February 26 Creating Home Outside: Techniques and Tips for Designers, Builders and Homeowners RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa Industry workshop with award-winning designer Julie Moir Messervy, who will focus on how to make ‘home outside’ happen, not only in terms of design, but also techniques, tips, and details. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. 12 noon. Cost of $150 includes lunch. Register online at www.locc.ca by Feb. 15. Maximum 100 people accepted. For more information, contact Lynn Lane (613) 796-5156.

March 18 - March 22 Canada Blooms Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building For information, or to register as a volunteer at the show, visit www.canadablooms.com.

Landscape Ontario staff Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

Suffix for all e-mail addresses below: @landscapeontario.com

Executive board

Windsor Chapter

LO staff members are committed to member service. Please call with your questions or concerns.

7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Tel: (905) 875-1805 or 1-800-265-5656 Fax: (905) 875-3942 Web: www.horttrades.com

President

President: Karl Klinck, kklinck@ Board rep: Garry Moore

E-mail suffix for all staff members: @landscapeontario.com

Past president

Commodity groups

Executive director Tony DiGiovanni CHT, ext. 304, tonydigiovanni@

Designers

Executive assistant Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309, kpugliese@

Robert Adams, robertadams@ Bob Tubby CLP, bobtubby@ First vice-president

Tom Intven, tintven@

Chair and board rep: Beth Edney CLD, bedney@

Second vice-president

Garden centre

Tim Kearney CLP, tkearney@ Secretary/treasurer

Phil Charal, pcharal@

Chapters reps Durham Chapter

Controller Joe Sabatino, ext. 310, jsabatino@ Administrative assistant Jane Leworthy, ext. 301, jleworthy@

Chair and board rep: Bob McCannell, bmccannell@

Project coordinator, member services team Kristen McIntyre CHT, ext. 321, kristenm@

Grounds management Chair: Mike DeBoer CHT Board rep: Brian Marsh

Membership and chapter coordinator. membership services team Stephanie Smith, ext. 354, ssmith@

Growers

Membership coordinator, Ottawa Chapter Lynn Lane, 613-796-5156, llane@

President: Brian Marsh, bmarsh@ Board rep: Mark Humphries, mhumphries@

Co-chairs and board reps: Bart Brusse, Dave Braun

Georgian Lakelands Chapter

Interiorscape

Membership coordinator, London and Windsor Chapters Wendy Harry, 519-488-0818, wharry@

President: Michael Laporte Board rep: Mark Goodman

Chair and Board rep: Stephen Schell CHT

Golden Horseshoe Chapter

President: Tim Cruickshanks, tcruickshanks@

Chair: Chris LeConte Board rep: Steve Macartney CIT, smacartney@

London Chapter

Landscape contractors

President: Tim Cradduck, tcradduck@ Board rep: Michael Pascoe CHT, mpascoe@

Chair: Peter Guinane Board rep: Phil Charal, pcharal@

Ottawa Chapter

Lawn care

Toronto Chapter

Lighting

President: Tim Dyer Board rep: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT President: Fiona Penn Zieba Board rep: George Urvari, gurvari@

Upper Canada Chapter

President and board rep: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, pdoornbos@

Waterloo Chapter

President: David Wright Board rep: John Keenan, jkeenan@

Manager, Pesticide Industry Council Tom Somerville, ext. 351, tsomerville@

Irrigation

Trade show coordinator Linda Nodello, ext. 353, lnodello@

Chair: John Higo Board rep: John Scanlon

Sales and business development manager Gilles Bouchard, ext. 323, gbouchard@

Snow and ice management Chair: Ed Hewis Board rep: Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@ Jacki Hart CLP Gregg Salivan

Editorial director Sarah Willis, ext. 313, sarahw@ Editor Allan Dennis, ext. 320, aldennis@

CNLA Board Rep

Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Web editor Robert Ellidge, ext. 312, rob@

Horticulture Review

Art director Melissa Steep, ext. 347, msteep@

The Voice of Landscape Ontario

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

Manager, public relations Denis Flanagan CLD, ext. 303, dflanagan@ Manager, information technology Ian Service, ext. 325, iservice@ Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP, ext. 314, lak@

Members at Large

Views expressed in Horticulture Review are those of the writer concerned. Horticulture Review and Landscape Ontario assume no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2008, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $40.43 per year (GST included).

Education and labour development Ken Tomihiro, ext. 319, ktomihiro@ Education and labour development Kathy McLean, ext. 306, kathym@ Trade show manager Paul Day CDE, ext. 339, paulday@ Trade show sales Lorraine Ivanoff, ext. 366, lpi@

Chair: Gavin Dawson Board rep: Alan White, awhite@

December 15, 2008 • Volume 26, No. 12

Manager, education and labour development Sally Harvey CLP, CHT, ext. 315, sharvey@

ISSN 0823-8472 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To: Circulation Department Horticulture Review 7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8

Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski, ext. 356, mikew@ Sales manager, publications Steve Moyer, ext. 316, stevemoyer@ Communications assistant Susan Therrien, ext. 305, stherrien@

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

LO members issue reasons they can’t support draft pesticide proposals Landscape Ontario has issued a statement that its lawn care members cannot support the draft regulations for the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008, released on November 7, 2008 by the Ontario government.

“If these proposed directions are followed in the final regulations, our industry will have no ability to deal with insect infestations when they occur on clients’ proprieties,” states a call to action to Landscape Ontario’s 2,000-plus members.

The association’s lawn care commodity group is requesting members to call their local MPP and either speak with them by phone or book a time to meet at their constituency office.

As well, “Members should encourage all of their employees, as well as family, friends, suppliers and clients to phone, write or e-mail their MPP” Members are asked to submit a written response to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry posting of the draft Regulations (New General Regulation under the Pesticides Act, 1990 to implement the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008). See website: http://www.ebr. gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA0OTk2&statusI d=MTU3MjYz&language=en.

“Although LO originally supported the intent Draft Regulations Communication Points (Ed. note: These are speaking points that can be used in conversation with your MPP, so that Landscape Ontario members are speaking about the pesticide ban in a unified, collective voice).

Landscape Ontario does not support the draft regulations as currently written.

• They do not allow solutions that will prevent the destruction of Ontario’s lawns and landscapes from damaging pest infestations.

• They do not create a level playing field.

Damaging insect infestations

• Viable, effective alternative solutions do not exist to control the wide range of insect pests threatening our green spaces.

If they exist, what are they?

• While some may argue a few weeds in a lawn is deemed cosmetic and the use of a traditional herbicide to control them is non-essential, there can be no argument

of the cosmetic ban, it was conditionally based on licensed, IPM Accredited technicians being able to use two low risk products for serious infestations.

We believe this is a reasonable request,” says Tony DiGiovanni, LO’s executive director.

Commodity group members say that no viable, effective alternative solution exists to control the wide range of insect pests threatening our green spaces. The group was unanimous in asking, “If alternative solutions exist, what are they?”

Members, all professionals in lawn care, say that the government continues to point to alternatives for pest control, but none exist, nor are there any

that are visible off on the horizon on the long road required for product approval.

Other concerns listed by the professional members of LO include inadequate notice of the final rules and allowing the retail sale to homeowners of otherwise banned pesticides labeled for lawn and garden insect control, while banning professional use.

The members of the commodity group have outlined four points as possible solutions to the pesticide proposals. A complete list of the solutions and LO’s official call follow on this page and on page 7.

LO’s official call to action The following is the official call to action by Landscape Ontario’s Lawn Care Commodity group: The draft regulations under the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008, released by the government on November 7, are completely unsatisfactory to Landscape Ontario and the professional lawn care industry. If these proposed directions are followed in the final regulations, our industry will be unable to deal with insect infestations on clients’ proprieties. that damaging insect infestations that risk the destruction of our lawns and landscapes goes beyond cosmetic.

Inadequate notice of the final rules

• The EBR consultation will not be completed until Christmas. Final regulations are unlikely to be available until March.

• It would be unreasonable and unduly punitive for the government to expect an industry to comply with such drastically amended regulations within such a short time frame.

• The lawn care industry cannot suspend business operations waiting for finalized regulations. These business operations include: • Contractual obligations • 2009 customer retention initiatives and pre-payment transactions • Marketing material and strategies • Program structures and pricing • Adjustments to staff recruitment and training • Product purchasing needs

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

The executive of the Lawn Care Commodity Group will be involved in a direct meetings and discussion with the Minister of the Environment, the Premier’s Office and other senior government officials. At the same time, we need both the Ministry and MPPs to be fully aware of how upset people in the industry are, and the dire consequences these proposed policies will have on lawns across the province.

Continued on next page

•E quipment purchase / modification needs • Provides time for public education • Existing pesticide inventories must be dealt with, which requires time to utilize stock and/or arrange safe collection and disposal.

Level playing field

• The draft regulations allow the retail sale of otherwise banned pesticides labeled for lawn and garden insect control, while banning professional access to similar commercial products.

• Class 7 (Restricted Domestic Class) contains several pesticides including, to name a few: • Ortho Grub-B-Gone Max Grub Eliminator Ready-To-Spray (PCP # 27206) containing carbaryl.

• Bug-B-Gone For Lawns, Trees, Gardens Ready-To-Spray (PCP # 27207) containing carbaryl.

• Ortho Bug-B-Gone Max Ant and Chinch Bug Eliminator Concentrate (PCP # 27208) containing carbaryl.

LO’s official call to action

That means we need the immediate, active involvement of everyone in the industry to counter this proposed policy — you, your employees, suppliers, family and colleagues. There are a number of simple steps you must take to preserve your business: 1. Call your local MPPs and either speak with them by phone or book a time to meet at the constituency office. Over emphasize the direct impact on your business and homeowners in your Member’s riding.

Approach both your home riding’s MPP, as well as the MPP where your business is located. Most MPP offices will take meetings if you do significant business in their riding – i.e. anywhere you have customers – but some insist on a local address.

You can find your MPP’s contact information at http://www.ontla.on.ca/ web/members/member_addresses. do?AddType=CONT&locale=en. If you do not know either name, go to the Postal Code lookup function at Elections Ontario at http://fyed.elections.on.ca/fyed/en/form_ page_en.jsp , then go back and plug the riding name into the member search list. If you have any difficulty, call Counsel Public

Affairs at 416-920-0716, ext. 223 (Marisa Lamont) or 224 (Katie Robb).

2. Encourage all of your employees (as well as family, friends, suppliers and clients you are willing to approach) to phone, write or e-mail their MPPs. Pass along the talking points but do not provide a form letter. To be effective, they should make the case in their own words.

3. Submit a written response to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry posting of the draft Regulations (New General Regulation under the Pesticides Act, 1990 to implement the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008). Your written responses must be submitted by midnight on December 21, 2008. The regulations and details on how to submit electronically or by mail are at www.ebr.go.on.ca. The Registry number to enter is 10-5080. Your submission can be as short or long as you want; the important point is to speak to the key issues and the problems with the proposed direction.

No one else will speak up on your behalf.

The industry must make our voices heard!

• S cotts Ecosense Insecticide Concentrate (PCP # 28404) containing pyrethrins. This is essentially the same as Trounce (PCP # 28680 and 28681) currently under Class 8.

• To suggest that retail sale of these products can resume, as the label allows use on other ‘non-cosmetic’ pests, is essentially instructing the Ontario public to disregard the Health Canada approved label instructions.

• I PM Accreditation (similar to what the draft Regulations outline for golf courses) and the operational requirements associated with it.

• Insect infestations must exceed threshold levels, as currently outlined

by Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, before the Class 9 pesticide can be considered for use.

2. Remove pyrethrins from the Class 9 banned list.

• Pyrethrins are currently exempt under all Ontario pesticide by-laws.

• Domestic pyrethrin products currently available provide the homeowner a do-it-yourself solution, specifically Trounce For Lawn (PCP # 28680 and 28681).

3. Remove products that are on Health Canada Reduced Risk list from the Class 9 banned list.

• Inclusion of Health Reduced Risk products on the Ontario banned list will be a road block to the future development and introduction of reduced risk products in Ontario.

Solutions

1. Provide regulations to allow the prescribed use, by licensed professionals, of two otherwise banned pesticides on the Class 9 list.

• Imidacloprid (for grub control) • Deltamethrin (for chinch bug and sod webworm control) This prescribed use would be conditional upon requirements as outlined in the Landscape Ontario document “Prescribed Use Compliance Criteria and Protocols” previously submitted to the Ministry of Environment. These conditions include:

•T his must provide clear criteria, and not an arbitrary decision framework.

This legislation must not hinder the development of low risk, alternative, products. As currently written, it will.

4. Allow for a phase-in of Section 17 of the Regulations (Class 9 banned list).

• Given that regulations will not be finalized until well into the New Year, a phase-in period is required to allow business to plan, price and market.

• Allowing a phase-in will prevent the needless environmental impact of pesticide waste disposal. The Health Canada amendment of pesticide labeling customarily involves a reasonable phase-in period to allow products with expired labels to be used accordingly. Municipal pesticide by-laws typically involve a phase-in period.

• The availability or development of alternative products requires a phasein period.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Zoomers, Xers, Yers and Boomers

By Robert Adams LO president

T

oday we divide generations by labels, such as Zoomers, Generation Xers, Boomers, Echo Boomers and Millennials, or more commonly known as Generation Y – “Gen Yers.”

What do we all have in common? Is it that we all want to succeed in life, to be happy and KrausAD_EN_5x7oV2 copy.pdf

17/09/08

prosperous?

Recently I attended a conference where one of the topics was Generation Y. As I call it, “A New Attitude.” And trust me, it is just that.

During the presentation, the whats and whys of this specific age group (19-27, born between 1978 and 1989) were revealed. It was explained that this is a generation with high expectations of self, and of their employers. They expect to have ongoing learning, immediate respect and

16:36:02

responsibility, deadlines with measurable results and rewards. This is a goal-driven generation.

Their methods of learning and communicating are vastly different from previous generations. In the past, information on how to do specific tasks was explained to us by our forefathers, or someone more experienced in the field, and highly respected. Gen Yers are much less likely to respond to the traditional command and control type of management.

Quote of the Month

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

— Charles Darwin

Gen Yers are forward thinkers. They not only ask “why,” but will push the envelope constantly and think outside the box. They listen, analyze and propose different methods. Some of these provide obvious advantages if put into action.

The Gen Y generation was raised in a mostly child-centered era. They were programmed and nurtured, and now expect to be recognized for their achievements. Employers must learn to appreciate their need for constant change, if we are to adapt a unified position for the future. We need to continue to work together.

In our ever-changing world, we have to look to our future. It is for this reason that we need to attract the Generation Y to our industry and to Landscape Ontario. We need to encourage, entice and listen to them, and hope they will still ask that inevitable question of us, “Why?” We need to develop a plan on how to recruit and retain these new thinkers, shakers and movers of tomorrow. I encourage you to send me your thoughts on this topic. I can be reached at robertadams@landscapeontario.com.

I would like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Please enjoy the holidays with your families and friends. Be safe and I look forward to seeing you at Congress 2009.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

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Robert Adams can be reached by e-mail at robertadams@landscapeontario.com HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Fight fear with positive action

By Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

I

f you are like me, you too are getting tired of the constant barrage of negative doomsday messaging in the media. Every day the headlines and broadcasters shout about the environmental crisis and economic meltdown. Even in so-called boom times, the media collect, magnify and exaggerate all the bad news in the world. As individuals, it is difficult to resist a feeling of helplessness, dread and Tony DiGiovanni fear. It reminds me of the line in the Bruce Cockburn song, Laughter: “A laugh for the newsprint nightmare, a world that never was.”

Fear masks reality. It prevents us from seeing clearly. It distracts us. It obstructs progress and clouds our judgement.

Recently Bob Adams, Tom Intven and I went to a conference that included industry members and association staff from all over

the U.S. Talk of the economy dominated conversations. All of us agreed that in turbulent and uncertain times, it is much more important to band together to encourage and help each other.

North American webinar On December 18, we are planning to collectively host a North American-wide webinar that is aimed at reducing fear. The content will encourage and be positive and nurturing. It will spread some good news about our green industry and help our members realize the importance of community and positive action. Jim Paluch of JP Horizons (one of the most positive people I know) has agreed to help us with the content (free of charge). We will also feature a number of inspirational, experienced and wise business owners, who have agreed to “tell their story” of how they thrived in spite of downward economic cycles.

Within one day of sending out the webinar idea, the following associations agreed to participate in what might become the largest (and most positive) webinar simulcast in the horticultural world: Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association, Pennsylvania Landscape and

Nursery Association, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, Ohio Landscape Association, Garden Centres of America, North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association, Associated Contractors of Colorado, Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, Michigan Green Industry Association, Arizona Nursery Association, Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association, Montana Nursery and Landscape Association, Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, PLANET, New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, Illinois Green Industry Association, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers, Montana Nursery and Landscape Association, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association.

Community, contribution and positive action can help allay the fears and remind us of the abundance we enjoy.

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached by e-mail at tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com

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Guaranteed foot t 5 pm to midnigh ngress Committee Hosted by the Co n Toronto Airport lto Doubletree by Hi llroom International Ba . required for entry Congress badge

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Keeping in style

By Denis Flanagan CLD Manager, public relations

A

s part of our continuing branding initiative, the goal is to form as many partnerships as possible to promote the LO name and our members.

An opportunity came up in October to become involved with the first annual Style at Home Show. It was really three shows in one, sponsored by the three magazines Style At Home, Canadian Gardening Denis Flanagan and Canadian Home & Country.

The target audience of this group of magazines is exactly the same demographic that our branding committee has identified: females 30 to 45 years of age with aboveaverage incomes.

So, it made a lot of sense to meet with Aldona Satterthwaite, the editor-in-chief of

Canadian Gardening, to discuss the possibilities of how we could help the show in return for an opportunity to promote LO at the inaugural event.

Shawn Gallaugher agreed to design a stage set in a garden. We loaned Shawn props and furniture that we had in storage for Canada Blooms, and he created a colourful fall-time garden with quality plant material that was supplied by Sheridan Nurseries.

Aldona put together a line-up of speakers with a wide range of topics. For just about all the presentations, there was standingroom only. At the beginning of each seminar, Landscape Ontario and Sheridan were recognized and thanked for their contributions.

I believe we met our marketing objective of achieving maximum exposure for minimum expenditure, a model we will pursue in the new year. I would be delighted to discuss any opportunities with our members across the province.

Denis Flanagan may be reached by e-mail at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com

Denis Flanagan answering a question from a visitor at the first annual Style at Home Show.

NEW MEMBERS Durham Chapter Bryson & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd. Steven Heltcher 541 Bayly Street East Ajax, ON L1Z 1W7 Tel: 800 661 5196 Membership Type: Associate Golden Horseshoe Chapter Agrium Advanced Technologies Ron De Kok 10 Craig Street Brantford, ON N3R 7J1 Tel: 519 770 3137 Membership Type: Associate Legends Landscape Supply Inc. Pat Szczucki 1150 Heritage Road Burlington, ON L7L 4X9 Tel: 905 336 3369 Membership Type: Associate Visual Impact Landscaping Inc. Fiona Edmonds 484 Plains Rd. East Burlington, ON L7T 2E0 Tel: 905 639 9452 Membership Type: Active

Toronto Chapter Dasilva Property Maintenance and Contracting Inc. Mario Dasilva 3930 Pondview Way Mississauga, ON L5N 8J8 Tel: 905 785 7311 Membership Type: Active Del (Diesel Equipment Ltd.) Bob Scott 139 Laird Drive Toronto, ON M4G 3V6 Tel: 416 953 4477 Membership Type: Associate Dynapac Justin Etherington 3 - 4170 Saldeview cres Mississauga, ON L5L 0A1 Tel: 905 607 1170 Membership Type: Associate Shawn Lambert Landscape Shawn Lambert 297 Banksia Court Newmarket, ON L3Y 5J1 Tel: 905 889 9209 Membership Type: Active Christel Bennett Brampton, ON Membership Type: Horticultural

10  HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

Laureen Woloszak Richmond Hill, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Upper Canada Chapter Surgenor Truck Centre Michael Gallant 261 Binnington Crt Kingston, ON K7M 9H2 Tel: 613 548 1100 Membership Type: Associate Waterloo Chapter Waterloo Flowers Limited Ron Miziolek 1001 Kramp Rd Breslau, ON N0B 2M0 Tel: 519 648 2065 Membership Type: Associate

For a detailed list of LO staff please visit www.horttrades.com/ contactus

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Make safety a priority in 2009!

By Sally Harvey CHT, CLP Education and Labour Development Department

T

he Safety Groups Program (SGP) is an innovative initiative the WSIB has implemented to help eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses in Ontario. This five-year program is voluntary, and rewards firms that implement effective health and safety programs and return-to-work measures.

Landscape Ontario’s Safety Group met six times at the Sally Harvey Milton head office in 2008 to discuss strategies to help each member company become compliant with the Ontario Health and Safety Act, as mandated by the Workers Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour.

These companies continue to be leaders in the industry, creating a safety culture, and simultaneously elevating the level of professionalism in our industry. Once again, this group achieved fantastic results. Both companies that were audited (10 per cent of Safety Group members are randomly audited each year, which contributes to the rebate score) received 100 per cent on their scores. This certainly boosted the group’s rebate cheques this year. I am pleased to announce that the Safety Group will receive over $60,000 in rebates, recognizing the success of this group and the reduction in lost time injuries. This is certainly cause for celebration.

We encourage every member to register for this opportunity. Companies are welcome to develop their safety program with the support of the Landscape Ontario Safety Group for a five year period, and with special permission may continue to attend afterward to remain up-to-date. Members are now registering for next year. Please go to www.horttrades.com/c?c=994 to complete the registration form and remit payment.

Please take note of the meeting dates in 2009.

We look forward to your attendance and participation.

How the group works At the beginning of each year, your firm

selects five safety elements that it will initiate or improve upon from the Safety Groups’ achievement list that is provided by the WSIB. Your firm will learn how to implement these initiatives by attending five meetings, sharing ideas and pooling resources. At the end of the year, your group can receive a rebate based on the entire group’s success in implementing the selected safety elements. In each subsequent year, firms are required to maintain their elements from the previous year and pick five new ones.

Landscape Ontario encourages five-plus safety group members to join our group again to receive the many new and improved policies to bring your present system into a compliance level once again. My company was involved in the safety group for many years, and after reviewing the documentation for this year, I quickly came to realize that our in-depth program in many cases is obsolete. WSIB has greatly improved the program, and thus this year, firms that have completed five years in the program previously will be eligible to rejoin in 2009 and complete the plus-five year program requirements. Please note that completed years do not include years a firm withdrew, was removed, failed, or changed account numbers.

The design of the plus-five year member program extension has been developed due to the expectation that there will be an accreditation program coming in the future. The design is aligned to the accreditation program and allows plus-five year member firms to prepare for accreditation while participating in safety groups in 2009.

The safety group’s program has had amazing results to date. I believe we are well positioned to take advantage of this recommendation to help the plus-five year member firms take their programs to the next level.

Another option for our members to guide them towards generating a safety program is to register for the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP). In 2009, WSIB will host this opportunity across the province. To view the SCIP site go to www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/Public/ SCIP. Many other benefits to program Although the rebates are a pleasant perk, they are not the only motive that brings these companies to the Safety Group table. There are

other opportunities, such as: to comply with regulations, to qualify for projects that require a safety program to manage risk intelligently, to develop a safer work place for all and to retain employees. Studies have shown that employees will remain with employers who want to ensure their safety. I speak first-hand, as our staff revealed this when we embarked on the journey. This was not an expectation initially, however, it is a wonderful bonus. As you progress to incorporate a safety culture into your business, the return on investment is measurable. Your company will realize cost savings through a reduction in injuries, which translates into lost time savings, as employees are productively on the job. I ask you, can you really afford not to develop and maintain a safety culture?

Please join us next year in Milton at the Safety Group, or at one of our regional SCIP programs.

Sally Harvey may be reached by email at sharvey@landscapeontario.com

A RCHITECTURALLY D ESIGNED

GARDEN BUILDINGS

GAZEBOS AND S HELTERS

Congress booth #147 Ô Tel.: (905) 563-8133 • Fax: (905) 563-7526 Visit us at: www.limestonetrail.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 11

Chapter News

Julie Moir Messervy Lecture

YHOME OUTSIDEZ Creating the Landscape You Love

Two well-known speakers to visit Ottawa

By Lynn Lane

Members of the Ottawa Chapter will have two great opportunities to hear dynamic leaders in their field. On February 18th, Leonard Lee of Lee Valley Tools fame will attend Ottawa’s GreenTrade Expo, while a few days later acclaimed landscape architect Julie Moir Messervy will speak to the Ottawa Chapter.

‘Growing Your Business’ is the keynote topic of the Chapter’s Profit Builder’s Lunch on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Lee will talk about how to use the same practical steps that took Lee Valley Tools from a home-based business to a retail and mail-order giant. For business owners and managers, this is an amazing opportunity to hear from a successful, experienced and respected industry leader. Attendees will be inspired by the story and walk away with practical tools to grow your own business.

The event be held at the Ottawa Civic Centre, beginning at 12 noon with lunch. Lee will speak from 12:30-1:30, including a question period. Price (lunch included) is $75 for LO members and $145 for potential members.

Register on-line at www.horttrades.com/ ottawaseminars. For more information call the Ottawa office at 613-796-5156.

Acclaimed landscape architect Julie Moir Messervy is coming to Ottawa to present both an evening lecture on February 25, 2009, and a morning industry workshop on February 26.

Leonard Lee

Julie Moir Messervy Photo Randy O’Rourke

The of Landscape OntarioOntario and The and Otta TheOttawa OttawaChapter Chapter of Landscape thought processes, sharinginvite her sixyou critical steps Botanical Garden Society to join award-winn Ottawa Botanical Garden invite to a to creating a home outside.Society Her ideas have you for author and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy award-winning author and landscape unique, hands-on, hour workshop which will desig focus encouraged a newthree generation of professionals on design details, construction techniques, andainvaluabl Julie Moir Messervy she presents lecture and homeowners to createasinspired gardens that tips for designers, builders as well as home gardeners. reflect an “home inward vision deeply rooted outdoor creating outside”.

She in will guide design Expanding upon the lecture she will present the night be archetypes, childhood imagination and aesthetic builders and home gardeners through a landsc Julie will delve into more detail on how to construct, fro impulses. the bottomthought up, a garden beautifullysharing suited to itssix site.crit Thi artist’s process, This lecture will be held Centrepointe presentation is a fundraiser for aatfuture Botanical Garden steps to creating gardens of beauty and harm Canada Theatrein Ottawa. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009,

while illustrating talk with pho at 7 p.m.

Discountedher tickets ($30) are glorious availWednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 7 upcomingable book, Outside”.

This Workshop to all“Home LO members until December 31presentatio atBen Franklin P Centrepointe Theatre, Centrepointe Ot a fundraiser for a future Botanical Garden ofby101 Canada Ottaw The workshop, entitled “Creating Home Outside: www.centrepointetheatre.com, using the inDrive, Lecture: from her

Member Tickets:

$30 if purchased before December 31st,

Techniques and Tips for Designers, Builders, and discount code word: PEONY. Price for non-mem$35 after January1st, 2009 (code word req Lecture: Wednesday, February 25th,through 2009LOator 7OB available Homeowners” is a three-hour, hands-on course bers and members after January 1 and is $35.

Ticket purchase: www.centrepointetheatre.c Ben Franklin Pl limited to 100 people. Inspired by her book due for Julie Centrepointe Moir Messervy isTheatre, perhaps best known Otta release early in 2009, HomeSpecial Outside,Industry the workshop for her collaboration 101 with Centrepointe cellist Yo-Yo MaDrive, in Thursday, February 26th, Workshop: 9 -12 is geared toward designers,Member landscape contractors the$30 designif of the Toronto Music Garden.

Shenoon, has followed Tickets: purchased before December 31st, by 20 The RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, and home gardeners eagerLocation: to create gardens with written or co-authored several books, including $35 after January1st, 2009 (code word requiO Tickets:on the six critiplus GST, LO whichor includes beauty and meaning. Elaborating Outside the Notand So Big House $150 with renowned available through OBG Register at: www.horttrades.com/ottawasemi cal steps to make “home outside,” will architect Sarah Susanka, Contemplative Gardens, TicketMesservy purchase: www.centrepointetheatre.co focus on design details, construction techniques The Inward Garden, and The Magic Land. Her Formore moreinformation: information visit www.ottawagarden.caororcall call613-747-06 613-747-06 For www.ottawagarden.ca and invaluable tips. This workshop runs from 9 design work and books have been featured in The a.m. to noon, followed by lunch. Tickets are $150, New York Times, The Boston Globe, Washington and include lunch. Purchase tickets online at Post, House & Garden, Country Living Gardener, www.horttrades.com/ottawaseminars.

Elle Decor, Vogue, Garden Design, Fine Gardening, and Landscape Architecture. Visit Lecture www.juliemoirmesservy.com In the lecture entitled, “Home Outside: Making This is a joint venture of the Ottawa Chapter the Most of the Land Around Your House,” of Landscape Ontario and the Ottawa Botanical Messervy will talk about composing gardens of Garden Society (OBGS). For more information beauty and meaning to create a “home outside” about this lecture or workshop, contact the OBGS the home. She will guide designers, builders at (613) 747-0600. Proceeds will be donated to and home gardeners through a landscape artist’s the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society.

12 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

keeping your chapter connected

Ottawa Chapter looking for visionary volunteers

By Lynn Lane

Since its inception in the 1970s, the Ottawa chapter has had a long history of success on many fronts. The reason? The chapter has had active, visionary board members who have planned well and moved relentlessly forward toward a single goal: to advance horticulture. Does this describe you?

The paths they have taken to reach this goal have been varied. They have worked in fun and friendship to advance horticulture: • By engaging the public (yearly public seminars, working with garden societies, speaking at garden clubs and special functions) • By giving back to the community (Day of Remembrance, Cancer Survivors’ Park, Ronald McDonald House) • By mentoring future business people (students from Algonquin College, Kemptville College, The Technical Learning Centre, Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School, Bell High School and job fairs) • By offering the Val Kirschner award yearly • By continually raising the bar on chapter offerings • By providing a local business forum to stimulate commerce (GreenTrade Expo) • By bringing in top-notch industry speakers to inspire owners, managers and employees • By embracing and promoting safety programs and certifications • By listening to the members’ requests on what kind of tools will help their businesses…and then working with the home office to deliver • By being good stewards of the chapter’s and association’s resources and assets • By being shrewd business people… visioning, planning and budgeting to make sure the chapter has the means to achieve the goal These things can only be achieved by committed people with their eyes on the same goal.

The Ottawa chapter, as do all chapters, needs people who can see the goal and are committed to moving towards it. If you can see the future and are excited about helping the industry get there, become involved in your local chapter or as a member of your local board. Your vision and enthusiasm are needed!

GreenTrade Expo: 16 years of boosting commerce in eastern Ontario In the early 1990s, the Ottawa chapter board was looking for a way to enhance green industry commerce in the Ottawa area. In an ambitious move, the members began a trade show that has today become GreenTrade Expo, Eastern Ontario’s Trade Show for the Horticulture Industry (held Wednesday, February 18, 2009).

The very first show was held in a hotel ballroom with local members setting up their pamphlets on table tops. In the fertile market of Ottawa, and with careful nurturing by the board, the show grew steadily. Today, GreenTrade Expo has grown to almost 100 exhibitors and takes up over 30,000 square feet at Ottawa’s main Civic Centre. Approximately 1,000 industry professionals (both LO members and non-members) now attend the show.

The GreenTrade Expo show committee has always aligned its priorities with those of the association and the chapter. To this end, the show now promotes human resource development and features educational sessions on business and technical competencies. The past two years have seen the introduction of the Profit Builders’ Speaker Series, which brings in a prominent business leader to deliver a keynote presentation.

This year’s topic, Growing Your Business, is being delivered by Leonard Lee, founder of Lee Valley Tools.

What has remained the same all these years, is that GreenTrade Expo is THE big day for industry people in eastern Ontario to get together and network. It is often said by attendees that they can spend hours walking through the exhibits, stopping every few feet to greet old

colleagues or meet new friends.

All members of the industry are invited to attend GreenTrade Expo on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

For more details visit www.greentrade.ca.

Members proudly displaying the LO logo This month the following members were observed proudly displaying the LO logo through advertisements, posted on their vehicles or on their website. Each month Horticulture Review will print the names of those members we see displaying the fact they are proud members of LO. Huron Shores Landscaping, Port Franks www.huronshoreslandscaping.ca Wright Landscape Services, Bloomingdale www.wright.on.ca Dave Emmons Plants, Ridgeville www.daveemmonsplants.com Boffo Landscaping, Maple www.boffolandscaping.com Sybran Property Maintenance, Barrie www.sybran.ca Rockcliffe Landscaping Design Centre and Nursery, Gloucester www.rockcliffelandscaping.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 13

Hillen Nursery Inc Botanical Name

Vines - 1, 2, 3 gal.

Akebia quinata ‘Silver Bells’ Ampelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ Aristolochia durior Campsis ‘Balboa Sunset’ Hydrangea anomala petiolaris Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ Lonicera X ‘Mandarin’’ Lonicera per. ‘Belgica Select’ Lonicera per. ‘Serotina’ Polygonum aubertii Parthenocissus quinq ‘Engelmannii Parthenocissus tri ‘Veitchii’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

8.00 8.00 6.00 11.00 11.00 6.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 6.00 6.00 6.00

13.50 13.50 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.20 11.20 5.00 11.00 5.20 11.20 5.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 9.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 9.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 6.00 13.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00

Evergreens - 1, 2, 3 gal.

Azalea ‘Golden Hi Lights’ Azalea ‘Orchid Hi Lights’ Buxus microphylla Buxus semp. ‘Green Mound’ Buxus semp. ‘Green Gem’ Buxus ‘Green Mountain’ Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ Buxus micr.’Faulkner’ Chamaecyparis pis ‘Filifera Aurea Chamaecyparis pis ‘Aurea Sungold’ Cotoneaster adpressus ‘Compactus’ Cotoneaster ‘Coral Beauty’ Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ Cotoneaster microphyllus Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ Euonymus fort.’Emerald Gaiety’ Euonymus fortunei ‘E.T.’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald n Gold Euonymus fortunei ‘Goldtip’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Sunrise’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Sarcoxie’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Surespot’ Euonymus fortunei ‘Vegetus’ Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ Juniperus media ‘Mint Julep’ Juniperus media ‘Pfitz.Compacta’ Juniperus procumbens nana Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ Juniperus conferta’Blue Pacific’ Juniperus hor ‘Blue Horizon’ Juniperus hor ‘Blue Prince’ Juniperus hor ‘Icee Blue’ Juniperus hor ‘Andorra Compact’ Juniperus hor ‘Torquoise Spreader Juniperus hor ‘Wiltonii’ Juniperus hor ‘Yukon Belle’ Juniperus hor ‘Youngstown’ Juniperus sabina Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’

Botanical Name

Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ Larix laricina Microbiota decussata Metasequoia glyptostroboides Myrica pensylvanica Picea abies Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Picea glauca Picea glauca ‘Conica’ Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ Picea glauca ‘Densata’ Picea omorika Picea pungens kiabob Pieris jap ‘Mountain Fire’ Pinus mugo mughes Rhododendron ‘Northern Starburst’ Rhododendron Aglo(PJM) Thuja occidentalis Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’ Tsuga canadensis Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’ Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ Taxus cuspidata nana Taxus media ‘Densiformis’ Taxus media ‘Hicksii’ Taxus media ‘Hillii’ Taxus media ‘Wardii’ Yucca filamentosa Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 11.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 11.00 7.00 11.00 13.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 7.00 11.00 13.50 13.50 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 5.00 11.00

Deciduous Shrubs - 1, 2, 3 gal Acanthopanax sieboldianus Acer campestre Acer ginnala Alnus rugosa Amelanchier laevis Aronia melanocarpa Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic” Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ Buddleja davidii ‘Ile de France’ Buddleja davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ Buddleja davidii ‘Pink Delight’ Buddleja davidii ‘Petite Plum’ Buddleja davidii ‘Purple Prince’ Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’

14 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

8.00

Botanical Name

Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion Berberis thunbergi’Rose Glow’ Betula papyrifera Caryopteris cland. ‘Dark Knight’ Cephalanthus occidentalis Cercis canadensis Cercidiphyllum japonicum Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ Chaenomeles superba’Texas Scarlet Clethra alnifolia ‘Paniculatum’ Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’ Cornus alternifolia Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ Cornus alba ‘Ivory Halo’ Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ Cornus amomum Cornus kousa chinensis Cornus racemosa Cornus stolonifera (sericea) Cornus stolonifera ‘Bud’s Yellow’ Cornus stolonifera ‘Kelseyi’ Corylus avelana Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’ Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ Cotoneaster acutifolius Cotoneaster horizontalis Diervilla lonicera Deutzia crenata ‘Nikko’ Deutzia gracilis Deutzia x ‘Strawberry Field’ Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Forsythia X int. ‘Goldtide’ Forsythia int.’Lynwood’ Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’ Forsythia ‘Kumson’ Forsythia ovata ‘Ottawa’ Hibiscus syr.’White Chiffon’ Hydrangea arbor. ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea macroph.’Forever Pink Hydrangea macroph.’Nikko Blue’ Hydrangea’Endless Summer Blushing Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ Hydrangea macroph.’Glowing Embers Hydrangea macroph.’Merritt’s Beau Hydrangea macr’Princess Beatrix’ Hydrangea macroph.’Penny Mac’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Little Lamb’ Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ Hydrangea pan.’Pinky Winky’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Tardiva’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Little Geisha’ Hamamelis virginiana Ilex verticilata

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price 7.00 6.00 9.50 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.45 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 16.00 17.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 8.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.60 7.00 7.00 7.00 14.00 14.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.30 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.60 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.00 7.00

8.00 8.00

8.00

9.00

8.00

c.

Botanical Name

Many More Cultivars and sizes available

Ilex vert.’Afterglow’F Ilex vert.’Winterred’F Ilex vert.’Southern Gentleman’M Kolkwitzia amab ‘Pink Cloud’ Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ Lonicera tatarica ‘Arnold Red’ Lonicera xylost.’Clavey’s Dwarf’ Lonicera xylost.’Emerald Mound’ Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ Philadelphus ‘Natchez’ Philadelphus schrenkii ‘Snowbelle Philadelphus ‘Minn.Snowflake Dwar Physocarpus opulifolius Physocarpus opulifolius’Coppertin Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ Physocarpus opulifolius’Dart’sGol Physocarpos opulifolius ‘Luteus’ Physocarpus opulifolius’Summer Wi Populus tremuloides Prunus cistena Prunus virginiana Potentilla frut ‘Abbotswood’ Potentilla frut ‘Cor.Triumph’ Potentilla frut ‘Dakota Sunrise’ Potentilla ferrari ‘Gold Drop’ Potentilla frut ‘Goldstar’ Potentilla frut ‘Pink Beauty’ Potentilla frut ‘Tangerine’ Quercus bicolor Quercus robus ‘Fastigiata’ Quercus rubra Ribes alpinum Ribes aureum Rosa Bonica Rosa Carolina Rosa Henry Kelsey Rosa X ‘J P Connell’(ex) Rosa ‘Pavement Scarlet’ Rosa rugosa Rosa rugosa ‘Hansa’ Rosa x ‘Champlain’ Rosa X ‘The Fairy’ Rubus odoratus Rhus aromatica Rhus aromatica ‘Low Grow’ Rhus typhina Salix bebbiana Salix discolor Salix eriocephala Salix exigua Salix gracilis ‘Purpurea Nana’ Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nashiki’ Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ Salix nigra

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

5.00

5.00

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 11.00 11.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.85 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.85 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.50 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

8.60

8.00

Botanical Name

Sambucus canadensis Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancoc Spiraea alba Spiraea arguta Spiraea bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Crispa’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Froebelii’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ Spiraea fritschiana Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina’ Spiraea japonica ‘Dakota Goldchar Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’ Spiraea japonica ‘Goldmound’ Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ Spiraea japonica ‘Manon’ Spiraea japonica ‘Neon Flash’ Spiraea japonica ‘Shirobana’ Spiraea japonica ‘White Gold’ Spirea tomentosa Spiraea vanhouttei Sorbaria aitchisonii Sorbaria sorbifolia Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ Syringa hyac. ‘Pocahontas’ Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ Syringa vulgaris Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Mosco Syringa vulgaris ‘Monge’ Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ Tilia cordata Tamarix pentandra Viburnum dent.’Chicago Lustre’ Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ Viburnum lantana Viburnum lentago Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ Viburnum recognitum/dentatum Viburnum trilobum ‘Bailey Compact Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’ Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ Weigela ‘Elvira’ Weigela florida ‘French Lace’ Weigela florida ‘Minuet’ Weigela florida ‘Purpurea Nana’ Weigela florida ‘Rumba’ Weigela florida ‘Victoria’ Weigela florida ‘Nana Variegata’ Weigela ‘Red Prince’ Weigela ‘Polka’ Weigela ‘Tango’

1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price

5.00

5.00

7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.60 7.60 7.60 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

8.00

8.00 8.00

Botanical Name

Evergreens - 5 gal.

5 gal price

Chamaecyparis nootk ‘Green Arrow’ Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ Juniperus scop. ‘Blue Haven’ Larix laricina Metasequoia glyptostroboides Metasequoia glyp. ‘Goldrush’ Picea abies ‘Acrocona’ Picea glauca ‘Conica’ Pinus mugo mugo Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Tsuga canadensis

Acer palmatum’Bloodgood’ Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’ Acer rubrum Cercis canadensis Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Compacta’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ Magnolia ‘Susan’ Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ Populus tremuloides Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Flaming Mound’ Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ Syringa prestoniae ‘Donald Wyman’ Syringa pres’James Macfarlane Tilia cordata Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’

36.00 36.00 19.00 16.00 17.00 25.00 40.00 35.00 28.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 33.00

51.00 51.00 51.00 25.00 19.00 18.00 35.00 21.70 17.00 17.00 17.00 17.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 16.00 25.00 13.00 13.00 16.00 16.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 16.00

Deciduous Shrubs - 5 gal.

8.00

8.00 8.00 8.00

Botanical Name

Evergreens - 15 gal.

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ Metasequoia glyptostroboides Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’

15 gal price

49.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 15

Annual Report

2008

President’s Message What a year it’s been

Robert Adams Educate and celebrate were my theme words this year. Where has the time gone? Already a year has passed. But what a year it has been. Presidents before me have stated that it was an honour and privilege to serve. What an understatement.

Perhaps we can add the word “humbling.”

This year I had the great honour of representing our members at a meeting with the Ambassador of Thailand. It was an evening that I will not soon forget.

The events that have been orchestrated and hosted by our chapters continue to amaze me.

Windsor’s Winter Blooms, Georgian Lakelands building a house in three days for Gilda’s Club and the recently completed Rachel’s Garden (Toronto Chapter) are just some examples of what has been accomplished. Yes, we do have a lot to celebrate and to be proud of. Every chapter of Landscape Ontario has good reason to display extreme pride for what they have achieved this past year. And we

are just getting warmed up.

Our Prosperity Partners initiative is entering the second year of its mentoring program. Sharing knowledge is the basis of what LO is all about.

Whether we learn how to run a successful landscape company, or if we help a newcomer step over “the curb,” it is all part of what we do on a regular basis.

Green for Life is the latest undertaking for LO. The slogan landscapeontario.com/Green for Life says so much. When you stop and think about it, the slogan actually says it all. We are hoping that all of our members will display the image on their trucks, equipment and advertising.

With over 2,200 members province-wide, and who knows how many trucks, cars and pieces of equipment at our disposal, imagine the impact that our industry will have on the buying public: www.landscapeontario.com/greenforlife.

As for my theme words: Educate — Yes, because we can always learn something new; Celebrate — Definitely, because we as an industry have so much of which to be proud.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped Landscape Ontario be recognized everywhere as a leader in the horticultural world.

And thank you for the honour of being your president. It means more than words can express.

Respectfully submitted, Robert Adams President 2008-2009

Landscape Ontario 2007/2008 Board of Directors PROVINCIAL BOARD: President: Robert Adams Past President: Bob Tubby CLP 1st Vice-President: Tom Intven 2nd Vice-President: Tim Kearney CLP Treasurer: Phil Charal Members at Large: Gregg Salivan, Jacki Hart CLP

CHAPTER BOARD REPRESENTATIVES: Durham: Mark Humphries Georgian Lakelands: Terry Kowalski Golden Horseshoe: Walter Hasselman London: Michael Pascoe CHT Ottawa: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT Toronto: George Urvari Upper Canada: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP Waterloo: John Keenan Windsor: Garry Moore

COMMODITY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES: Designers: Beth Edney CLD Garden Centres: Bob McCannell Grounds Maintenance: Brian Marsh Growers: Dave Braun, Bart Brusse Interiorscape: Stephen Schell CHT Irrigation: Steve Macartney CIT Landscape Contractors: Bruce Warren Lawn Care: Alan White Lighting: John Scanlon Snow and Ice: Gerald Boot CLP

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

17

Treasurer’s Report This year saw strong financial stability

Tim Kearney

Phil Charal

Landscape Ontario marked another year of strong financial stability. Even with increased member activity (the association now boasts over 245 events and programs), we still enjoyed a surplus of $283,000.

Membership dues and Congress exceeded expectations. This fuelled extra spending in education and membership services. Garden Expo met its budget and Horticulture Review experienced a modest loss.

Once each year the surplus is allocated to

various funds. This year we put $131,469 in the Horticultural Centre Improvement Fund, $131,469 in the Horticultural Industry Development Fund and $20,000 in the promotion fund (See the audited financial statement at the end of this report for the full details).

Your association has always had a responsible and conservative attitude towards your money.

The funds are utilized to support programs that reflect the priorities of the association. We only spend on extra activities, only if we have the

money in the bank.

This year we spent almost $100,000 (out of the Industry Development Fund) on two major priorities: the Prosperity Partners program and branding Landscape Ontario to the public.

The Prosperity Partners program was identified as one of the best ways to help members improve their businesses. Branding Landscape Ontario to the public was also deemed an important initiative. In times of economic downturn, it becomes much more important for the industry to collectively “tell our story” of how we benefit the public. It is also a time to promote the members as trusted professionals.

The association is blessed with incredible members and competent staff who continue to work hard to build a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and trusted industry.

We are also blessed with financial stability, because of the prudent and conservative policies we have had in place for many years.

Respectfully submitted, Tim Kearney CLP and Phil Charal Treasurers 2007-2008

Executive Director’s Report LO will flourish because of engaged members collective, and through unified and focused action.

It will continue to flourish as long as it remains a community for mutual benefit and improvement, determined to build a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and trusted industry.

This annual report provides a brief glimpse and record of our collective accomplishments. It is impressive to read. The report also gives us the opportunity to review and evaluate the organization, while also serving as our foundation for future plans and progress.

Tony DiGiovanni Landscape Ontario is one of the largest, most vibrant, active, responsive and successful horticultural associations in the world. It’s because we are blessed with amazing engaged members who continue to contribute their ideas, resources, direction, energy, support and goodwill.

Your association thrives by a planned positive

Three main priorities At the beginning of the year, we set three main priorities. Our activities were focused on developing programs and activities that would: 1. Help you become better at your business 2. Educate the public about the benefit and value of our industry and using professional members to access horticultural services and products

3. Make Landscape Ontario relevant to each member right in his own community

Priority 1 – Focus on business, skills and labour Prosperity Partnership program The Prosperity Partners program has evolved, as the concept resonates very well with the members.

In two words, “Prosperity Partners” describes a program, theme, mission statement, principle and ethic. We want members to view Landscape Ontario and CNLA as trusted partners in their journey towards success and prosperity.

Five critical competencies are necessary for success and prosperity. These include leadership, sales, financial management, operational excellence and customer relationships.

Continued on next page

18

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

Executive Director’s Report Continued from previous page The Prosperity Partner Program aims to mobilize, align, focus and integrate our infrastructure, membership, programs, services and departments in order to deliver education and support by using the five competencies as a guide to create a culture of abundance, inter-dependence and mutual benefit.

We will be forming a Landscape Prosperity Institute to deliver and improve on the scheme.

This is a work-in-progress and will evolve over a number of years. In many ways Prosperity Partners describes what all of the associations have been promoting since their formation. The program (below is a schematic of the program)

aims to facilitate and accelerate results. Here is a schematic of the program.

Progress to date: • Delivered the introductory seminar to over 100 candidates with excellent feedback • Developed and delivered a Best Practices seminar • Developed and delivered a Mentor seminar • We are encouraging suppliers to become Prosperity Partners, and to focus on helping their customers succeed • We have signed up two supplier sponsors Supplier Partnerships

(John Deere and Permacon) • We are training others to deliver the two initial seminars • We have integrated the program’s five core competencies into all magazine articles to reinforce the concepts • We delivered CLP training as part of the Prosperity Partner program Special note: The Prosperity Partners program has been developed under the guidance of the Prosperity Committee. This group, chaired by Bob Tubby CLP, includes Gerald Boot CLP, Hank Gelderman CHT, Bill Deluca, Kevin Ford, Bob Wilton, Sally Harvey CHT, CLP and Jacki Hart CLP, who has done an amazing job at coordinating and delivering the program.

Labour capacity development Continued implementation of Labour Task Force Plan, which includes: high school career promotion, apprenticeship promotion, partnership with Skills Canada, youth chapter development, high school co-op programs, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, high school curriculum, high school major in landscaping, scholarship availability to high school graduates, etc., and investigation of guest worker programs (FARMS).

• We worked on human resource retention strategies through promoting models that allow for full-time employment. We continue to promote income averaging programs as one important solution.

• We focused on apprenticeship promotion and employee training as the best way to retain and improve labour capacity, satisfaction and retention.

Downloadable Forms and Templates

Working on Your Business Workshop Prosperity Help Lines

Certified Landscape Professional Program Mentorship Program

Prosperity Candidate

Consulting/Coaching Program

ProsperityInstitute.ca Web Site Resource

Chapter Level Seminars Congress Seminars Winter Workshops Prosperity Symposium

Best Practices Workshop

Home Office Integration

Industry Publications and Reference Library

• We promoted unity of purpose among all horticultural educators.

• We continue to work on methods to integrate and accelerate all skills training processes, incorporating high school, college, university and especially industry training certification and apprenticeship models.

• We have made excellent progress to encourage the development of a common high school curriculum for horticulture.

• We have made incredible progress, together with our CNLA partners, to make horticulture a Red Seal occupation. This designation will unify curricula across Canada, raise the stature and image of horticulture and stimulate continued growth. It was achieved in record time because of unity of purpose across all provinces.

• Delivered seven certification tests across Ontario, including Niagara and Ottawa. This is more than any other association in North America. The U.S.-based coordinator of the program describes Landscape Ontario as an over-achiever.

Special note: Terry Murphy has been the main architect of much of our human resource development program.

Terry retired (slowed down a little) this year after many years of exemplary service. He is one of the most productive and results-driven individuals I have ever met. He deserves special thanks for accelerating our human resource activity. He has been replaced by another high energy and resultsdriven individual. Sally Harvey (a former board member) has joined our staff as manager of the training and education team.

Priority 2 – Focus on Branding LO to public Branding has emerged as our second most important activity. In times of economic uncertainty, public promotion is even more important in educating the people on the environmental, economic, therapeutic, aesthetic, tourism, lifestyle, recreational and even spiritual benefits of our industry, as well as helping them to choose a professional service and product provider.

In order to do this, we hired a professional marketing company to help us develop a program that will: • Use the members’ points of contact to communicate the benefits of our industry • Promote the members as green environmentally sensitive professionals • Supply the public with a credible source of garden related information

MBERS’ LOGO

• Help the public source, rate and choose credible landscape professionals The company has developed the logo and tag line and designed a public website. The new public site will be available by spring.

Here are the variations of the tag line and icon:

MBERS’ LOGO

MBERS’ LOGO

MBERS’ LOGO MBERS’ LOGO

CONSUMERS’ MBERS’ LOGO entres, Website rint/Media, etc.)

CONSUMERS’ MBERS’ LOGO CONSUMERS’ entres, Website MBERS’ LOGO rint/Media, etc.) entres, Website rint/Media, etc.)

CONSUMERS’ CONSUMERS’ MBERS’ LOGO MBERS’ LOGO entres, Website entres, Website rint/Media, etc.) rint/Media, etc.)

CIATION LOGO

CIATION LOGO

CIATION LOGO

CIATION LOGO CIATION LOGO

19

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

This program will only work if the members use it. It was designed as a co-brand. Collectively we enjoy points of public contact that rival any multi-national advertising campaign. It is exciting to connect and unify the entire industry through the common message.

Special note: This ambitious program has been developed with the guidance and direction of the Branding Committee. This group, chaired by Bob McCannell, includes Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, Tim Kearney CLP, Alan White, Phil Dickie, Dave Emmons, Jim McCracken, Mark Ostrowski, Diana Cassidy-Bush CLP and Steve Macartney CIT, CHT. Staff members include Robert Ellidge, Denis Flanagan and Lee Ann Knudsen.

Focus on environmental stewardship The horticulture industry is the original and true green industry. Many of us lament the fact that the term “green” has been hijacked by just about every other industry. We need to bring the real green back into green messaging. Our environ-

mental stewardship committee, chaired by Nathan Helder, includes Susan Antler, Scott Terrio, Len Hordyk, Anthony Kampen, John Lamberink CIT, Chris Le Conte, Bob McCannell, Ted Spearing, Art Vanden Enden CHT, James Solecki, Thom Bourne CIT, Phil Bull, Bob McCannell, Keith Osborne, Tom Intven and Alan White. With the assistance of Sarah Willis, Julia Ricottone (CNLA) and Lydia Couture-Comtois (CNLA), the committee is charged with developing ways to “green the green industry.” They have been busy developing an environmental scorecard that will help members focus on practices that are earth-friendly. The scorecard will be used as an awareness, education and training tool. Once this is complete, we will let the public know what we are doing as environmental stewards.

Pot and plastic recycling program Under the guidance of the Garden Centre Group and Environment Committee, the association is working on a province-wide scheme to collect and recycle plastic. This activity was spearheaded by Congress staffer Lorraine Pigeon-Ivanoff, who took the initiative to develop a pilot project that provided a good understanding of how to proceed.

We are currently working with suppliers to develop a network of depots and recycling centres. The idea is that the public will return their plastic to the depot (any garden centre or supplier) that in turn will deliver the material to a recycling centre, where the plastic would be sorted and compacted.

From there, it goes back to the plastic plant to be re-made into finished product. This is another project where we are aligning with CNLA, our national association. For more information on this initiative, contact Denis Flanagan or Sarah Willis.

Other public promotions and relations Here is how we promoted Landscape Ontario to the public last year: • HGTV Link with Denis Flanagan. He is a wellknow garden communicator and is frequently on television promoting horticulture and LO. We have restructured our office to give Denis more time to promote LO to the public.

• Global TV weekly spot by Denis Flanagan.

• Partnered with Canada Blooms and Vineland to build a garden at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

• Canada Blooms is our main public event. Our logo is featured prominently on all advertising.

There are millions of public impressions achieved through this venue.

• Garden Inspiration magazine produces 50,000 copies for distribution through Canada Blooms and garden centres. The themes of the magazine are new plant introductions and our

awards program. It also includes a member directory.

• Thousands of how-to sheets are distributed through garden centres.

• The consumer website, landscapeontario.com, continues to increase in popularity. Here are the statistics for this year.

Monthly History (January to October 2008).

Month

Unique Visitors

Number of visits

Pages

Hits

Jan. 08

12639

18146

58706

249223

Feb. 08

11349

15166

43037

230784

Mar. 08

15232

20264

60029

316071

Apr. 08

26441

34296

90564

562120

May 08

29348

37730

98481

564593

June 08

22165

27684

70797

364516

July 08

16005

20527

52848

294619

Aug. 08

12071

15466

41711

224051

Sept. 08

11679

15845

48782

222912

Oct. 08

10451

14259

41166

189890

Nov. 08

2734

3451

8697

41419

Total

170114

222834

614818

3260198

These statistics will give us a great benchmark to compare our “Green for Life” campaign.

Here is a comparison of activity from 2007. Even though there are monthly fluctuations, we are trending upwards year to year.

Month

Unique Visitors

Number of visits

Hits

Jan. 07

11517

15986

224839

Feb. 07

10814

14706

219429

Mar. 07

17083

22629

358498

Apr. 07

19715

25755

454575

May 07

24712

32151

551050

June 07

16612

21023

333787

July 07

14607

18231

285944

Aug. 07

13218

16888

262247

Sept. 07

12948

16929

236841

Oct. 07

13101

17883

218390

Total

154327

202181

3145600

Please note, I left out November and December numbers because of the timing of this report in early November.

• Support for Toronto Botanical Gardens. A total of $200,000 was raised for the entrance garden. Another $100,000 has been pledged by our Toronto chapter.

• Support of Communities in Bloom, national and Ontario

Continued on next page

20

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

Executive Director’s Report Continued from previous page • Project Evergreen involvement. We continue to be involved in this exciting project, which will eventually unite all industry stewardship projects under one banner.

• Cision’s and Google News Tracking: we track all instances when Landscape Ontario is mentioned in the news. We are mentioned frequently, resulting in millions of impressions.

• IPM public education campaign • Windsor chapter developed a very successful Winter Blooms public show, with proceeds going to the Hospice of Windsor, as well as the St. Clair College Foundation • Ottawa chapter supported the Paradise Found lecture series, as well as landscaping at Ronald McDonald House • Ottawa also participated in the development of Canada’s second Cancer Survivors Park • Toronto Chapter hosted a successful Paradise Found public lecture attracting 900 people • At the time of this writing, Toronto is hosting an evening with David Suzuki. They are hoping for 1,000 people.

• Toronto also participated in building Rachel’s Garden. This Make a Wish Foundation project was spearheaded by Beth Edney and had wonderful support from members in her chapter and CNLA. • Sharon Urquhart, Tim Kearney and Ottawa chapter organized the third annual day of tribute at the National Military Cemetery.

• Georgian Lakelands chapter supported a lake regeneration project called Kidd’s Creek.

They transformed an old parking lot into a wonderful public garden. The chapter also got together to landscape a home that was sold, with proceeds going to build Gilda’s House, a place for cancer survivors and their families to heal.

• Durham chapter teamed up with the CNLA and Make a Wish Foundation and to help to build Hayden’s Garden.

• London Chapter was involved in the building of Alex’s Butterfly Garden at the children’s hospital.

• Toronto chapter donated time and materials to help complete the Toronto Botanical Gardens.

• The Golden Horseshoe Chapter participated in a community planting event with St. Columba School in Hamilton.

• The Waterloo Chapter continued its partnership with Evergreen Foundation and landscaped École Mère-ÉlisabethBruyère. The chair of the project, Theresa Fitzgerald, thanked the team for the “amazing

Canada Blooms, 2008.

transformation brought to our schoolyard.”

Special note: There is no better way to brand the industry and members to the public than using our contribution ethic and horticultural skills to participate in community projects that improve the quality of life. The chapters’ community events reflect the best of the industry and make all of Landscape Ontario proud. We have started a Google site to archive the wonderful local community activities. Please see: http://sites.google.com/a/landscapeontario.com/landscapeontario-in-public/

Priority 3 – Local relevance Local relevance is an important priority for Landscape Ontario. We have developed and are presently executing a chapter renewal plan aimed at engaging members in their local communities.

This activity is headed by the membership committee chaired by Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP and includes Mark Humphries, John Keenan, Tim Kearney CLP and Joe Salemi. The committee hosted a number of facilitated governance sessions that is already improving the communications between chapters and commodity groups.

In addition to the focus on the three main priorities, we continue to work on many events and projects and deal with hundreds of ongoing issues.

Industry sector issues Following is a brief overview of the issues facing the specific sectors:

Landscape contractors Landscape contractors’ issues relate to improving business management, especially in the area of financial systems. Labour remains a concern, as does the proliferation of permit requirements. We continued to encourage members to “know their costs” as the basis for becoming prosperous. We are currently looking at a number of pilot projects and researching some labour brokers.

Lawn care The pesticides issue continues to dominate the lawn care agenda. The province passed legislation banning pesticides, except for golf, forestry and agriculture. As of this writing, the draft regulations have just come out. They will force enormous changes in the lawn care sector, as most of the traditional pest control tools are banned. Some industry members have been preparing for this by focusing on alternative weed control products such as Sarritor. Others have changed their business models based on cultural practices with hand weeding and increased organic fertilizers as part of the mix. There is a great deal of concern about future viability. Our role is to assist in the transition. Our members are survivors.

Garden centre The group is focused on the branding initiative as well as environmental stewardship.

The group initiated a pilot project on plastics recycling.

Nursery A huge amount of work has been done to mitigate business risks associated with intro-

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 duced regulated pests. We received a grant to hire a new nursery specialist to assist the growers with production, extension, research and business development. The group has also supported a project that uses online tools to help growers identify pests. They are involved in encouraging the new Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. We are talking with the Ministry of Transportation on a number of demonstration projects that will be used to determine success of highway plantings. We are also seeding the idea of creating a Centre for Highway Greening at Vineland. The group is experiencing widespread concern about the economy for 2009. A downturn will mean high inventory, which will put downward pressure on prices. We will need to focus on stimulating demand. The Green for Life program will help.

Grounds management Improvement of business and environmental practices drives the agenda of the Grounds Management Group.

The annual trial gardens organized by the group were a huge success and attracted hundreds of members and media representatives to an open house. The size of the gardens has doubled.

This project is a partnership with the University of Guelph. John Hewson, Rodger Tschanz and Robert Ellidge deserve special recognition for their efforts building the garden.

Lighting Our newest commodity group continues to be involved in a government relations campaign aimed at preserving the right to install low voltage lighting. We are working with the Electrical Safety Authority to develop standards and certifications for the lighting sector.

Interiorscape This busy group is involved in a number of educational events, symposia and mini-trade shows. They have also been active promoting the environmental and health value of green plants at work.

Landscape designers The designers’ main activity is centred on professional development. They continue to host a very popular design symposium in conjunction with Congress. The design-focused newsletter, produced four times per year, is an excellent communication and promotional vehicle.

Snow and ice management

Education and professional development are the primary focus points of the Snow and Ice group. The symposium sold out for the second year in a row. The special July snow issue of Landscape Trades continues to experience great success. We are working in partnership with the Snow and Ice Management Association in the U.S. The group has endorsed the Region of Waterloo’s Smart about Salt program and has been given the authority to spread the program across Ontario and Canada. The program will elevate professionalism and stewardship in the snow services sector. LO is working with the region and the Building Owners and Managers Association to promote the program.

Irrigation Irrigation is often seen as wasting water. The group is focused on changing this image through education. Members also experienced a significant challenge this year, because of record rainfalls.

Government relations Government issues always affect the industry in positive and negative ways. We are involved in many levels and with many issues. This summary builds on the issues described in last year’s annual report.

Ministry of Environment • Pesticide issue.

• Mandatory IPM accreditation at the provincial level and at the municipal bylaw level. The government is now looking at this for golf.

• Promotion of a public information and relations campaign to promote responsible gardening.

• Nutrient Management Act and Source Water Protection.

• Encouragement for fast tracking the approval of low-risk pest control products such as Sarritor.

• Availability and quality of water.

• Green roof promotion.

Agriculture and Agrifood Canada • Crisis and risk management for growers.

• Invasive species threat.

• Working with CNLA on the Nursery Certification Institute to mitigate the risk and facilitate trace-forward activity in the event of an infestation of an exotic pest.

• Risk assessment project so that private insurance options may be explored.

• CORD and AAFC funding (Jamie Aalbers’ research into pond water quality improvement

21

through the use of ozone and chlorination, risk management, tar spot research).

• We have been successful at receiving support from the Ontario Research and Development Program.

Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Act: Worked with the government to include the agriculture sector within the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Labour Relations Act: Supported the government in a legal challenge to the special agriculture provisions in the LRA. Labour Standards Act: Experienced moderate success in broadening the definition of Landscape Gardener in the LSA. Canadian Food Inspection Agency • Plant protection issues Municipalities • Our activities respond to municipal pesticide bans, zoning and permit issues. This year we added underground utility locates to the issues that must be dealt with.

Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs • Support through extension services • Safety Net Program inclusion • Inclusion within the agricultural umbrella • Commodity Council • LICC (Labour Issues Coordinating Council) Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities • Apprenticeship development • OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) • Industry development planning work • Red Seal designation. We were successful at this important initiative.

Ministry of Education • Develop a common horticulture curriculum for high schools — Great progress on this issue.

• The pilot high-skills major program provides high school graduates with the opportunity to graduate with a major in landscaping. It worked so well that it is now expanding to 10 other high schools.

WSIB • Safety training • Audits

Continued on next page

22

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

Executive Director’s Report Continued from previous page Special note: There are two government relations activities that are long term, but could produce enormous benefits for the future: 1. We are trying to convince the federal government to allocate the GST collected on plant material to a national planting program aimed at reducing energy consumption.

If successful, this Landscaping for Energy Efficiency initiative will provide huge public and industry benefit. It will also encourage the horticultural sector of agriculture. Currently all other agricultural crops are exempt from GST. We believe plant material, the largest farm gate crop in Ontario (one billion dollars in farm-gate value), should be treated similarly to other crops.

2.We are trying to convince the Ministry of Transportation to Green our Highways. We are working with Vineland and the ministry to develop a number of research and demonstration projects that we hope will stimulate this activity. We are also promoting Living Walls as a possible replacement for the present sound barriers and visual screens along major highways.

Emerging issue: The government is currently investigating mandatory WSIB coverage for business owners, even though many are covered by private insurance. We will need to ramp-up on this.

Other comments and highlights Legacy Room This was the third year that we honoured our pioneers by hosting a legacy lounge at Congress, where our founders can come to socialize, reminisce and contribute ideas for the future Legacy website project Chris Andrews interviewed over 40 pioneers.

The interviews are captured on a digital recorder. They will eventually form the content for a legacy website that will display the life stories of our pioneers in perpetuity.

Websites Our trade website is completely revamped and now much easier to navigate. Please go to horttrades.com to see for yourself. It is

interesting to view the statistics. The website is an ever-popular medium to communicate with the industry. It is a content-rich, everchanging environment that acts as a repository for relevant member information.

Month

Unique Visitors

Number of visits

Pages

Hits

Jan. 08

9311

16677

155162

354709

Feb. 08

7319

12871

128290

277263

Mar. 08

8245

14242

108415

263175

Apr. 08

8920

13891

82751

218181

May 08

8677

13009

59998

173667

June 08

8924

13266

55498

156421

July 08

7247

11633

45494

146153

Aug. 08

6037

10124

55889

149769

Sept. 08

4329

7227

44074

125825

Total

69009

112940

735571

1865163

Since we have so much content, we maintain a number of other websites so that members can access the information they need without having to go through the main site. Here is the list of domain names we keep: loawards.com, locongress.com, gardenexpo.ca, landscapetrades.com, hortcareers.com.

Two chapters also maintain websites. loottawachapter.com and lolondon.ca/main/ are now online. The idea is that these sites will improve the local relevancy of LO. CNLA The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association represents our federal interests, but most importantly it provides us the structure to align our common agendas and plans across Canada. CNLA gives us the opportunity to expand our team, community and results in the common work at business competency development, labour issues, education/training/certification, apprenticeships, national government relations work, especially labour and risk management, green industry promotion and long term business development.

Landscape Ontario office The staff mission statement is: “To support our members and implement their vision of a respected and valued green industry.”

After a challenging start of the year with three pregnancy leaves, two retirements, four career changes and two staff returns, we have settled down. Our new staff members (together with the veterans) are amazing. We have added a new sales coordinator, who spends time between Canada Blooms and Landscape Ontario, and we will soon hire a growers’ specialist. In addition,

Landscape Ontario provides association management services to the Ontario Parks Association. We have restructured the office to match the current member priorities. At the beginning of all this staff change and renewal, we placed a quote on the board that read, “Change comes bearing gifts.” It has come true. We are blessed with amazing staff that “own the mission”: Paul Day, Allan Dennis, Robert Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Wendy Harry CHT, Sally Harvey CHT, CLP, Lee Ann Knudsen CLP, Lynn Lane, Jane Leworthy, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Steve Moyer, Linda Nodello, Lorraine Pigeon-Ivanoff, Kathleen Pugliese, Joe Sabatino, Ian Service, Stephanie Smith, Tom Somerville, Melissa Steep, Susan Therrien, Ken Tomihiro, Gilles Bouchard, Sarah Willis, Ashleigh Woodhall and Mike Wasilewski. All are great ambassadors for the industry and association.

I would also like to acknowledge the great contribution of Kim Burton, our former art director. She has moved on to CNLA. Future The future of our industry continues to be bright, even though there may be a temporary economic downturn. These cycles have always been with us.

There are always opportunities that flow from all cycles. And, there are always companies that thrive in all economies.

During economic slowdowns, the association community becomes even more relevant and important. Storms are always easier to deal with when we work together as a team. Now is the time to stimulate even more unity, collaboration and focused effort. We need to assist members who are struggling. Our pioneers need to mentor and advise the younger companies on how to weather the storm. We need to get ourselves out of debt. We need to understand the principles of business. We need to eliminate waste and work smarter. We need to continue to support each other. We need to fight fear. We need to add value to our customers.

Most importantly, we need to be thankful and maintain an abundance mentality and continue to communicate the benefits of our sector in raising the quality of life for this generation and those that follow.

Have a great 2009.

Respectfully submitted, Tony DiGiovanni CHT Executive director

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

23

Chapter Reports The regional needs of the members are served through a network of nine chapters.

Through monthly meetings and promotional activities, the chapters represent an ideal way for member companies to keep abreast of local industry concerns. The two most sought after membership benefits — education and networking opportunities — are provided through the association’s regional chapter structure.

Durham President: Brian Marsh Past president/provincial board representative: Mark Humphries Vice president: Ed Hewis Secretary/treasurer: Carol Fulford Directors: John Fulford, Greg Scarlett CHT, Ian Andrews, Norm Mills, Phil Bull Chapter meeting highlights: The Durham Chapter held meetings the first Tuesday night of each month at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa.

September 2007: We had 13 members attend this meeting. The guest speaker was Robert Boggs from the Weather Network. Those in attendance found him very informative.

There was also some time given to suppliers to talk about their products.

October 2007: We had a great presentation concerning Hayden’s Garden, a Make A Wish Foundation project. Jeff McMann CHT spoke about award winning gardens. Jeff judges landscapes and gardens for awards, and he shared some great information with the 24 members attending this meeting.

November 2007: Two representatives from WSIB attended this meeting to discuss current employee issues. We also hosted Bob Tubby, LO president, as well as Tony DiGiovanni and Denis Flanagan from LO, Joe Salemi from CNLA and Fred Young from the Farm Safety Association at this meeting. It was great to discuss the current issues concerning our industry. Rosalyn Cronin also attended the meeting. She gave us all some insight concerning accounting issues that a company might be required to deal with over time. She discussed dos and don’ts with everyone present. A total of 25 members attended this meeting.

February 2008: This was our supplier night. A representative from Clintar discussed innovative new ways of weed control, and the changes that companies are facing. We had 21

Georgian Lakelands, Gilda’s House.

members attend this informative session.

March 2008: We had a representative from the Ministry of Transportation speak to 59 members. The chapter board elections were held during this meeting.

The grand opening for Hayden’s Wish Garden was in the spring of 2007. Landscape Ontario and the Durham Chapter received great media and print exposure. The garden looked excellent and was pulled together by a large number of volunteers. Seeing Hayden’s eyes light up and knowing that he now has a place to hang out with his little sister was all the reward the participants needed. Again, I would like to thank all who participated in this project. It is great to see the landscape community come together for such a great cause.

I would like to also thank all the board members for their dedication of the past year.

The Durham Board would like to thank Fred Young from the Farm Safety Association for presenting his knowledge on health and safety issues. We would like to also thank all the companies that donated items for door prizes at our meetings. And, a special thank you to Carol Fulford for keeping me organized again this past year.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Marsh President, 2007-2008

Georgian Lakelands President: Mark Goodman Past presidents: Earle Graham, Nick Solty, Bob Adams Provincial rep and treasurer: Terry Kowalski Secretary: Michael Laporte CHT Directors: Owen Burmania, Dave Holmlund The Georgian Lakelands Chapter began and ended this year with a golf day. The September golf day started off our season at Innisbrook Golf Club in Barrie. Paul Day and president Bob Tubby attended and joined Barrie mayor Dave Aspen on the tee block.

October marked our busy month on the Kidd’s Creek project. The construction went well and was helped along by the many volunteers from local schools and Simcoe Conservation Authority. Thanks to our suppliers for their donations: McLaren Equipment, Battlefield, Cornerstone, Maxwell Stone Supply, Barrie Botanix and Solty Garden Centre. LO’s executive director Tony DiGiovanni and president Bob Tubby came to the shrub planting day, and addressed the crowd as well as popped in a few plants.

In November, Pastor Jay Davis rejuvenated us with a motivational speech. His discussion reminded us what we need best, relaxation to be productive in any venture we undertake. His advice was seen in our Christmas party, where

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

over 90 people gathered to enjoy food, drink, and horse races at Georgian Downs.

In February, we journeyed up Highway 11 to Huntsville and Deerhurst Resort for our first chapter meeting in the northern region of the chapter. Unfortunately, an extreme snowfall to the south limited attendance, but we still had a great turnout for Jacki Hart CLP, who discussed the Prosperity Partners Program. Stephanie Smith updated us on the industry and home office initiatives. Mark Goodman explored why we should become members and why we should be proud members. President Bob Adams discussed the importance of involvement in the association.

Ski Day was more successful than ever before. The Solty brothers again taught us how to ski.

In March, we held our first job fair. It was small, but we were very successful, despite more inclement weather. Thanks go to Warren Patterson for his diligent work on this initiative.

We also held our annual MTO update meeting.

Officers Hank Dubee and Kevin Mulligan made this an interesting and informative meeting.

Much of our effort over the last half of the year went to organizing our golf day, which we increased to an 18-hole tourney, combined with our annual trade show. Exhibitors did a wonderful job with their booths and everyone enjoyed the golf, the day being one of the few this summer with sun. Special thanks to all involved for their support. Proceeds from this event will be used to support our next project for Gilda’s House Barrie.

Thanks to everyone who has helped us achieve our goals and make our events successful this year. Special thanks to all the chapter board members who have worked hard developing and implementing new ideas into the goals and events we are planning for the future.

Respectfully submitted, Mark Goodman, President 2007-2008

Golden Horseshoe President: Tim Cruickshanks Past President: Mark Weavers Provincial Board Representative: David Emmons Treasurer: Bruce Wilson Secretary: Michelle Cocks CHT Directors: , Gail Gibbons, Walter Hasselman, Brad Malton, Jeff Smith, Deanna Van Varik

The Golden Horseshoe Chapter had an interesting calendar of events throughout the past year. We started off the season with the annual chicken roast at Bobcat of Hamilton’s new location in Stoney Creek. Everyone enjoyed lots of good food and fun.

In addition to the chicken roast, we also ran a number of seminars, including JPL, labour relations, MTO, The Beach Gardener and one on the subject of due diligence. The annual Christmas social at the Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club was a great success.

Another successful social event was our inaugural golf tournament, held at Willow Valley Golf Course in Hamilton. A lot of planning and organization went into making this event so successful. Even a powerful August storm didn’t stop the golfers from having a great day. There was a great turnout and the money raised will help support our chapter and Ronald McDonald House. The highlight of the day occurred on one of the three greens with sponsored hole-in-one contests. One lucky golfer managed to sink his shot and took home a $12,000 riding mower.

I would like to thank all of our executive board members for all their hard work this past year and look forward to another exciting year in 2008-2009.

Respectfully submitted, Tim Cruickshanks President, 2007-2008

London President: Tim Cradduck Past president: Kees Govers Vice president: Jay Murray CLP Provincial board representative: Michael Pascoe CHT Treasurer: Peter Vanderley Secretary: Daryl Bycraft CHT Directors: Darcy DeCaluwe, Jerry Hakkers, Grant Harrison, Wendy Harry CHT, John Perriman The year 2008 was a tremendously dynamic one for the London Chapter. We started the year partnering with the London Home Builders’ Association at the Life Styles Home Show. We created a feature garden next to the stage, and brought several speakers to the show over the course of the weekend. The success of the feature garden, as well as the attraction created by the speakers, gave us the opportunity to partner with The London Home Builders’

Association again for 2009.

The chapter also saw the completion of Alex’s Butterfly Garden, a community-based project involving many LO members in various ways, ranging from the installation to the supply of materials.

As part of our mandate to partner with, develop and install a community project garden, we have begun work on The Banting House Global Garden. This garden will take a small green space next to The Banting House Museum and transform it into a tranquil environment that will allow people from around the world who have been inflicted with diabetes to reflect in a peaceful atmosphere.

Once again the annual golf tournament was a huge success, attracting 120 golfers to Pine Knot Golf Club, just east of London. The date for the tournament was moved from August to early September in hopes of attracting more chapter members, which it did.

Over the last few years the London Chapter has drawn more members to our monthly chapter meetings. We are now starting to see some familiar faces that we have not seen in awhile.

Our hope is to entice even more members out to our meetings with topics that will support them in the success of their business.

Your board members are always looking for topics or workshops that will assist you in meeting your goals. If you have any requests for topics or training, please contact one of us and we will strive to meet your needs.

Looking forward to a successful 2009!

Respectfully submitted, Tim Cradduck President, 2007-2008

Ottawa President: Tim Dyer Vice president and secretary: Sarah Johnston Past president: Peter Cullen Treasurer: Pat Charest Provincial board rep: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT Directors: Darrell Kekanovich CIT, Glenda Curtis, Hank Mollema, Welwyn Wong, David Stewart CHT In the words of Bob Tubby, the Ottawa Chapter has begun its journey to “The Next Level.”

Lynn Lane, our marketing, promotions and membership professional, has helped us every step of the way.

In November of 2007, we held our annual Day of Tribute at Beechwood National

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 Cemetery. Grass was mowed, groomed and seeded, we raked leaves, lawns were aerated, trees were improved and many other functions were carried out as LO’s contribution towards remembrance.

Our annual green industry trade show, Green Trade Expo, was held in February. The tradition of poor weather on the day was upheld. Despite this, attendance was very high and exhibitor feedback was very positive.

Several seminars were held during the day. Our real highlight was a breakfast presentation with Donald Cooper. He stayed for the remainder of the day to give advice to those seeking to improve their business.

In April, the Ottawa Student Chapter held a barbecue at Algonquin College. LO member companies were invited, as well as students and faculty. The event proved such a success that it continues to be a twice-yearly fixture.

Also in April, LO sponsored the Love of the Labyrinth lecture and multi-media show. It was another superb event presented by Paradise Found Lectures.

In May, many member businesses started to donate labour and materials to the Cancer Survivors’ Park on Riverside Drive. Thanks to the generosity of our members, the park is complete and we hope to organize a tour of the park for those businesses that donated to the project.

Our annual golf tournament was held earlier than usual — in June. The number of participants increased and it was a great success.

Later in the summer, our second annual CHT evaluation took place at University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus. A high passing rate was achieved and students seemed very pleased with the stations and the layout.

Our education continues to flourish under the direction of Sarah Johnston and Lynn Lane. This year’s program was as packed as any year, with excellent attendance and very positive feedback.

We continue to follow and develop our Strategic Plan and have found this very beneficial in all aspects of planning and execution.

Respectfully submitted, Tim Dyer President 2007-2008

Toronto Chapter President: George Urvari Vice president: Fiona Zieba Past president: Caroline DeVries

Treasurer: Dave Nemeth Provincial board rep and secretary: Lindsay Drake Nightingale Student rep: Dennis Del Vecchio Directors: Janet Ennamorato, Arvil Lucas, Sabrina Goettler Wow, time flies! I still find it amazing that a group of volunteers can get so much done in one year. Of course it helps to have the guidance and help from the amazing office staff at Landscape Ontario. But then, our Toronto Chapter was not too shabby! We managed to also increase sponsorship to help cover the costs of all our Chapter meetings due, in large part to the Toronto board’s recruitment efforts for new sponsors.

In November of last year, we had a presentation at a new venue, the John Bassett Theatre, where we held the Gardens of Sissinghurst Lecture. Over 900 people turned out to the event. Hats off to Tony DiGiovanni and Tim Kearney from the Ottawa Chapter for hooking us up with such a great event.

Dale Winstanley’s presentation on Christmas urns turned out to be not only beautiful, but also a real business-learning experience. There is a lot of planning that goes into this profit centre, and a great deal of creativity, too.

Of course, there was the annual contractors’ lecture series that featured contractor Barry Hordyk and landscape architect Martin Wade.

They displayed the best the industry has to offer in design and construction. Martin Wade and his colleagues were one of the designers involved in the creation of the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG), while Barry showed us some of his work at a Niagara vineyard site.

In February, we had a full-day workshop on WSIB, Ontario One Call and The Ministry of Transportation. This session was very informative and made us aware of all the risks involved in running a labour-intensive business. It also provided pointers on how to avoid pitfalls, along with valuable contact information.

In July, we held the annual golf tournament, and it was SOLD OUT. We managed to raise lots of money for Sick Kids and the TBG. August was the time for the annual baseball tournament. It, too, was sold out and was a lot of fun, despite my company’s team getting beaten!

All-in-all it was a busy year with lots of accomplishments and lots of which to be proud.

Landscape Ontario again has proved its worth in terms of bringing diverse people together to help improve the prosperity of our members, the public and of course, ourselves.

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Our new president Fiona Zieba has taken over the helm this year. The Toronto Chapter will be even more successful than ever in the years to come, due to the great leadership and volunteerism that comes from all the directors of the Toronto Chapter.

Respectfully submitted, George Urvari President, 2006-2007

Upper Canada President: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP Past presidents: Russ Loney, Terry Childs Provincial representative: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP Vice president/secretary: Lisa Purvis CHT Treasurer: Eugene Lazier Directors: Diana Cassidy-Bush CLP, Stuart Sprout, Kurt Van Clief, Pam McCormick, Ric Murray At the completion of another year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chapter board and all those members who gave of their time and talents to help run the events of 2007-2008, and thereby continue to grow and promote our industry throughout the chapter area.

Highlights are as follows: January 2007: A visit was received from LO president Bob Adams and executive director Tony DiGiovanni. A panel discussion took place with various company owners, as to the benefits of LO, certification, and how they use these to promote their companies.

February 2007: CLP seminars were held.

March 2007: A huge promotion of LO took place locally through the chapter’s participation in the Quinte Home Builders’ Home Show. We thank, once again, all those who helped in the organization, set-up, sponsorship, and donations of time and goods to this very successful event. Thanks go particularly to Canada Blooms, BTN, Gro-Bark, Permacon, Sprout’s Premium Earth Products and exhibitor members, Fresh Landscape and Garden Solutions, Picture Perfect Landscaping, Scott Wentworth Landscape Group and Dutchman’s Landscaping. The plant material from this show moved on to “An Evening in Paris,” a community event in Belleville to help raise money for Pediatric Cancer research, where the plants were auctioned off. Well done Upper Canada!

April 2007: A successful meeting with MTO

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

was again held in a mock-up roadside inspection. This helped to provide answers to common questions and more clarity to requirements. A Prosperity Partners presentation by Jacki Hart resulted in running the initial program a few weeks later.

July 2007: A successful golf tournament at Briar Fox Golf Club in Marysville.

October 2007: The month was kicked off with a meeting and seminar featuring Terry Murphy CLP speaking to us on improving employee performance.

November 2007: Jeff McMann CHT spoke to the members about landscape photography and how to utilize it for promotion.

December 2007: The Christmas Social once again took place at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston.

Respectfully submitted, Paul Doornbos CHT CLP President, 2007-2008

Waterloo President: Dave Wright Vice president: Brenda Luckhardt Past president: Mike Hayes Provincial rep: John Keenan Treasurer: Frank Freiburger Directors: Rob Kerr, Larry Hackbart, Cor Bultena, Steve Snider, Rob Tester The following are the highlights of our actionpacked year of general meetings, social events and the new focus to raise our profile in the community.

Highlights are as follows: September: We tried something different for our first meeting, when we went to a member company facility for a tour and discussion on new directions in landscape design. Hosted by Doug Mooder CLD of Mooder Horticultural, we had a tour of his high-tech office, showroom and display gardens. Attendance was not as high as usual, but all who did go enjoyed the experience.

October: Featuring the popular Oktoberfest sausage cart, the October general meeting went long into the night, as Hans Jons, transportation consultant, discussed the many new changes to the provincial transportation act that cover our member companies.

November: Our popular company profile was back with Phil Dickie telling the history of Fast Forest. Leanne Lobe of the Region of

Foundation. The group planted trees and placed rocks with project’s budget nearing $8,000.

The students were thrilled with the new digs and one happy parent showed up shortly after with an additional $1,000 to help carry on the project.

June: Our second annual Waterloo Chapter Golf Tournament was held at Rebel Creek Golf Course on June 18. The day was hot, but the refreshments were cold. Dinner and door prizes followed play. A total of $22,500 was raised for KidsAbility and the Waterloo Chapter Scholarship Fund.

In summary, I would like to thank all of the many volunteers who made the many projects and events work.

Waterloo, school tree planting.

Waterloo’s Smart about Salt program discussed the effects of salt reduction on our local water supply. The feature presentation was by Rob Kuhn of Environment Canada, who many may recognize from such popular warnings as “Severe Winter Storm Approaching.” Rob spoke about meteorology and how different storm systems affect the region.

Our 28th annual Fall Freeze-up Dinner Dance was held again at Golf’s Steakhouse on the November 16. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended, especially those who received one of the many door prizes.

December: We dabbled in human resources at this month’s general meeting with Jo Taylor, as she discussed the disciplinary process, followed by Rob Tester’s famous chili.

January: Always a conflict with Congress, the January meeting was not very well attended, although Terry Murphy explained the Adopt-a-School program and Jackie Hart gave her ever-passionate promotion of the Prosperity Partnership program.

February: The general meeting was replaced by a day-time business seminar presented by JPL to a sellout crowd.

March: Helmutz Interlock presented its business profile at this general meeting, followed by Michael Lewis speaking on Selling More for Greater Success.

April: The Spring Thaw Social, complete with live band and full contact musical chairs, was well attended and well deserved after the tough winter.

April 30th had chapter members planting trees at a local French language school, along with representatives of the Evergreen

Respectfully submitted, Dave Wright President 2007-2008

Windsor President: Karl Klinck Past president: Dan Garlatti Treasurer: Don Tellier Provincial board rep: Garry Moore Secretary: Jay Rivait Directors: Jay Terryberry, Chris Power Ah, yes the weather. We all work outside, and it’s always about the weather. No, actually, it’s not really about the weather at all. It’s about communicating with your clients and your staff. It’s about scheduling and re-scheduling.

It’s about contingencies and Plan B, C, and D. Yes, it’s about raincoats and sun block, but… it’s not about the weather. Maybe, on a given day, it’s about the weather. But when you look back on an entire season, it can’t be about the weather. It’s about you, and how you react and plan and react and plan some more.

So-called ‘normal’ weather eluded EssexKent once again in 2007-2008, but of course the most resilient of us continue to thrive. Silver linings and rainbows abound when looking at the weather through a positive lens. For example, the long dry fall allowed many contractors to make up for work delayed during the cold wet spring of 2007. Likewise, the abundant snow in early December and again in February and March was welcomed by maintenance contractors in spite of the irony of a salt shortage in Windsor. Meanwhile, the deep lingering frost delayed the start to the planting season, however, regular rain and cooler weather kept the public in the mood for gardening and extended

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 the busy retail season into early July.

companies will adjust, devise a plan and survive.

The economic climate No, it’s not about the economy either. Just like the weather, the faltering economy of our region is out of our control. Many local LO companies have expressed concern about how the economy will affect business. They have genuine worries about surviving the immediate future. Most companies have had to react with traditional belt-tightening measures like trimming inventories, selling excess equipment and cutting staff. At the same time, many members tell stories of successfully changing with the times. For example, local garden centres have explored new niches like selling nematodes instead of pesticides. Or, they are showcasing drought-tolerant plants as concern about water use becomes the next hot button issue. Many contractors have increasingly partnered with competitors by sub-contracting labour and equipment to each other, whenever possible.

Others have reacted by simply focusing on improving the efficiency of their core business activities.

Volunteer renewal Our all-volunteer local executive board provides leadership in organizing all of our local events and meetings. New blood is crucial to maintain a fresh perspective and to expand our partnerships in the community. Congratulations to Garry Moore for returning to the executive and taking a leadership role with the Hospice of Windsor project and serving as our provincial board rep. Thank you to Jay Terryberry for your years of service on the board. We wish you the best as you step back to spend time with your growing family. We are excited to welcome three new members to the board for the upcoming year. Thanks to Chuck Pronger, Nino Papa and Doug Roberts for volunteering to spend some of your valuable time with us.

Thanks as well to the numerous members who volunteered at Winter Blooms, Golf Day and chapter meetings

Regional outlook Business success is always achieved by adapting to our current situation, while at the same time charting a course for the future. This is truer now than ever. The economic challenges of Windsor-Essex-Kent are serious, but successful companies will focus on their own reality and not on the hyperbole of the media. Amid all the uncertainty, there are still opportunities.

For example, demographics are still on our side. An aging population that spends increasingly more time and money on their homes and cares more and more about the environment can only bode well for our industry. Construction of the new border gateway project is imminent. The new casino, medical school, and arena are open.

The Highway 3 widening and 401 improvements are almost complete. Even construction of the controversial new prison will provide jobs. As well, new technologies make it easier to track our business and communicate with our customers.

New products will allow us to stay fresh, as we compete with the big box behemoths.

Also, membership in LO increasingly provides access to timely tools for success. Members participating in local projects like the garden build at the Hospice of Windsor will surely increase their profile, network of contacts and build employee morale. And those taking advantage of the professional development of Prosperity Partners will gain a leg up on their competition.

In short, innovative, creative and professional

Chapter meeting highlights Improved promotion and a better location contributed to improved attendance at chapter meetings. A crowd of 20 to 30 was the norm this year. That’s an excellent turnout for our small chapter. Thank you Dan Garlatti and Wendy Harry CHT for coordinating an interesting speaker program at our chapter meetings.

October 2007: Garlatti Landscaping hosted an after-work barbecue at its yard in LaSalle. Over 50 people turned out to connect and re-connect in an informal setting. Tony DiGiovanni was on hand as the local Awards of Distinction entries were showcased and winners were announced. The fall barbecue will be an annual event.

November 2007: Doug Mooder CLP was in town to share the secrets of his success. He presented photos of some of his more interesting projects and encouraged all to ‘take the next step’ to success.

December 2007: In December, we welcomed Kees Govers of Caradoc Green Roof back to Windsor. Kees presented an overview of the history of green roofs and the range of products on the market. He also provided insight into the future of green roofs, as more emphasis is placed on sustainable design and construction.

February 2008: Tom Intven of Canadale Nurseries and Richard Greuner of Valleybrook were on hand to profile new and exciting plant introductions. Tom also explained the many ways new cultivars are brought to market.

March 2008: Jacki Hart CLP returned to

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Windsor to give a preview of the multi-faceted Prosperity Partners Program. Jacki led the group through problem solving exercises, facilitated a discussion on work-life balance and encouraged all to ‘work on’ and not just ‘in’ their business.

Special Events and Other Activities Bursaries:The Don Klinck Memorial Bursary was awarded to a St. Clair College horticulture student. The funds raised from Winter Blooms and donated to the St. Clair College Foundation have allowed for the creation of a new bursary.

The first Lex Kraft Legacy Award will be presented in February of 2009.

Newsletter:The newsletter continued to be an excellent communication tool for advertising events, meetings, and sharing business and industry insight. Thanks to Jay Rivait for all the hard work.

Winter Blooms: Landscape Ontario’s Windsor Chapter again partnered with St. Clair College to produce Winter Blooms III, a consumer show and garden symposium in March. Over 1,000 people attended this year.

New attractions were a whimsical children’s garden, a clown and cooking demonstrations.

As well, LO president Bob Adams was on hand to help cut the ribbon on the Hospice healing garden. Components of the temporary garden will be re-assembled as a permanent garden at the Hospice of Windsor site. Once again, over 20 member companies participated in some fashion. The volunteer support of our members and the horticulture students was invaluable.

Thanks to our silent auction and gate receipts, we were able to donate $3,000 each to the St. Clair Scholarship Foundation and Hospice of Windsor. Thank you to all our sponsors.

On behalf of the Windsor Chapter, thank-you to all the volunteers and members whose time, effort and input have allowed us to together promote the green industry in the Windsor, Essex and Chatham-Kent area. Serving LO as a volunteer often requires a large personal commitment of time and energy, but, it is a very rewarding experience because volunteers get back far more than they put in. We have had a lot more participation by members this year. I encourage all of our local members to continue to step up and volunteer in this coming year. The outcome can only be positive when we work together.

Respectfully submitted, Karl Klinck President, 2007-2008

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Commodity Group Reports The scope and mandate — and therefore the needs — of the various industry sectors served by Landscape Ontario are distinctly different. The specific requirements of each of these groups are facilitated by the association’s commodity group structure.

The objective of each commodity group is to respond to current concerns resulting from marketplace pressures and government legislation.

Garden Centre Chair and provincial board representative: Bob McCannell Members: Barry Benjamin, Perry Grobe, John Hawkes, Alice Klamer, Chas Lawton CHT, Shannon Lindensmith, Jenny Pepetone, Norm Mills, J.R. Peters, Bob Reeves, Robert Richards, Susan Richards, Ben Vaanholt, Art Vanden Enden CHT Garden Centre Symposium: The third annual Garden Centre Symposium was held October 20th. Coinciding with Garden Expo, attendance at the symposium was strong and included delegates from outside Ontario. There was an excellent speaker program and a dynamic panel on the pros and cons of POS systems for independent garden centres. Many thanks to chair Perry Grobe for a job well done.

Environmental Stewardship: The focus of the committee is on development of a provincial garden centre/grower program to recycle the plastic pots, trays and film produced by our industry. The goal is to re-use plastic rather than burying it in a landfill site. We have initiated pilot programs and are working with industry partners to develop this initiative.

Many thanks to Art Vanden Enden CHT for leading this project.

E-Forum: Horticulture Review is working with the garden centre group to publish responses to our monthly e-forum question concerning independent garden centre operations. Your feedback and participation in the forum is welcomed and appreciated. Many thanks to Sarah Willis for her support.

Branding to the Consumer: The Branding Committee is on track to develop a timely message and a choice of icons to support our industry. Webinars are in place to help members use this material and integrate it into a co-branding program for member companies.

We look forward to the consumer website www. landscapeontario.com. Many thanks to the Branding Committee for persevering on this difficult, but important, project.

Garden Centre Inspection Program: The CNLA Garden Centre Group, known as Garden Centres Canada (G.C.C.), under the leadership of chair Anthony O’Neil, is bringing Eve Tigwell to Canada to assist in the importation, training and development of the Garden Centre Inspector Program currently used in the U.K., Denmark, Germany and South Africa. The plan is to conduct inspections across Canada in June 2009. These inspections will occur in eastern Canada, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia and include a cross-section of our members. The budget would provide for 16-18 inspections, plus the cost of training a Canadian inspector to carry the program forward in Canada.

Respectfully submitted, Bob McCannell Chair 2007-2008

Grounds Management Chair: Mike DeBoer CHT Provincial board representative: Brian Marsh Members: Jacki Hart CLP, John Hewson, Sarah Johnston, Gerald Boot CLP, Bob Lawrie, Russel Loney, Jeff McMann CHT, Rodger Tschanz The commodity group was pleased to host the annual Grounds Management Symposium in Ottawa in March, 2008. The symposium’s guest speakers were Brenda Gallagher (Minimizing Maintenance Misery) and Michael Lewis (Building a Winning Team – hiring, training, retaining). The 2009 symposium will be held at Congress in January.

The group reviewed the mandate for the Environmental Stewardship committee.

Categories were created in order to clarify the discussion. The categories include: pesticides, emissions, noise, dust, garbage/waste, irrigation/water masters, fuel use and equipment.

After the success of the Trial Gardens last year, it was decided to continue with this project and expand the space and plant material.

The gardens were larger, and contained more

Trial Gardens, 2008.

plants. Two companies were involved this year — Goldsmith Seed and Ball committed their support. There will be a lot of potential for testing plants under many different environmental conditions. An open house was planned for August 20. It was decided to host a full-day event beginning in the morning at Landscape Ontario and the afternoon at University of Guelph. The turfgrass trial at the University of Guelph was also included. Invitations were sent out to all related groups (parks, grounds managers, etc.).

The commodity group developed a strategic plan for next year. Projects for 2009 include grounds maintenance standards (environmental contract), the symposium, the 2009 trial garden, improving communication and customer education materials.

Respectfully submitted, Mike DeBoer Chair, 2007-2008

Growers Co-chairs: Bart Brusse, Dave Braun Provincial board representative: Dave Braun Members: Gerwin Bouman, Tim Dyer, Jeff Gregg, Chris Langendoen, Jennifer Llewellyn, Glen Lumis, John Moons, Keith Osborne, Mark Ostrowski, Fred Somerville, Ted Spearing, Youbin Zheng

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

The Growers Commodity Group developed a strategic plan that outlined the goals for the year. Events included a summer tour, fall auction, regular winter meetings, a growers short course, invasive alien pests nursery certification and government relations.

The Growers Research Auction was held at PAO Associates in September of 2007. It was a great success with beautiful weather and a great turnout. The event raised $19,000 for horticultural research. Mori Nurseries hosted the event in September, 2008.

In February of 2008, the commodity group held another successful Growers Short Course at the Royal Botanical Gardens, organized

by Glen Lumis. Approximately 180 people attended the seminar. As per the strategic plan, we then began to organize for the February 11, 2009 short course.

A number of workshops were held on the Nursery Certification/Domestic Phytosantary Program (DPCP) through Rita Weerdenburg of CNLA. The Christmas Tree Growers Association expressed interest in bringing its growers under the LO/CNLA umbrella. Fred Somerville joined the Growers Commodity group as the association’s representative.

The fall dinner meeting was held on November 29, 2007 at Grand Chalet in Milton.

The theme was environmental stewardship.

Guest speakers were Dr. John FitzGibbon, OFEC/University of Guelph, and Nathan Helder, chair of the LO Environmental Stewardship Committee. There were 45 participants at the meeting.

The commodity group organized a tour of eastern Ontario in July, 2008. It was a two-day tour with 40 participants visiting Kings Creek Trees, Richardson Nursery, Artistic Garden Centre, AAFC Central Experimental Farm, Manotick Tree Movers, Ferguson Forest Centre and Eastern Ontario Model Forest.

It was decided to add a new category for the Awards of Excellence program, ‘Design on a Skid.’

We welcome our new committee members: Gerwin Bouman, Jeff Gregg, Keith Osborne, Youbin Zheng and Fred Somerville.

A special thank you to Jennifer Llewellyn and Glen Lumis for their dedication and the work they have done — and are still doing — on behalf of the Growers Group.

Respectfully submitted, Bart Brusse, Dave Braun Co-chairs, 2007-2008

Interiorscape Chair: Alan Darlington Vice chair: Charles Prenevost CHTI Provincial board representative: Stephen Schell CHTI Members: Eric Endersby CHTI, Hella Keppo CHTI, Bill Peel, Fred Prescod CHTI, Peter Tigchelaar, Liane Unwin CHTI, Phil Van Alstyne CHTI On October 15, 2007, the commodity group held its fourth annual Interior Landscape Symposium. The symposium was held at the Toronto Congress Centre, in conjunction with Garden Expo. The program included speakers from three Canadian provinces and one from the U.S. The conference was a success, and those who took part said they looked forward to planning next year’s event.

Due to the success of the 2007 symposium, the group started to work on topics, speakers and presentations for the 2008 event. We decided to change its name from symposium to conference.

The committee developed a strategic plan that included: How to promote interior industry; each meeting should have a major topic on the agenda; brainstorming should occur on where we are going, including a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats): “What do we need to do as an industry to prosper for the next 10 years?”

The group sponsored a community project, Darling Home for Kids. It involved building a garden with a water feature inside the home, providing a relaxing atmosphere for the children who live there.

Part of the committee’s strategic plan was improving communication to others in the interior sector and other industry sectors. A quarterly newsletter was developed and the committee will have a booth at Congress 2009 to interact with other sectors of the industry.

Plans called for the commodity group to participate in the LO resource booth at Garden Expo in October, 2008.

Another communication project was inviting suppliers of the industry to a presentation to review the group’s strategic plan and action items. Discussion centred on how to work together to achieve mutual goals.

On a personal note, Eric Endersby retired from the industry. He was presented the Interiorscape Award at the Awards of Excellence ceremony at Congress 2008 for his contribution to the industry. Also, due to other commitments

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and new ventures, Alan Darlington and Chuck Prenevost resigned from the committee. They were thanked for their contribution and the committee wished them success.

Respectfully submitted, Stephen Schell Chair, 2008

Irrigation Chair: Chris Le Conte CIC CLIA Provincial board representative: Steve Macartney CIT, CHT Directors: Andrew Gaydon, Gillian Glazer, Kevin Jensen CIT, John Lamberink CIT, Harry Hutten CIT, Lorne Haveruk CIT A theme dominating many of our commodity group’s discussions this year is change. Will anything ever change in our industry? Who will drive change? Will it be good or bad for our businesses? When will change occur?

The one thing that has not been debated is that the world around us IS changing.

Consumers are giving more thought to the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions. The cost of water is increasing.

Our communities are growing rapidly. Green building standards such as LEED are now the norm in new retail, commercial and residential developments. What does this mean? Well, our group believes that consumers are about to start demanding higher standards from our industry.

In an effort to educate our members, the commodity group has focused on developing a strong agenda for our upcoming irrigation day on January 5th at Congress 2009. Speakers will include representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, Resource Management Strategies and the University of Guelph School of Engineering. Key topics of the day will include the issues of rainwater and greywater re-use regulations, the future of Ontario water policy and water restrictions and a look at how our communities perceive our industry.

Next on the agenda for the irrigation group is a re-visitation of our mandate, additions to the current educational offerings from LO and the development of a mid-season educational event.

As chair of our group, I represent our industry at the Ontario Water Works Association, The CMHC Rainwater Harvesting Focus Group and the Environmental Stewardship Committee at LO. The common theme at all of these meetings

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

is sustainability. This issue is not a fad, trend nor the next dot com, it is good for our planet and good for business. As a group, we need to play a role in shaping our industry into a sustainable one. It is clear that our colleagues south of the border are under heavy scrutiny as yet another state (North Carolina) passes legislation to regulate the industry. Yes, we in this part of the world have lots of water, but that does not mean that will always be the case. We also know that locally the MOE is paying close attention to American programs, such as the EPA’s Watersense. Let’s hope that they don’t take it too seriously, too quickly.

Respectfully submitted, Chris Le Conte Chair, 2008

Landscape Contractors Chair: Peter Guinane Members: Brian Clegg, Charlie Dobbin, Harry Gelderman CHT, Steve Hary, Barry Hordyk, Graham Leishman CIT, Brian Marsh, Matt Robertson CIT, Arthur Skolnick, Kyle Tobin, Koos Torenvliet, Dave Turnbull CHT, Bruce Warren Design group representative: Janet Ennamorato It is never easy to take time away from our businesses during the summer. With that in mind, I would like to thank all of the members of our committee for contributing their time.

Our annual presentation of the lecture series at the Toronto Botanical Gardens was a big success this past February, with Barry Hordyk of Shademaster Landscaping and Martin Wade of Martin Wade and Associates sharing their incredible stories to another packed house.

Next winter’s presentation is scheduled to coincide with Industry Night festivities at Canada Blooms on March 19, 2009. Hope to see you there.

The commodity group is leading the judging of the design competition for entry into this year’s Canada Blooms. We have the unenviable task of picking 15 winners from over 30 applications for gardens at this year’s show.

Only the most innovative and creative gardens will be on display this year, truly showcasing what landscape designers and builders in Ontario can produce.

We have been working on issues relating

to skilled labour shortages and are thrilled to see the initiatives now underway at home office. There are several programs and we encourage members to take advantage of these opportunities.

There was less success in developing a simplified process for navigating the permit requirements for projects. We are hoping to coordinate our efforts with local chapters, as most issues are unique to each region.

There are many ideas to develop this coming year, one of which is an e-newsletter to share current information and educate contractors on best practices, new opportunities and events.

We are the original green industry. We need to tell people. We need to learn how to run our companies in a more earth-friendly manner.

Please accept my invitation to join our group and help us develop all these, plus new initiatives to make our industry better.

Respectfully submitted, Peter Guinane, Chair, 2007-2008

Landscape Designers Chair: Beth Edney CLD Provincial board representative: Beth Edney CLD Vice chair: Tony Lombardi CLD Treasurer: Janet Ennamorato Newsletter editor: Jennifer Hayman Members: Paul Brydges, Don Chase CLD, Harry Gelderman, Sabrina Goettler, Jennifer Hayman, Judith Humphries CLD, Alice Klamer, Ron Koudys OALA, CLD, Fred Post CLD, John Scanlon, Greg Scarlett CHT, Haig Seferian CLD, Patricia Stanish CLD, Ron Swentiski CLD The Landscape Designers group hosted its annual conference at Congress on January 7, 2008. It was a sold-out event with over 175 people in attendance. All speakers and topics were well received by the audience. Plans for 2009 are well under way. It is shaping up to be another great conference, jammed with information designers can utilize.

The designer newsletter has been a great success and has been widely circulated.

The certification manual has been contracted out and should be completed in the new year. New deadlines have been set for

portfolio reviews in Ontario. Consult the CNLA website for dates.

A garden bus tour was hosted by the commodity group on August 21, 2008. It was another sold-out event. The tour visited the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture and three residences in the Niagara area.

Respectively submitted, Beth Edney CLD Chair 2007-2008

Lawn Care Chair: Gavin Dawson Provincial board representative: Alan White Members: Rob Baxby, Thom Bourne CIT, Phil Bull, Pam Charbonneau, Paul Gaspar, Mark Goodman, Rohan Harrison, Martin Horsman, John Ladds, Tammy Lawrence, Don McQueen CIT, Darcy Olds, Dan Passmore, Dave Soepboer, Kyle Tobin, Steve Tschanz, Bruce Van Haastrecht, Lou Van Haastrecht, Don Voorhees, John Wright The year began with a promise from the provincial government to bring forward the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Act (Bill 64), an Act to amend the current Pesticides Act. It was passed in June. Since then, the government has been working to develop the regulations that will serve under this Act. This activity has consumed much of our lawn care group’s efforts. While opinions of this government initiative vary greatly among the Ontario public, and even within the green industry, there is no doubt about the regulatory direction our lawn care group has faced for several years. We have seen municipal bylaws progressing at a record pace, and becoming more and more unworkable. Some bylaws were amended multiple times within months.

Therefore, we saw the Ontario government’s promise of harmonized, uniform, regulation as an opportunity to move forward.

Our group has shown support for uniform effective provincial legislation that protects public health and the environment, and provides practical solutions to maintain our green spaces. Our position paper to the provincial government has outlined our six main points: • Legislation should ensure a level playing field for all sectors.

• Regulations should be harmonized across the province, instead of a patchwork of varying rules.

• Provision should be made for applications

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 in the case of potentially damaging pest infestations.

• Control products should be categorized according to their risk and benefit in the establishment of any kind of a banned list.

• Sign posting regulations should be updated to better inform the public, allow for expansion of the exempt products list, and prevent the confusion caused by the current posting requirements.

We invite the provincial government to work with us to develop effective alternative control products, methods and help with public education and outreach.

The government’s promise to have the new regulations implemented by spring 2009 seems daunting, and the prospect of a ‘phase-in’ is yet unclear. Many questions remain, including the status of existing pesticide product inventories that may be banned under the new regulations.

Lawn care commodity group members are continuing to communicate with the provincial government through this process.

Other government communication in 2008 led to the successful clarification of the ‘Landscape Gardener’ definition in the regulations under the Employment Standards Act. This ensured that the lawn care industry is treated consistently with the original intent of this provincial regulation.

In late 2007, several members of our group participated in the increasingly successful (3rd annual) Renewal and Remembrance Day at the national military cemetery in Ottawa on November 2, 2007. This event provides us and others in the green industry an opportunity to give back to our community, and honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

As we move into 2009, political activities will continue to present the most obvious challenge, and hopefully, opportunity, for our group. However, other issues have surfaced in 2008 that will significantly impact business in 2009. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs are having a profound effect on us and almost all other industry sectors. As professional green space managers, we see the challenges posed by regulatory changes, and increasing fuel and fertilizer costs as certain reason to increasingly promote the environmental and societal benefits of healthy, well maintained green spaces, including healthy turf.

Respectfully submitted, Gavin Dawson Chair, 2007-2008

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Lighting

Snow and Ice

Chair: John Higo Provincial board representative: John Scanlon Members: Ron Abbott, Pamela Bingham, Frank DiMarco, Jim Ferguson, Jason Fleming, Gillian Glazer, Carl Hastings, Leon Hordyk, Raymond Josephian, Anne Lesperance, Susan Smith, James Solecki, Joe Willemse

Chair: Edward Hewis Provincial board representative: Gerald Boot CLP Members: Randy Adams, Vince Arone, John Buikema, John Fulford, Steve Hary, Mark Humphries, Bob Lawrie, Keith McDow, Jim Monk CSP, John O’Leary CHT, Darren Rodrigues, Robert Roszell, Robert Tester, Willem Tiemersma, Antonio Vaccari

The Lighting Commodity group was formed in December, 2006. The vision statement reads: “A prosperous, professional and ethical industry recognized and trusted by the public.”

The group feels that in order to achieve the statement, we must also increase promotion, education, compliance, enhance the environment, networking and certification. The group is focused on two main issues: Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and professional development/ certification.

The main goal of dealing with the ESA regulation is to have ESA recognize the competence, credibility and professionalism of the Certified Landscape Lighting Industry. A meeting was scheduled in November of 2007 to review the act. The meeting on November 12 went well. John Higo, John Scanlon, Bob Tubby, Tony DiGiovanni and Terry Murphy attended the meeting. John Higo prepared an exceptional position paper. ESA listened to our concerns and offered to help us draft a bulletin to the Code authority in order to allow us to continue the methods presently used. They also suggested a code change process if the code authority will not allow us to operate in the same manner as the present.

A ruling was given to the committee regarding permits, but after reviewing, clarification was required and a letter was sent. ESA is an ongoing issue for the lighting sector. As of the end of August, 2008, ESA has not had the time to write the standard for Landscape Lighting.

Other strategic items include: training, including ladder training; communication – newsletter; promotional material – selecting a lighting contractor brochure.

We started out the year – September, 2007 – with a very successful snow and ice symposium and outdoor trade show. We had 120 participants and 20 displays. Because of the success, plans for the 2008 snow and ice symposium began immediately.

A relationship and integration with SIMA have continued to grow. Snow and Ice Management Association’s board of directors held a meeting at Landscape Ontario in Milton.

This was the first time a SIMA board meeting was held outside the U.S. The respective board of directors of SIMA and Landscape Ontario held a meet and greet lunch and then proceeded with their own meetings and agendas. SIMA hired a new executive director, Martin Tirado.

SIMA’s conference was held in Buffalo, New York in July, 2008. Landscape Ontario had a display booth and many LO members and staff participated at the conference.

The group met with representatives of the Region of Waterloo who made a presentation on a public education program they developed.

Waterloo’s “Smart about Salt” program was well received by the group. They felt it was a good concept and should be supported by LO. The commodity group decided that environmental stewardship is very important.

Environmental protection is becoming a huge societal issue. The use of salt is increasingly being viewed as anti-environment. We need to ensure that the industry is using salt wisely.

It was suggested that we develop a public relations program that targets property managers and municipalities. We will develop a public relations plan utilizing the Contractor Rating System, as well as the certification programs.

Contract promotion needs to be part of the public relations program.

Respectively submitted, John Higo Chair 2007-2008

Respectively submitted, Edward Hewis Chair 2007-2008

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

Committee reports All of Landscape Ontario’s affairs are governed by its members. Regional needs are met at the chapter level, while industryspecific issues are dealt with at the commodity group level. All other affairs are conducted at the committee level. Some, such as Congress, Publishing or Finance, are long-standing committees that oversee the association’s very important, revenuegenerating activities. Often, committees are formed on an as-needed basis to deal with specific matters. Once a committee has successfully completed its mandate, the committee is discontinued.

Branding Chair: Bob McCannell Members: Robert Adams, Diana CassidyBush CLP, Phil Dickie, Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, David Emmons, Tom Intven, Tim Kearney CLP, Steve Macartney CIT, CHT, Jim McCracken, Mark Ostrowski, Nick Solty, Melissa Spearing, Alan White LO members have clearly identified a priority during our association’s strategic planning process: Branding LO to the public. The Branding Committee has taken this ambitious challenge to heart.

Our provincial board has allocated resources to introduce a consumer marketing campaign, Landscapeontario.com ‘Green for Life,’ to help support LO members’ marketing programs.

The Committee is responsible for overseeing a consumer outreach campaign focused on helping members connect with new and existing clients.

Since LO cannot afford to buy mass media, the most cost-effective way to connect with consumers is through the Internet. Marketing experts and LO staff are creating a fresh new consumer website full of images of our awardwinning gardens, articles on design and even YouTube-like video blogs from members.

The website will update the ‘Find a Professional’ section on the current landscapeontario.com, and make it easy for a consumer to find LO members. We want members to be only a click away from any consumer. The official public launch is scheduled for Canada Blooms, March 2009.

In addition to the website, the action plan calls for an active public relations (PR) program

The new Landscape Ontario public website will be launched in March 2009.

aimed to get the word out about LO and the new consumer site. We will visit with both the garden press and major lifestyle publications to get stories placed about green trends. We will talk about how LO members are helping not only to green up Ontario, but that ‘Green for Life’ is far reaching into all aspects of today’s busy lifestyle.

The key to any program like this is to get all LO members involved. With over 2,000 members, if all of us are talking about outdoor living and ‘Green for Life,’ then we build momentum.

The Branding Committee is an outstanding group of committed volunteers, who care deeply about LO. I am proud to be associated with this group. We are doing important work that literally sets the direction of LO’s future.

Thanks to all Branding Committee members for your effort, insight and dedication.

Respectfully submitted, Bob McCannell Chair, 2008

Building Management Committee Chair: Karl Stensson Members: Hank Gelderman CHT, Monica van

Maris, Neil Vanderkruk, Bob Tubby CLP, John Putzer, Rene Thiebaud CLP, Marc Thiebaud, Haig Seferian CLD It has been another interesting, positive and complex year for the Building Committee.

Although we are not progressing as quickly as I would like, there are good reasons for our steady pace.

In keeping with our Master Plan, the committee engaged an architect to provide ideas on how to renovate the building into a conference centre and expanded offices. We all agreed we would not proceed with renovations until we could secure the funds. The source of financing (in addition to our existing Building Fund) would come from developers interested in using six acres of our property for a rainwater retention pond. Negotiations for the pond sale continue.

This is one reason for the slow and steady pace.

It’s a complex issue that needs time to create the right plan for LO. The other reason The Town of Whitby asked the committee to consider moving the offices to the old Cullen Miniature Gardens site in Whitby. The Town Council believes that we would be able to accelerate our dream for a “green office,” conference centre and horticultural school if we took over the Cullen property. We have had numerous meetings to discuss the details. If the Building Committee recommends a move, it will have to be approved by the Board of Directors and

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 the full membership before this could happen.

In the meantime, we will continue our due diligence with your best interests in mind.

The committee also spent time looking at a number of other scenarios for future development.

Parallel to all this investigative activity, we were approached by Union Gas to sell a small parcel of land along Fifth Line to bury a pipeline. They agreed to pay us $130,000 (equivalent to $350,000 per acre).

We continue to be blessed with good fortune. I don’t know of any horticultural association in the world that has access to so many opportunities.

In the meantime, please forgive the “sheet” on the building that continues to serve as a sign. We will be doing something about this soon.

Respectfully submitted, Karl Stensson Chair, 2007-2008

Canada Blooms Co-chairs: Peter Guinane, Joyce Johnson Directors: Gerald Boot CLP, Mark Cullen, Jeff Olsen, Roz Titley, Janet Rowley CHT, Michel Gauthier, Judi Conacher (departing), Jaqueline Tilford Clarke (new director) Canada Blooms is a great opportunity for Landscape Ontario to showcase our best ideas, our best builders and our best products to the public. It is no small feat to make this happen at the end of our long winter. Congratulations and thank you to the builders, suppliers, staff and volunteers who created this amazing show.

This year’s show was the first with our new vision: to make Canada Blooms a cultural event involving more people throughout our community and industry. We hired Gerry Ginsberg as our new general manager. His experience in festivals and events, including the Edison Light Festival in Florida and the Niagara Wine and Grape Festival, was evident in the skillful execution of his first Canada Blooms. It started with a stunning opening night party and phenomenal news coverage, which led to an increase in attendance for 2008.

A special discounted ticket for attendees after 5 p.m. helped make the show more accessible and more fruitful for our vendors. Special events during the show, like the annual Unilock dinner on Friday evening, are always enjoyable.

This year we hosted an Industry Night event

that drew over 200 people.

Enigma Research was contracted this year to study our market and to help us build on our attendance of over 80,000. The spectacular gardens were once again noted as the number one attraction for our guests. Our sponsors have also benefited from the information collected, and it will be used to attract additional sponsors. The success of the 2008 show has made it clear to our vendors that this is a worthwhile show and demand for space in our marketplace is far ahead of this time last year.

A special thank you goes to David Turnbull and Charlie Dobbin, who again this year organized the materials and move-in. Their enthusiasm has not diminished and their guidance for new builders is invaluable.

For this show to be successful once again, we will need to involve new members and new ideas. With your help, Canada Blooms will continue to increase awareness of horticulture and educate the public about our central role in the green industry. Please visit our website www.canadablooms.com to find out how. We look forward to seeing you there March 18 to 22, 2009.

Respectfully submitted, Peter Guinane, Joyce Johnson Co-chairs: 2008

CNLA LO representative: Gerald Boot CLP What follows is a point-by-point summary of the issues being dealt with by our national association, Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association: Landscape Canada • Creation of a new position – Landscape Specialist (Liz Klose) • Held a Landscape Canada Summit in Toronto with participants from across the country • Working on developing term of references and committees for each of the priorities identified at the summit (labour shortage, public image, professional development, environmental importance, government support, membership and Skills Canada) • Red Seal application progressing • Keeping a strong voice at the Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC) • Hiring of consultant to do on-site job training • Now a member of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA), which gives

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access to its employee exchange program.

Growers Canada • Holding Domestic Phytosanitary Certification Program (DPCP) workshops to help growers to develop their certification manual. The government project ends on December 31, 2008, therefore all workshops held after this date will no longer be subsidized • Moving ahead with the Private Sector Risk management project (PSRMP) • Looking into private, semi-private and/or public crop insurance for our sector • Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA), which consists of representatives from CNLA, Flowers Canada and FIHOQ (Quebec), is working well and will hold a board meeting in December. It has secured funds from ACAAF for a market assessment and an economic impact study. We expect the report late fall 2008 • IPM registration • Developed two market studies – one for Scandinavia and one for China. As both studies indicate a strong potential, CNLA is now looking into funding trade missions.

Garden Centre Canada • Held a successful International Garden Centre Congress (IGCC) in Vancouver with over 175 delegates from over 15 countries • Had a booth at Garden Expo • Looking into the garden centre inspection program from the U.K. • Looking into re-usable plastic bags and truck liners for members • Certification committee held a one-day occupational analysis and is working at finalizing a report Certification • American program is going through many changes that may affect the Canadian program. Met in Kentucky in October, 2008, and brought back more answers. Possibility of linking all the designation under one main name and logo • Looking into a possible landscape certified company designation • Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) has been doing extremely well this year, with strong interest from the industry • CNLA is more involved administratively with the provinces to help support certification delivery Office and others: • Completed construction work to allow more

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

staff growth • Hired Kim Burton as design specialist and member services • Now offering administrative and recruiting support to the prairie associations, as well as continuing the services provided to the Atlantic region • Michelle Gregory has been promoted to provincial relations coordinator and Rebecca Wetselaar to provincial relations manager • Agnes Zawartka has been re-assigned to help the growers and landscapers’ portfolios while keeping some member services duties • Joseph Salemi is now in charge of public and government promotion • Weekly press releases have been going out and are being picked up by media • Now administering the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA), the Atlantic Regional Certification Council (ARCC), HortEast tradeshow and conference, the Manitoba Greenshow, The Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI), the Canadian Ornamental Horticultural Alliance (COHA) • Environment Committee is providing support to the LO committee for development of an environment scorecard and the development of a plastic recycling program • Encouraging provincial members to get involved in the Member Service Committee • CNLA Newsbrief is now available online at www.canadanursery.com • Next board meeting will be held in Winnipeg, in conjunction with the Manitoba Greenshow and the National Awards of Landscape Excellence ceremony, February 10-12, 2009 • Summer, 2009 – national meeting will take place in Calgary, the week before the Skills Canada Competition Respectfully submitted, Gerald Boot CLP CNLA representative

Congress and Garden Expo/ Florist Expo Chair: Brian Lofgren Vice-chair, Congress: Brian Cocks CHT Vice-chair, Garden Expo/Florist Expo: Beth Edney CLD Members: Bob Adams, Scott Beaudoin, Doug Coote, Barry Dickson, Nathan Helder, Michael Laporte CHT, Bob McCannell, Klaas Sikkema, Nick Solty, Monica van Maris, Bruce Warren Change is inevitable. Growth during periods of transition is unpredictable. The Congress Committee’s two major trade shows, Garden Expo/Florist Expo, October 16-17, 2007 and Congress 2008, January 8-10, 2008, achieved mixed results. Both events were held at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Garden Expo/Florist Expo’s net revenue declined 3.5 per cent, but was offset by a very satisfying 9.6 per cent increase in total net revenue for Congress. Visitor traffic held steady at Congress and decreased at Garden Expo/Florist Expo by a disappointing 15 per cent from the year 2006.

Garden Expo/Florist Expo 2007 Garden Expo/Florist Expo is Canada’s retail buying show for garden centres, gift boutiques, florists and mass merchant retailers with seasonal departments. Flowers Canada – Retail, Landscape Ontario’s partner in producing Florist Expo, underwent internal restructuring, staff changes and the establishment of new strategies. Sales performance in the Florist Expo section fell short of established goals as result of these new priorities.

The National Hardware Show Canada co-located for a second year with Garden Expo/Florist Expo. It gave attendees the opportunity to save time and money by attending both shows. Admission to one event entitled delegates to complimentary access to the other event. The number of exhibiting companies and the attendee traffic levels were stronger in the Garden Expo/Florist Expo building than in the hardware/home improvement sections.

The combined efforts of Landscape Ontario and Reed Exhibitions were hard-pressed to create enthusiasm among retailers, regardless of industry sector, to attend either show.

The Garden Centre Symposium and

Interiorscape Conference events, designed to enhance the business skills and knowledge of owners and managers in both sectors, were both down slightly in attendance.

Innovation drives sales in any industry. To aid garden centre and floral retailers in sourcing new products and suppliers, the New Product Showcase was launched at Garden Expo/Florist Expo 2007. Over 60 per cent of delegates who attended the 2007 show also visited the New Product Showcase. The success of this show feature is attributable to the merchandising skill of Bob McCannell, and the leadership and mentoring skills of Monica van Maris.

New committee member Michael Laporte and Lorraine Pigeon-Ivanoff, new show sales coordinator, provided the labour and coordination to create an outstanding feature.

Garden Expo/Florist Expo was sponsored by Braun Horticulture, Floralife, Flowers Canada – Toronto Chapter, Horta-Craft Limited, Qualitree Progagators, Sester Farms and Willowbrook Nurseries.

Landscape Ontario’s belief in producing a trade show for the outdoor living retail industry sector remains strong. The partnership with Flowers Canada Retail was terminated and replaced with a new partnership agreement with Flowers Canada – Toronto Chapter for 2008. The National Hardware Show Canada, following a survey to both exhibitors and attendees, has been terminated for 2008.

The decision, despite these changes, was to move forward and produce Garden & Florist Expo 2008.

Congress 2008 Congress, Canada’s largest horticultural, lawn and garden trade show and conference, offered four full days of education, products, vendors and networking opportunities, running from January 7-10, 2008. Delegates from all industry sectors, landscape architects, designers, contractors, grounds maintenance pros and others allied to the trades participated in the show.

The support and commitment of our sponsors make Congress one of the best industry events in Canada. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the sponsors and express our appreciation to Gold sponsors: Ariens, General Motors of Canada and John Deere; Silver sponsors: Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, Exmark Commercial Mowers, McCloskey International, Santerra Stonecraft and Bobcat and our Bronze sponsors: Radisson Suite Hotel Toronto Airport, Sittler Environmental, Turf Revolution and

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

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Education and Human Resources Committee Ontario Horticultural Human Resource Council (OHHRC) Chair: Tony DiGiovanni CHT Director: Sally Harvey CHT, CLP

Garden Expo/Florist Expo, 2007.

Vermeer Canada.

Exhibit space for Congress 2008 was sold out by November 30th. The demand for space at the event from companies wishing to expand their booths to display new products or accommodate new brands acquired through acquisitions and mergers remains strong. For the first time, a five per cent financial incentive was offered to companies. The caveat was that full payment on exhibit space renewal contracts had to be submitted by January 10th for Congress 2009. A number of companies took advantage of this offer.

The New Product Showcase is still one of the main draws at Congress. Congratulations to Monica van Maris, Michael Laporte and Klaas Sikkema, who designed and installed the New Product Showcase. Thanks also to Beth Edney for the floral displays.

Congress 2008 partnered with the Canadian Fence Industry Association to produce a “show within the show.” Fencecraft 2008 was successful and saw the introduction of a number of new vendors. Due to the national composition of the association, Fencecraft moves to Calgary in 2009 and will be replaced by The Green Forum in 2009.

Over 1,100 industry personnel participated in the Congress Conference. The success of the Conference relies on over 20 education partners working together with Landscape Ontario to promote the power of a knowledgeable workforce. The Conference offered over 35 sessions. Warm-up Monday, distinct in offering full-day specialty streams, continues to grow in popularity.

The Awards of Excellence program, held on January 9, spotlighted the high quality work created by Landscape Ontario members in design and construction categories.

Summary The newly named Garden & Florist Expo took place on October 21 and 22, 2008, and is followed on January 6 to 8, 2009

by Congress, featuring The Green Forum in partnership with Communities in Bloom, Project EverGreen and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

May I take this opportunity to thank the LO staff, volunteers and committee members resolved to stay the course during a year of unprecedented change. Change brought new life to the LO family. It is my pleasure to congratulate Brenda Speck, on becoming mother to Allison, and Pat Hillmer, who decided on early retirement to enjoy her new role as grandmother to granddaughter Sydney. Thank you ladies for sharing your skills, talents and accomplishments in organizing, creating and communicating with our vendors and members during your tenure at Landscape Ontario — you will be missed.

We would also like to welcome new staff members Gilles Bouchard, Lorraine PigeonIvanoff, Linda Nodello and Ken Tomihiro.

Our success stems from the dedication of volunteers who have proved that they are willing to lend a hand or sage advice whenever and wherever needed. The assistance, guidance and wisdom of the Show Committee members kept us on course and created positive and profitable results in 2007-2008.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Lofgren Chair, 2007-2008

Landscape Ontario’s 2008 Strategic Plan, developed by the leadership on the Board of Directors, identified education and labour development as top priorities for 2008. With that goal in mind, the department team has been very active in providing and promoting all education and labour development opportunities. Further, we saw the creation of the Human Resource Development Committee, which will communicate and align the multiple educational and labour development programs, both in existence and under development, with the five pillars of the Prosperity Partnership Program.

The five pillars of Prosperity identify five key areas of competence for business owners.

These include sales success, financial health, earning customers for life, professional operations and leadership excellence. The program starts with the basics of profitability, and then focuses on life/work balance, to help business owners achieve goals that reach beyond business.

Human resource development The Human Resource Development Committee met twice in 2008. Meetings in March and October 2008 were well attended. Discussion concentrated on details of programs in place and the opportunities to align all the initiatives to improve the quality of our existing and potential workforce. The underlying focus going forward is the development of a safe industry with high skill and competency levels, led by business owners and managers operating successful companies. We are pleased to announce that this committee is comprised of representatives from Ontario Horticultural Educators Council, OHEC, HOSTA, the Apprenticeship Industry Council for Landscape Horticulture, The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), CNLA, Landscape Ontario’s Education and Labour Development Department, the Certification Committee, and industry. Future meetings will strive to include

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

attendance by the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) and additional industry representation.

The Education and Labour Development department came into existence upon Terry Murphy’s retirement in late June. While our focus continues to be human resource development, we changed the department’s name to encompass our expanded team and corresponding responsibilities. We are now known as the Education and Labour Development Team. We are a small but mighty team engaged in creating educational and labour development opportunities for our industry: sponsoring regional youth training; promoting careers in landscape/horticulture; investigating and providing a solutions-based approach to training and human resource issues with career path counseling, development and maintenance of consistent and up-to-date standards and accreditation; recruitment of labour, and the delivery of the national certification programs, college and apprenticeship curriculum advice and support; industry safety training and development; human resource development assistance and industry liaison, and to take advantage of funding sources to enable advancement of all programs. Labour development and management is integral to the success of our industry. Our department takes this seriously, and therefore aims to enable this process within all of our activities.

Congress seminars Ken Tomihiro delivered important development opportunities to our industry with the Congress seminar series, and the various symposium programs that cater to LO’s commodity groups, including the snow and ice symposium, the interiorscape seminar, the garden centre symposium and the travelling IPM symposium.

Winter seminars Kathy McLean continued to enhance the Winter Professional Development Guide, which based on industry feedback, only gets better with each year. Last year we saw 1,300 industry members come through our doors in search of new skills and knowledge at 145 seminars.

Kathy continues to strive to hear the needs of the industry and to cater to those development requests within this format.

Ashleigh Woodhall actively assisted with the coordination of a record seven practical certification test days across the province. Seven test days held in Milton, Ottawa and Niagara region made it possible for industry and Specialist High Skills Major students to challenge the

Certified Horticultural Technician designation (CHT – Exterior, Interior, Retail Garden Centre). We also saw the certification test for Exterior Landscape change in nature starting on June 1, 2008, providing a challenge in the maintenance sector with two tests: Ornamental Maintenance or Turf Maintenance. The installation section was divided into Hardscape and Softscape Installation options. Candidates now have more realistic options when striving for their certification designation. We continue to inform CHT candidates in progress of the new format, and inform new candidates of the benefits of this new test format. Future focus will be on sustainable delivery models and opportunity for even more flexibility to deliver the tests.

In addition, industry continued to challenge the Certified Landscape Designer (CLD), and the Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) exams. The winter of 2008 brought the opportunity, made possible by the AAC and Landscape Ontario, to launch Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) training to the members in Ontario. The grant provided the development of a visual presentation of the concepts and theories by offering a more interactive format of learning, utilizing the CLP study materials. The program was well received across the province, with 91 candidates in progress, and the addition of 12 new CLPs in the province. Our goal in future is to challenge all business owners and those involved with association governance to pursue their CLP designation.

Certification is good business!

We are pleased that the industry across the country came together in 2008, united in terms of the definition of a landscape horticulturalist, accepted across the country. This definition document is being used to apply for Red Seal status for our Landscape Horticulture Apprenticeship application. We have CAHRC to thank for this new opportunity for our industry.

CAHRC is a sector council dedicated to the agricultural industry, that was formed to work closely with CNLA to bring more training and research projects to the landscape industry. If all goes well, employers will enjoy the benefits of Red Seal recognition across the country, including the various tax credits for candidates and employers. Apprenticeship programs are well underway again this year at various delivery agents across Ontario. Partnerships with various agencies are underway to support pre-apprenticeship proposals for 2009.

Future strategies include investigation of the formation of a partnership with the MTCU to

further enable apprenticeship registration and management.

Safe communities The Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP) continued to offer introductory safety programs across Ontario this past year.

Employers and representatives networked to develop basic safety policies and procedures within SCIP. Over 100 firms participate, and each has received a WSIB rebate. Our projected 2008 WSIB premium rates are reduced to $4.31 per $100 of wages, a 4.6 per cent reduction from last year. SCIP and safety groups have returned over $350,000 in incentives to the industry in the last five years.

The Landscape Ontario Safety Group also enjoyed success this year, with the commitment of dedicated industry leaders to recognize the need for, and to adopt and develop, positive safety cultures within their firms. This group met six times, networked and learned about old and new rules and regulations from MTO, WSIB and the Ministry of Labour. We receive many calls during the year from members, requesting updates from these agencies. I strongly suggest that all Landscape Ontario and industry members join SCIP or our Safety Group, to remain up-to-date on all safety regulations, and to promote safety within your organizations.

I know it made a positive difference for our company. Safety is smart business!

We are pleased to announce that the premiums remained stable this year, while many rate codes did increase, based on actual results. We know that the safety group and SCIP programs contribute to awareness and prevention, providing these positive results.

We continued our focus on youth and teachers this year with continued support of the Specialist High Skills Major programs (SHSM), and co-op programs. The SHSM program continues to expand across the province.

The Ministry of Education launched the new green industries curriculum for high schools in October of 2008, with compulsory application and adoption in selected technical education schools planned for September 2009. We celebrate the fact that we are the first trade to have a specific secondary school curriculum devoted to its industry. With that in mind, I urge you to consider participating in the “Adopt a High School Program” in 2009. Go to: http://www. landscapeontario.com/attach/1193668931.

Adopt_a_High_School_screen_version.pdf for additional information. The merits for all are obvious: industry partners with youth; industry raises awareness of the industry and the

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 workforce, and also creates demand as our young people will indeed be potential consumers of our products and services in future. Our youth join our industry and become gainfully employed and an amazing industry. It’s a winwin situation!

Career days Career days and job fairs continue to be important, with a small twist. Our department will continue to represent the industry at career fairs and apprenticeship fairs, etc., however, we will adjust our approach with the job fairs. Going forward, we will support as many job fairs as possible by advertising them to our members in local areas. This new strategy originates from the fact that potential employees at job fairs are looking for tangible employment from our membership, thus we have decided to notify all local members in the vicinity of job fairs. Landscape Ontario will supply table top displays and as many resources as possible. What an opportunity for employers and new employees.

The Education and Labour Development Department looks forward to progressively fulfilling the objectives identified by the association’s membership in regards to training, education and human resource development and management. We will continue to energetically pursue all opportunities and create sustainable models for all programs and initiatives.

On behalf of our department, I would like to express our thanks for the privilege to work for, and with, our industry and association staff over the past six months, striving towards our goal to elevate the level of professionalism, which will be sure to result in the advancement of the industry.

Thank you all for this opportunity, as we embark on an exciting year ahead.

Respectfully submitted, Sally Harvey CHT, CLP Manager, Education and Labour Development Team

Environmental Stewardship Chair: Nathan Helder Members: Susan Antler, Scott Terrio, Sally Harvey CLP, Connie Cadotte CLD, Ken Parker, Ted Spearing, Tom Intven, Anthony Kampen, John Lamberink CIT, Chris Le Conte, Jennifer Llewellyn, Keith Osborne, Art VandenEnden CHT, Alan White

As green industry members, we are all environmentalists by definition. Our day-to-day activities influence the environment in a positive manner, but at times may also be viewed as negative. Therefore, the Environmental Stewardship Committee was formed in 2007.

Members of the committee provide excellent representation of the horticultural industry.

It was a very successful year for the Environmental Stewardship Committee. The group drafted a mandate at its first meeting: “To enhance environmental stewardship activities within the horticultural industry and help the green industry understand its significance and contribution with respect to the environment; and to raise public awareness of the environmental benefits from green industry activities.”

As a committee, we felt it very important that before spreading the word to the public and defending our actions, the industry should first get its own house in order. We decided to conduct an environmental scan of the horticultural industry. Once the scan was complete, we will draft an environmental scorecard, develop a best green practices/educational program and implement an accreditation/certification – marketing program.

In the fall of 2007, the Environmental Stewardship Committee sent out a questionnaire, or “environmental scan,” to each of LO’s 10 commodity groups to gather feedback and information.

We asked the following questions: • What are you doing that enhances environmental stewardship?

• What issues are affecting your commodity from an environmental perceptive?

• What are you most worried about?

Each commodity group responded in a positive way, and the committee began to develop an environmental scorecard. The committee did not realize the amount of work that was needed to develop the scorecard, however, CNLA graciously provided two staff members to help with the project. Throughout the summer of 2008, staff from LO and CNLA and some committee members worked diligently to draft an environmental scorecard for members to rate themselves on the best environmental practices within our industry. Information for this card was taken from a number of sources, including the EcoBiz program, BOMA, Environment Canada, OMAFRA, The City of Waterloo’s Smart about Salt Program, as well as many others. A draft version has been completed, and it is being sent out to a number of different groups for review. The intent is to make this

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applicable to all commodity groups, across the country. The scorecard will be used as a tool to jump-start members’ creativity, and get them to think about their impact on the environment.

At the beginning of the year, the committee worked with the Congress Committee and Communities in Bloom to develop the Green Forum. In February, Landscape Ontario set up its own green office committee to focus on recycling, reducing waste and composting. One of the immediate results has been that the LO committee decided to make its meetings paperless, to avoid duplication and waste of paper.

I would like to recognize my fellow committee members, staff from LO and CNLA for their dedication and contributions. I look forward to working with them all in further developing the Environmental Scorecard, Best Green Practices and educational seminars and future accreditation program.

Respectfully submitted, Nathan Helder, Chair 2007-2008

Farm Safety Association Executive chair: Peter Olsen The year 2008 was busier than ever. Nurseries and greenhouses have come under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Summer 2007). These companies have been (and some still are) busy making sure their required safety standards are met. The Farm Safety Association is heavily involved to ensure these businesses accomplish this. If you find that you would like to have some help with your company’s safety regulations, call the Farm Safety Association office at 1-800-361-855, or www.farmsafety. ca. You can’t afford not to, as it‘s just good business sense.

Some of the issues that the Farm Safety Association is deeply involved in are: • WHMIS train-the-trainer sessions so that firms can train their own people within the required time frame.

• Developing a supervisor training awareness session.

• Working with the industry to create awareness of the need for new and young worker job instruction.

• Continuing to work with local chapters to increase awareness of the need for continued safety programs.

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• Developing a joint health and safety representative awareness session.

Slips, trips and falls, as well as ergonomicrelated injuries, are the most common causes of time lost to injuries. Awareness of this fact is crucial. FSA is continually on the job dealing with these incidents. Last year we posted a challenge to LO members, “Identify the most prevalent sprain or strain complaints in your workplace and take steps to control the hazard.”

How did you make out? Could you identify them and the causes? Are you better off for it? You should be. Take a moment to think about it.

The biggest undertaking that the FSA board has been involved in this year is the restructuring of the board. This board of 20 members is being downsized to a board of 12. There will be nine directors-at-large who will be selected from an advisory council. There will be two members appointed by the WSIB. The president of the Association shall be ex-officio director, but without voting privileges. This gives us a total of 12. Any member with WSIB coverage may seek election to the board. All nominated directors must file a signed, written nomination by fax, mail or other electronic document recording device to the secretary of the board

by December 1st of each year, prior to the next scheduled annual meeting (March).

Finally, I would like to thank Dean Anderson and his very capable staff of the Farm Safety Association for a job well done this year.

Respectfully submitted, Peter Olsen Executive chair, 2008

IPM Symposium Chair: Monica van Maris Committee: Bob Adams, Pam Charbonneau, Jennifer Llewellyn, Jeff Lowartz CHT, Doug Smith, Gerald Stephenson, Kyle Tobin, Eric Trogdon, Violet Van Wassenaer and John Wright The IPM Symposium is designed to interest all commercial pesticide applicators, parks and golf course technicians, as well as lawn and turf care professionals.

In order to stimulate interest and attendance at the IPM Symposium, the 43rd annual presentations followed the pattern developed in 2007, where individual city dates were paired with other events when possible. The following

dates were selected: • January 7 in Toronto (paired with Congress) • February 14 in Ottawa (paired with GreenTrade Expo) • March 4 in Barrie • March 5 in London.

Snow storms affected attendance at both the Ottawa and London events, but the surveys revealed high satisfaction with the programs.

Final registration for the Symposium was 581, which is only 10 registrations less than the previous year. The program also generated a total of $7,742.78, which was transferred to the IPM Fund, within the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation, to provide funding for future research grants.

The 2008 IPM Symposium program was coordinated by Pat Hillmer of Landscape Ontario, prior to her retirement. On behalf of the committee and all of this year’s participants, we thank her for the excellent program she put together.

On a very significant note, Monica van Maris is stepping down after more than 35 years as chair of the IPM Symposium Committee.

Monica deserves special recognition for her contributions in leading this program to become a major annual event and a significant contributor to the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

Thank you to Monica for the many years of hard work. The committee can only hope to continue the path of success Monica set for this program.

The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Dr. Gerald Stephenson of the University of Guelph, as well as industry sector representatives. Mark Goodman of Enviroking will step in as the committee chair for 2009.

The committee is considering the comments from past attendees as it continues to work for a strong and improved program.

Looking to 2009, pending regulations on pesticide use will greatly impact the industry and the committee feels that IPM will have an even more significant role to play in ensuring healthy environments and as a result, the IPM Symposium program will become an even more important event for operators to attend.

Respectfully submitted, Ken Tomihiro on behalf of the IPM Symposium

Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation Chair: John Wright Members: Bob Allen, Barry Benjamin, Brian Cocks CHT, Hank Gelderman CHT, Ben Kobes, John Peets, Mike Thomas, Marc Thiebaud, Dave Turnbull CHT, Neil Vanderkruk, Monica van Maris, Howard Stensson The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation is the research and scholarship arm of Landscape Ontario. The Foundation’s mandate is to ensure a healthy future for the horticultural industry, through financial support of research and scholarships funded through interest generated on capital investments.

The capital in the Foundation has continued to grow, despite very little organized fundraising. Most of the funds are generated through association events and activities.

Donations The Foundation would like to thank this year’s donors: Michael Gregorasz, Paul Grobe, Willi Hessenthaler, Joerg Leiss, Anibal Mancilla, David Smith, Mario Stellato, Monica van Maris, John Wright, Armstrong Landscapes, Design and Construction, Avalon Landscaping Technoligies, Barry Benjamin and Associates, Bolliger Landscapes, Brownridge Greenhouse and Nursery, Cambridge Landscaping, Cameron Landscaping, Dekorte’s Landscape, Earthscape Ontario, Eastbrooke Contracting, Enviroscape Incorporated, Forever Green Lawn and Landscape, Georgina Garden Centre, Green Masters Landscaping, GunnDuncan Landscaping, GW Lawn Maintenance, IPM Symposium, J. Garfield Thompson Landscaping, Knights Property Maintenance, Landscape Ontario – Scholarship Fund, Nutrilawn – Ottawa, Omega Landscape Gardening, Oriole Landscaping, Paysagement Trillium Landscaping, Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board, Pesticide Industry Council, Petries Quality Topsoil, Silver Creek Gardens, Sunsational Landscapes, Underhill Landscape, Van Maris Holdings, Woods Lawn and Landscape, Yorkshire Garden Services.

Providing scholarships is particularly close to the hearts of Foundation supporters, who point with pride to the many recipients who are now successful industry members. This

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 year we distributed $23,000 in scholarships to students enrolled in horticultural programs across the province.

The Foundation is especially pleased to encourage high school students to enter the landscape industry by offering scholarship opportunities as they begin their careers. This year the Foundation initiated a new scholarship program, Scholarships for new High School Graduates.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Post Secondary Scholarship ($1,000): Michael Barrett Algonquin Ty Baynton Fanshawe John Boot Niagara Parks Rebecca Cooke Algonquin Blair DeLazzes Niagara Parks Daniella Giovanatto University of Guelph Riley Irwin Fanshawe Martin Jones St. Clair Lesley Misner Niagara Parks Leigh-Anne Nielsen Algonquin Ashley Palmer Algonquin Amber Paxton Fanshawe Gillian Perry St. Clair Gregory Rooke Niagara Parks Mary Stewart Algonquin Stacey Trealout Fanshawe Wenying Wang Seneca High School Scholarship ($1,000): Cerise Kirkham Niagara Patrick McCrory Fanshawe Justin Nicol Niagara Parks Luke Serbina Niagara Parks Casey van Maris Memorial Scholarship ($1,000): Dianne Raycraft Niagara College Tony DiGiovanni Scholarship ($1,000): Richard Fournier Fanshawe The Adopt a High School Scholarship Program was launched in August, 2006. LO members were able to sponsor a $500 scholarship in their high school in their area, for a student entering a post-secondary horticultural program. There are approximately 12 companies participating in this program. To date, four scholarships have been given out to high school students entering a university or college horticultural program.

Legacy Lounge This year at Congress 2008, the Foundation hosted the Legacy Lounge for the pioneers of

the industry. Approximately 50 pioneers visited the lounge to talk about old times, what is happening now in the industry and what they hope will happen in the future. It was a way to thank them for the contribution to the industry. The lounge was a friendly spot to sit, relax, talk with others and enjoy refreshments. The Foundation would like to thank the following companies who sponsored the Legacy Lounge: Ariens Bayer Environmental Science Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Echo Power Equipment (Canada) G&L/Draglam Developments Greenhorizons Group of Farms Kubota Canada Moore Water Gardens Nutrite Oaks Concrete Products Stihl Sure-Gro/Spectrum Brands Vanden Bussche Irrigation Research programs The Foundation has also contributed to many research programs. In 2008, the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation contributed a total of $82,787.83 to the following projects: • University of Guelph: $59,420.40 to develop a strategy for reducing leachate and enhancing irrigation and fertility management in container culture • University of Guelph: $5,400 for biology and control of maple tar spots • Landscape Ontario: $13,000 for CHT certification test site sponsorship (Ottawa) • University of Guelph : $2,610.82 for taxonomy and digital identification of insects • OMAFRA: $2,356.61 for summer research position at the University of Guelph (Pam Charbonneau and Jen Llewellyn) Two fundraising programs were developed: • “In Memoriam” card for members to contribute a memorial gift to help support Ontario’s horticulture industry. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt.

• Donation card for members and others to contribute to sustain Ontario’s horticulture industry through research and scholarships.

Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt.

The Foundation committee is presently working on other fundraisers for 2008/2009.

On a personal note, Howard Stensson has retired from the committee. The group thanked him for his contribution and wished him well.

Thank you to all the members of the

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Foundation for their efforts and participation over the past year.

Respectfully submitted, John Wright Chair 2007-2008

Pesticide Industry Council Chair: John Wright Secretary: Tony DiGiovanni CHT Manager PIC-PTP: Tom Somerville The Pesticide Industry Council has worked with the Ontario Ministry of Environment since 2000 to meet the new requirements of the Pesticide Act (Ontario Regulation 914). Under these regulations, anyone who applies pesticides must be either licensed or have technician status. Now all unlicensed assistants working with licensed exterminators must complete a basic pesticide safety course in order to legally apply pesticides. The Pesticide Technician Program meets the new requirements. The PTP is a basic two-part safety program that incorporates both practical and academic components in the training requirements.

The Pesticide Industry Council was formed on behalf of the pesticide industry by LO’s Lawn Care Commodity Group to administer the Pesticide Technician Program. Landscape Ontario is the administrator of the Pesticide Technician Program on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

The Pesticide Industry Council had another successful year in 2008. It operated at a profit for the seventh consecutive year.

The number of PIC-PTP program participants for 2008 is down from the last few years. This drop in participation is likely due to the municipal bans that came into play. Six new people became qualified PIC examiners and a little over 1,000 technicians joined the program.

The Pesticide Industry Council (PIC) is a council of councils. Its members include: Hydro One, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, Professional Lawn Care Association, Urban Pest Management Council, Crop Protection Institute, International Society of Arboriculture, Ontario Parks Association, Ontario Vegetation Management Association, Structural Pest Management Association, and Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades

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Association.

Special thanks to Tom Somerville and Tony DiGiovanni for their hard work over the past year.

Respectfully submitted, John Wright Chair, 2007-2008

Prosperity Partners Chair: Bob Tubby CLP Members: Gerald Boot CLP, Hank Gelderman CHT, Jacki Hart CLP, Sally Harvey CLP, Robert Wilton I am very pleased to submit the inaugural Prosperity Partners Committee annual report.

Allow me, first, to describe the brief history of the program and then to list our accomplishments to date.

The program was born in 2006 in the wake of our past president Gerald Boot’s call to take Landscape Ontario to the next level.

The program was conceived by asking this question: How can we help our members take their businesses onward and upward?

When we considered how we might be of help, we concluded that, on the whole, our members and their employees were very skilled in the application of their particular trades. At the same time, many members were struggling with the challenges of labour retention, low profitability and obstacles in general business administration.

It occurred to us that the way to help solve these issues was to help our members become better business people. At the same time, we wanted to create a program based on the cooperation and involvement of LO and its members. It would be a partnership, of sorts, where members would work with each other and LO towards a common goal. It didn’t take long for Tony DiGiovanni to coin the phrase ’Prosperity Partners,’ and we were off to the races.

The next step was to form a ‘Prosperity Task Force’ to help design a program that would not only dispense business management information, but also help participants evaluate their own strengths and challenges.

As the chair of the task force, Bob Wilton commissioned the Value Profit Group (a private consulting firm specializing in adult education) and Jacki Hart CLP (LO member) to write the first seminar, now called the introductory seminar. This seminar has been delivered by Jacki many times to rave reviews, with many partici-

pants eagerly awaiting further offerings.

Another important piece of the prosperity puzzle was the development of our mentorship component. We solicited business-savvy members to assist participants who want to have some face-to-face time with someone who would listen to their story and help to point them in the right direction. We have about 20 member/mentor pairs in place now. The mentor relationships that have been formed are working well and have proved a great form of education for both mentor and participant. To qualify as a mentor, candidates participate in a one-day mentor seminar, also developed by the V.P.G. and Jacki.

More recent accomplishments include the development of an online skills inventory tool (to be used as a primer to the program), a second seminar called ‘Best Practices,’ which builds on the introductory seminar by detailing the policies and procedures used by our most successful companies, and the recruitment of additional trainers from among our ranks.

Also, now all new member companies will be asked to attend the introductory seminar. This seminar will include an orientation to LO and could prove to become one of our greatest membership benefits.

This is exciting! The committee has enjoyed creating this program on the fly. What we have accomplished to date is only a part of our collective dream.

Thanks are due to everyone who has helped to create and develop the program, and especially to those who have participated in its offerings. Together, we truly are partners in prosperity.

Respectfully submitted, Bob Tubby CLP Chair, Prosperity Partners Committee

Publishing Chair: Hank Gelderman CHT Members: Gerald Boot CLP, Laura Catalano, Marty Lamers and Bob Tubby CLP The Landscape Ontario Publishing Committee is pleased to participate in LO’s print communications initiatives, and proud of its role in serving the association and the green industry. We feel the magazines are vital to bring industry members together into a community.

In addition, revenue generated from the publications and special projects is important for funding LO’s broader initiatives. Year-end

numbers showed a slight drop in net revenue — advertisers are showing some caution in light of a slower economy. However, our magazines’ position as the strongest, most credible, best-targeted horticultural trade publications in Canada will serve our sales profile well.

Landscape Trades continues to provide Canada’s horticulture industry with exclusive business information. The October Source Book is the only source guide for our industry, and accuracy of its information has improved, thanks to LO’s custom online database system.

A special issue of Landscape Trades published in June provided timely and useful information on green marketing.

The special sense of belonging that LO members feel is reflected in the pages of Horticulture Review. This member publication showcases member activities — sector group initiatives, chapter projects, training events, Foundation gifts, certification — an endless list of association news. Members read HR cover-to-cover with pride and interest.

In 2008, we began distributing an online version of Horticulture Review, expanding its accessibility. Members may choose to add any or all staffers to the electronic HR distribution list. In addition, many subscribers are opting to receive the electronic version only, a green choice to conserve resources.

This year also saw the second advertising-supported edition of the Congress On-site Show Guide. The Publishing Department proposed the project for Congress 2007, selling ads in the Guide for the first time, to offset production costs. The project was successful in 2007, with increased sales in 2008.

On top of the publications, special projects, and print promotion service for other LO initiatives, we achieved a long-time goal in 2008: launching the revitalized trade website, www.horttrades. com. Staff and committee members alike are proud with the site’s improved organization, and that our Internet presence has finally reached a level appropriate for LO, North America’s most vibrant horticultural trades association.

In closing, I offer thanks to LO staff members for their energy and professionalism, and gratitude to my fellow committee members for their commitment and guidance.

Respectfully submitted, Hank Gelderman CHT Chair, 2007-2008

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

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2008 Volunteers Abate Wori Abate Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities Ken Adair Garden Maintenance Only Randy Adams RM Adams Trucking Ltd. Robert Adams Adams Lawncare Inc. Walter Afanasiew CIT Aqua Turf Sprinkler Systems Bob Allen RW Allen Horticultural Services Inc. Ross Allin Creative Gardens & Waterscapes Sheila Allin Creative Gardens & Waterscapes Chris Andrews Ian Andrews Greenwood Interlock Susan Antler The Composting Council of Canada Vince Arone Pinpoint GPS Solutions Inc. Danny Bacon City of Mississauga Jarrod Barakett Deer Ridge Golf Course Rob Baxby Nutri-Lawn Kingston/Belleville Scott Beaudoin Greendale Garden Products Susan Beduhn Horticare Landscaping Barry Benjamin Barry Benjamin & Associates Pamela Bingham LUNA Gerald Boot CLP Boot’s Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd. Neil Bouma Picture Perfect Landscaping Quinte Ltd. Gerwin Bouman Stam Nurseries Inc. Thom Bourne CIT Nutri-Lawn – Ottawa John Bowen Hydro One Networks Inc. Dave Braun Braun Nursery Limited Bart Brusse Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. Paul Brydges Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc.

John Buikema Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd. Phil Bull Green Leaf Gardening & Property Services Cor Bultena Eloquip Ltd. Owen Burmania Sunsational Landscapes Inc. Daryl Bycraft CHT Bycraft Gardens Diana Cassidy-Bush Fresh Landscape & Garden Solutions Laura Catalano Nisco National Leasing Harry Chang Humber College Phil Charal Allweather Landscape Co. Ltd. Pam Charbonneau Guelph Turfgrass Institute Patrick Charest Permacon Ottawa Don Chase CLD Terry Childs Nature’s Way Landscaping Dr. Calvin Chong Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario Brian Clegg Allweather Landscape Co. Ltd. Dan Clost CHT Connon Nurseries/CBV Holdings Inc. Brian Cocks CHT Brian Cocks Nursery & Landscaping Michelle Cocks CHT Brian Cocks Nursery & Landscaping Douglas Coote DG Coote Enterprises Tim Cradduck Tim Cruickshanks Cruickshanks Property Services Inc. Peter Cullen Cullen Landscaping Ltd. Glenda Curtis Gavin Dawson GreenLawn Ltd. Toronto West Caroline de Vries TradeWinds International Sales Co. Inc. Mike DeBoer CHT Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd. Darcy DeCaluwe Stone in Style Ltd.

Harold Deenen CLP Hank Deenen Landscaping Ltd. Paul DeGroot Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc. Dennis Del Vecchio Entire Landscapes Inc. Phil Dickie Fast Forest Barry Dickson BR Dickson Equipment Inc. Frank DiMarco DiMarco Landscape Lighting Charlie Dobbin Garden Solutions by Charlie Dobbin Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP Thornbusch Landscaping Company James Doyle Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada Lindsay Drake Nightingale Yorkshire Garden Services Inc. Tim Dyer Kings Creek Trees Beth Edney CLD Designs By The Yard Inc. David Emms Midhurst Property Service Janet Ennamorato Creative Garden Designs Jim Ferguson Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Ltd. Jason Fleming Moonlighting Outdoor Lighting Carol Fulford Gerrits Property Services Inc. John Fulford Gerrits Property Services Inc. Dan Garlatti Garlatti Landscaping Inc. Paul Gaspar Weed Man – Toronto Andrew Gaydon Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Ltd. Hank Gelderman CHT Harry Gelderman Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd. Gail Gibbons Gibber’s Maintenance Inc. Gillian Glazer John Deere

Landscapes Ltd. Sabrina Goettler Oriole Landscaping Ltd. Michael Goldman Ontario Pest Control Association Laurie Goodman Enviroking Lawn Care Ltd. Mark Goodman Enviroking Lawn Care Ltd. Kees Govers Caradoc Green Roofs Ltd. (liveroof) Chris Graham Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens Earle Graham Lakelands Irrigation Jeff Gregg V Kraus Nurseries Limited Perry Grobe Grobe Nursery & Garden Centre Peter Guinane Oriole Landscaping Ltd. Jerry Hakkers Sifton Properties Ltd. Grant Harrison CHT Clintar Groundskeeping Services – London Rohan Harrison Premier Turf Inc. Jacki Hart CLP Water’s Edge Landscaping Steve Hary The Landscape Company Inc. Walter Hasselman Dutchman’s Landscaping Ltd. Carl Hastings Reed Lorne Haveruk CIT DH Water Management Services Inc. John Hawkes Wayside Garden Market & Groundskeeping Ltd. Mike Hayes Allgreen Tree Service Inc. Jennifer Hayman Jennifer Hayman Design Group Ryan Heath CLP Ryan Heath Professional Landscaping Nathan Helder Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd. Cory Hendrick Dynamic Property

Services Edward Hewis Ground Control Contracting John Hewson Greenscape Lawn Maintenance John Higo Turf Care Products Canada – Scarborough David Holmlund D Holmlund Landscaping Barry Hordyk Shademaster Landscaping Leon Hordyk Moonshadow Lighting Inc. Martin Horsman Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd. Judith Humphries CLD A Garden For All Seasons Inc. Mark Humphries Humphries Landscape Services Harry Hutten CIT Select Sprinklers Tom Intven Canadale Nurseries Ltd. Kevin Jensen Turf Care Joan Johnston Peter Knippel Nursery Inc. Sarah Johnston Greenlife Raymond Josephian Nightscaping Anthony Kampen Boot’s Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd. Tim Kearney CLP Garden Creations of Ottawa Ltd. John Keenan Wright Lawn Care Service Ltd. Darrell Kekanovich CHT Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. Robert Kennaley McLauchlin & Associates Hella Keppo CHT Stems Interior Landscaping Rob Kerr Kerr & Kerr Landscaping & Property Maintenance Inc. Christoph Kessel Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs University of Guelph - Hort Science Vince Kishimoto

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

2008 Volunteers Alice Klamer Blue Sky Nursery Karl Klinck Orchard Farm Nursery Ltd. Allan Kling Urban Garden Supply Co. Ltd. Ben Kobes Kobes Nurseries Inc. Ron Koudys CLD Fanshawe College Terry Kowalski Kowalski Landscaping John Ladds Turf Management Systems Inc. John Lamberink CIT Aquality Irrigation and Illumination Chris Langendoen Willowbrook Nurseries Inc. Michael Laporte CHT Orchestra Landscapes Ltd. Tammy Lawrence Turf Revolution Chas Lawton CHT Taylor Nursery Eugene Lazier Lawn Care Professionals Chris Le Conte Smart Watering Systems Anne Lesperance Turf Care Products Canada Ltd. Michel Levesque Fafard et Freres, Ontario Sales Shannon Lindensmith Georgina Garden Centre Jennifer Llewellyn Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, University of Guelph - Hort Science Brian Lofgren Horta-Craft Limited Anthony Lombardi CLD Oriole Landscaping Ltd. Russel Loney Loney Landscaping Ltd. Arvils Lukss Landscapes By Lucin Glen Lumis University of Guelph Steve Macartney CIT Raintree Irrigation & Outdoor Systems Brad Malton Agra Turf Equipment Services Inc. Len Mancini Holland Park Garden Gallery

Brian Marsh Townscaping Inc. Bob McCannell McCannell Consulting Jim McCracken Hugh McCracken Limited o/a McCracken Landscape Design Keith McDow McDow Landscaping and Maintenance Jeff McMann CHT Burke McNeill Don McQueen CIT Nutri-Lawn Oakville/Hamilton Norm Mills The Gardenin’ Guy Hank Mollema TerraPro Corporation Jim Monk Markham Property Services John Moons Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc. Garry Moore CHT Bruce Morton CLP, CIT Greenscape Watering Systems Ltd. Jay Murray CLP TLC Professional Landscaping David Nemeth Elm Landscaping Colin Nisbet National Golf Course Owner Association Amin Nizami Oasis Garden Creations Darcy Olds Aventis John O’Leary CHT Clintar Groundskeeping Services Paul Olsen Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Ltd. Peter Olsen Royal City Nursery Keith Osborne Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd. Mark Ostrowski Laurel Forest Farms Nanthakumar Paramanathan Michael Pascoe CHT Fanshawe College Danny Passmore Frechette Lawncare Warren Patterson Botanix Barrie’s Garden Centre Bill Peel Moore Park Plantscapes

John Peets John Peets Landscaping Fiona Penn Zieba Fiona’s Garden Gate John Perriman Mountview Services Inc. Frans Peters Humber Nurseries Ltd. Nick Pisano National Research Council Canada Fred Post CLD www.Your Designer Landscapes Inc. Chris Power Bellaire Landscape Inc. Fred Prescod CHT Plan It With Plants Lisa Purves CHT Lisa Purves Garden Design and Consultation John Putzer M. Putzer Hornby Nursery Ltd. Robert Richards Holland Valley Garden Centre Susan Richards New North Greenhouses Jay Rivait Lakeshore Landscaping Matt Robertson CIT Upper Canada Mulch & Nursery Supplies Inc. Darren Rodrigues Sinclair-Cockburn Insurance Brokers Mike Ross Robert Roszell Road Equipment Links Gregg Salivan Salivan Landscape Ltd. Victor Santacruz Canadian Nursery Landscape Association John Scanlon Estate Lighting Supply Ltd. Greg Scarlett CHT Urban Landscape Solutions Stephen Schell CHT The Plant Lady Inc. Todd Schwindt TS Benefit Solutions Haig Seferian CLD Seferian Design Group Gord Shuttleworth Delaware Nursery Ltd. Klaas Sikkema Arthur Skolnik Shibui Landscaping Irwin Smith Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.

Jeff Smith Lynden Lawn Care Susan Smith Ambiance Dave Soepboer Soepboer Ventures Incorporated. o/a KNK Lawn Care James Solecki Integra Works Nick Solty Solty and Sons Ltd. Fred Somerville Somerville Nurseries Inc. Ted Spearing Ground Covers Unlimited Tyler Speirs Rouge River Landscapes Patricia Stanish CLD Landscape Design Karl Stensson Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. David Stewart CHT Custom Lawn Care Ron Swentiski CLD Trillium Associates Donald Tellier St. Clair College Jay Terryberry St. Clair College Robert Tester TNT Property Maintenance Marc Thiebaud OGS Grounds Maintenance Specialist Rene Thiebaud CLP OGS Landscape Services Mike Thomas The Investment Guild Jeff Thompson Native Plant Source Willem Tiemersma Willand Grounds Maintenance Peter Tigchelaar Urban Green Kyle Tobin LawnSavers Plant Healthcare Koos Torenvliet Environmental Design Landscaping Contractors Ltd. Rodger Tschanz University of Guelph Steve Tschanz Turf Management Systems Inc. Bob Tubby CLP Arbordale Landscaping/ Moonstruck Landscape Lighting David Turnbull CHT David Turnbull & Associates

Lianne Unwin CHT Moore Park Plantscapes George Urvari Oriole Landscaping Ltd. Phillip Van Alstyne CHT Bruce Van Haastrecht Hometurf Lawn Care Inc. Louis Van Haastrecht Dr. Green Services Monica van Maris Van Maris Holdings John van Staveren The Garden Shop Darilyn Vanclief Willowlee Sod Farms Ltd. Kurt Vanclief Willowlee Sod Farms Ltd. Art Vanden Eden CHT Sheridan Nurseries (Whitby) Ltd. Neil Vanderkruk Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc. Peter Vanderley Pete Vanderley’s Lawn Maintenance & Landscape Services Brian VanDyk Landtech Design Landscape Don Voorhees Noldus of Durham Bruce Warren Clintar Groundskeeping Services Mark Weavers Alan White Turf Systems Inc. Bruce Wilson Permacon Group Robert Wilton Clintar Groundskeeping Services Dale Winstanley Dale’s Gardening & Landscaping Inc. Welwyn Wong Welwyn Wong Landscape Design David Wright Wright Landscape Services John Wright Wright Lawn Care Service Ltd. Chuck Yates CIT Yates Custom Lawn Sprinklers Fiore Zenone Tumbleweed Lawncare and Landscaping Helmut Zgraja Helmutz Interlock Inc. Youbin Zheng

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

BALANCE SHEET

2007

Audited

Statements Assets Cash 130,062 Investments 1,806,851 Accrued Interest 119,543 Accounts Receivable 1,707,762 Prepaid Expenses 613,604 Building 1,254,137 Total Assets 5,631,959

Liabilities & Surplus

Accounts Payable 299,961 Accounts Payable-garden Centre Group 41,193 Accounts Payable-growers Group (762) Accounts Payable-ipm Symposium 1,600 Accounts Payable-special Projects 224,163 Deferred Revenue 2,717,485 Hort. Centre Improvement Fund 672,227 Hort. Industry Development Fund 312,629 Technology Fund 45,205 Promotion Fund 1,920 Surplus-members Equity 1,046,568 Net Income 269,770 Total Liabilities & Surplus 5,631,959

2008 Audited Statements 380,613 1,706,851 171,290 1,677,399 619,886 1,254,137 5,810,176

424,206 28,601 (1,664) 1,424 181,429 2,675,739 773,256 355,983 36,709 4,986 1,046,568 282,939 5,810,176

FUND ALLOCATIONS

2007

Audited

Statements Horticultural Industry Development Fund Opening Balance 338,376 Expenditures (80,916) Industry Funding/donations 55,169 Transfer From Net Income 119,885 Closing Balance 432,514

Horticultural Centre Improvement Fund Opening Balance 707,159 Expenditures (34,932) Transfer From Net Income 119,885 Closing Balance 792,112

Technology Fund Opening Balance 46,123 Expenditures (918) Transfer From Net Income 10,000 Closing Balance 55,205

Promotion Fund Opening Balance 20,000 Expenditures (18,080) Transfer From Net Income 20,000 Closing Balance 21,920

2008 Audited Statements 432,514 (165,281) 88,750 131,469 487,452 792,112 (18,856) 131,469 904,725 55,205 (18,497) 0 36,709 21,920 (16,934) 20,000 24,986

43

44 

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY

2007 2008 2008 2009 2010

Audited Audited Revised Revised Proposed

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets Budgets Revenue General 228,975 245,351 217,000 252,500 252,500 Membership 943,129 995,710 955,000 995,000 995,000 Publications 1,055,040 1,024,103 1,011,500 1,012,500 1,012,500 Congress 1,686,754 1,845,628 1,729,675 1,962,000 1,962,000 Garden Expo 624,398 606,542 637,000 637,000 637,000 Education 234,306 240,701 220,000 235,000 235,000 Total Revenue 4,772,602 4,958,035 4,770,175 5,094,000 5,094,000

Expenses General 2,065,852 2,136,352 2,163,500 2,438,500 2,438,500 Membership 531,628 554,742 560,376 587,980 587,980 Publications 431,114 438,638 439,550 411,250 411,250 Congress 920,539 973,884 984,000 1,043,785 1,043,785 Garden Expo 307,198 304,624 324,350 331,680 331,680 Education 246,500 266,856 251,500 182,000 182,000 Total Expenses 4,502,831 4,675,097 4,723,276 4,995,195 4,995,195

Net Income(Loss) 269,770 282,939 46,899 98,805 98,805

INCOME STATEMENT - EDUCATION

2007 2008 2008 2009

Audited Audited Revised Revised

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets

Revenue Special Projects 29,275 24,604 15,000 10,000 Trade Courses 155,910 153,658 155,000 175,000 Certification 49,120 62,439 50,000 50,000 Total Revenue 234,306 240,701 220,000 235,000

Expenses Special Projects 2,225 1,079 5,000 10,000 Trade Courses 89,366 90,939 92,000 110,000 Certification 30,505 58,694 30,000 32,000 Promotion 17,279 17,144 17,500 18,000 Ohhrc Funding 95,125 87,000 95,000 0 Foundation Scholarships Funding 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 Total Expenses 246,500 266,856 251,500 182,000

Net Income(Loss) (12,194) (26,155) (31,500) 53,000

Wage Allocations (92,882) (89,905)

Overhead Allocations (74,412) (71,219)

Net Income(Loss) Net of Allocations (179,489) (187,279)

2010 Proposed Budgets 10,000 175,000 50,000 235,000 10,000 110,000 32,000 18,000 0 12,000 182,000 53,000

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - GENERAL

2007 2008 2008 2009 2010

Audited Audited Revised Revised Proposed

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets Budgets Revenue Rent 102,227 109,104 100,000 100,000 100,000 Administration Fees 37,749 35,664 36,000 72,000 72,000 Earned Interest 76,087 86,180 70,000 70,000 70,000 Gains/losses-investments 0 0 1,000 1,000 1,000 Information Technology/web Fees 8,394 8,665 9,000 8,500 8,500 Miscellaneous 4,518 5,737 1,000 1,000 1,000 Total Revenue 228,975 245,351 217,000 252,500 252,500

Expenses Administrative Expenses Property Taxes 49,520 54,244 65,000 70,000 70,000 Telephone 37,072 35,300 28,000 34,000 34,000 Hydro 33,858 35,594 34,000 38,000 38,000 Heat 21,642 21,914 25,000 27,000 27,000 Maintenance-building 66,815 75,652 70,000 70,000 70,000 Maintenance-yard 40,570 40,642 35,000 45,000 45,000 Office Supplies

25,913 27,190 35,000 30,000 30,000 Office Equipment

33,900 13,733 30,000 30,000 30,000 Computer Equip/software

15,306 9,031 15,000 15,000 15,000 Information Technology/web exps 14,401 17,660 17,500 17,500 17,500 Postage

19,405 16,845 25,000 25,000 25,000 Courier

2,775 4,446 4,000 5,000 5,000 Audit

14,500 15,000 14,000 14,500 14,500 Legal Fees

774 625 2,000 1,000 1,000 Advertising

3,108 2,336 3,000 3,000 3,000 Insurance Expense

16,167 16,360 17,000 18,000 18,000 Meeting Expenses

27,100 18,767 19,000 22,000 22,000 Travel 61,133 54,930 60,000 63,000 63,000 Dues & Subscriptions

8,491 9,376 8,000 10,000 10,000 Donations

2,903 2,230 3,000 3,000 3,000 Training (Staff) 4,086 1,565 6,000 6,000 6,000 Miscellaneous Expenses

15,374 18,993 15,000 13,000 13,000 Bank Charges & Interest

48,769 45,006 45,000 45,000 45,000 (Gain)loss On Foreign Exchange 98 1,838 0 3,500 3,500 Administration Costs 8,000 0 8,000 0 0

571,681 539,278 583,500 608,500 608,500 Compensation Wages 1,321,730 1,424,162 1,400,000 1,628,000 1,628,000 Benefits 99,227 97,122 100,000 110,000 110,000 Source Deductions 73,215 75,790 80,000 92,000 92,000

Total Compensation 1,494,171 1,597,074 1,580,000 1,830,000 1,830,000

Total Expenses 2,065,852 2,136,352 2,163,500 2,438,500 2,438,500

Net Income(Loss) (1,836,877) (1,891,001) (1,946,500) (2,186,000) (2,186,000)

Wage Allocations 1,122,514 1,149,539

Overhead Allocations 595,298 569,752

Net Income(Loss) Net Of Allocations (119,065) (171,710)

45

46 

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

2007 2008 2008 2009

Audited Audited Revised Revised

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets Revenue Membership Dues 864,462 912,536 885,000 925,000 Awards Of Excellence 15,946 17,788 16,000 17,000 Merchandise 6,261 4,079 4,000 3,000 Referral Fees 56,460 61,307 50,000 50,000 Total Revenue 943,129 995,710 955,000 995,000

Expenses - General CNLA Membership Dues 245,626 257,734 265,000 280,000 Member Subscriptions 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 Awards Of Excellence 70,183 67,784 60,000 65,000 Membership Plaques 7,771 6,168 8,000 8,000 Annual Report 2,015 2,038 2,000 2,500 Merchandise 2,207 4,208 3,000 2,000 Membership Brochure 0 0 0 0 Membership Campaign 1,735 1,342 5,000 5,000 Membership Booth 5,034 5,199 5,000 7,000 Promotion 57,493 53,984 45,000 52,000 Total Expenses - General 458,065 464,456 459,000 487,500 Expenses - Chapters & Commodity Groups Windsor 3,500 3,350 3,350 3,290 London 1,865 6,394 6,394 6,264 Golden Horseshoe 9,100 9,240 9,240 9,560 Waterloo 6,944 7,010 7,010 7,054 Ottawa 5,640 5,978 5,978 6,238 Toronto 14,163 16,776 22,270 21,208 Georgian Lakelands 6,368 6,550 6,550 6,654 Durham 6,472 6,615 6,784 6,472 Upper Canada 3,560 3,800 3,800 3,740 Growers Group 2,333 1,846 3,000 3,000 Lawn Care Group 806 1,677 3,000 3,000 Garden Centre Group 145 3,161 3,000 3,000 Landscape Contractors Group 2,723 2,036 3,000 3,000 Grounds Maintenance Group 1,037 3,952 3,000 3,000 Designers Group 2,368 1,190 3,000 3,000 Irrigation Group 1,336 7,097 3,000 3,000 Interiorscape Group 2,021 2,943 3,000 3,000 Snow & Ice Group 2,672 572 3,000 3,000 Landscape Lighting Group 510 100 3,000 3,000 Total Chapter & Commodity Expenses 73,564 90,286 101,376 100,480

Total Expenses 531,628 554,742 560,376 587,980

Net Income(Loss) 411,501 440,968 394,624 407,020

Wage Allocations (418,815) (407,035)

Overhead Allocations (148,824) (142,438)

Net Income(Loss) Net of Allocations (156,138) (108,505)

2010 Proposed Budgets 925,000 17,000 3,000 50,000 995,000 280,000 66,000 65,000 8,000 2,500 2,000 0 5,000 7,000 52,000 487,500 3,290 6,264 9,560 7,054 6,238 21,208 6,654 6,472 3,740 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 100,480 587,980 407,020

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - HORTICULTURE REVIEW

2007 2008 2008 2009

Audited Audited Revised Revised

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets

Revenue Advertising 177,104 156,018 175,000 175,000 Polybag 9,752 8,440 6,000 7,000 Classified Ads 24,687 14,226 27,000 24,000 Web Classsified Ads 5,295 8,175 3,000 5,000 Subscriptions 812 376 1,000 500 Member Subscriptions

33,000 33,000 33,000 33,000 Total Revenue 250,649 220,234 245,000 244,500 Discounts Member Discounts 30,897 26,645 31,000 31,000 Agency Discounts

257 720 300 300 Total Discounts 31,154 27,366 31,300 31,300

Gross Revenue 219,495 192,869 213,700 213,200

Expenses Printing 47,069 50,885 48,000 45,000 Freelance Editorial

900 75 1,500 500 Editorial Travel

589 1,031 1,500 500 Mail Preparations

4,940 4,479 5,000 5,000 Poly Bag Costs 2,365 2,492 1,500 2,000 Postage 17,299 18,667 17,000 18,000 Courier Charges 0 0 300 0 Promotion/media Kits 1,041 477 500 500 Web Classified Ad Exps 1,120 0 500 0 Miscellaneous

50 8 250 250 Bad Debts

0 0 1,000 1,000 Total Expenses 75,374 78,114 77,050 72,750

Net Income(Loss) 144,122 114,755 136,650 140,450

Wage Allocations (113,939) (112,149)

Overhead Allocations (37,206) (35,610)

Net Income(Loss) Net of Allocations (7,023) (33,003)

2010 Proposed Budgets 175,000 7,000 24,000 5,000 500 33,000 244,500 31,000 300 31,300 213,200 45,000 500 500 5,000 2,000 18,000 0 500 0 250 1,000 72,750 140,450

PUBLISHING SPECIAL PROJECTS Revenue 111,855 115,110 95,000 95,000

Expenses 61,095 67,085 55,000 60,000

Net Income(Loss) 50,760 48,025 40,000 35,000

Wage Allocations (9,706) (9,762)

Overhead Allocations 0 0

Net Income(Loss) Net Of Allocations 41,054 38,263

95,000 60,000 35,000

47

48 

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - LANDSCAPE TRADES

2007 2008 2008 2009

Audited Audited Revised Revised

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets

Revenue Advertising 757,596 743,992 722,800 722,800 Polybag 30,979 37,883 35,000 40,000 Classified Ads 6,157 6,896 6,000 6,500 Subscriptions

9,626 7,215 11,000 10,000 Member Subscriptions 33,000 33,000 33,000 33,000 Total Revenue 837,359 828,985 807,800 812,300

Discounts Member Discounts 82,612 82,424 75,000 78,000 Agency Discounts 31,057 30,437 30,000 30,000 Total Discounts 113,669 112,861 105,000 108,000

Gross Revenue 723,690 716,124 702,800 704,300

Expenses Printing 158,775 159,873 160,000 135,000 Freelance Editorial

25,649 18,139 24,000 24,000 Editorial Travel

3,037 7,304 3,000 3,000 Sales Travel

17,603 18,254 25,000 20,000 Mail Preparation

10,877 7,681 10,000 10,000 Poly Bag Costs 7,259 7,991 9,000 9,000 Postage (2nd Class) 45,662 51,616 46,000 47,000 Postage(Foreign) 4,252 5,537 5,000 5,000 Courier Charges

3,360 2,379 3,000 3,000 Subscription Campaign 594 70 1,000 1,000 Promotion/media Kits 11,519 8,263 15,000 15,000 Ccab Circulation Audit

5,088 5,477 5,000 5,000 Miscellaneous

972 424 500 500 Bad Debts

0 432 1,000 1,000 Total Expenses 294,646 293,439 307,500 278,500

Net Income(Loss) 429,044 422,684 395,300 425,800

Wage Allocations (188,030) (224,462)

Overhead Allocations (74,412) (71,219)

Net Income(Loss) Net of Allocations 166,601 127,004

2010 Proposed Budgets 722,800 40,000 6,500 10,000 33,000 812,300 78,000 30,000 108,000 704,300 135,000 24,000 3,000 20,000 10,000 9,000 47,000 5,000 3,000 1,000 15,000 5,000 500 1,000 278,500 425,800

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - CONGRESS

2007 2008 2008 2009 2010

Audited Audited Revised Revised Proposed

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets Budgets Revenue Exhibit Space 1,613,742 1,768,999 1,641,175 1,900,000 1,900,000 Exhibit Space-CFIA 56,000 59,850 60,000 50,000 50,000 Registration 136,688 138,205 153,000 135,000 135,000 Miscellaneous 12,550 20,279 8,000 25,000 25,000 Total Revenue 1,818,980 1,987,333 1,862,175 2,110,000 2,110,000 Discounts Member Discounts

127,426 137,805 127,500 148,000 148,000 Member Discounts-CFIA 4,800 3,900 5,000 0 0 Total Discounts 132,226 141,705 132,500 148,000 148,000

Gross Revenue 1,686,754 1,845,628 1,729,675 1,962,000 1,962,000

Expenses Exhibit Hall

328,610 354,050 344,050 361,160 361,160 Security 22,420 22,346 24,000 24,500 24,500 Show Services

110,307 105,913 112,000 115,000 115,000 Feature Area

3,630 3,500 5,000 8,000 8,000 Garden Subsidy 6,115 9,313 8,000 8,000 8,000 Speakers

23,811 28,876 30,000 35,000 35,000 Registration Services

36,324 35,120 40,000 38,000 38,000 Audio Visual Equipment

22,863 25,954 25,000 27,000 27,000 Entertainment

21,774 23,852 23,000 25,000 25,000 Receptions 31,933 23,487 32,000 25,000 25,000 Printing

39,301 40,335 42,000 38,000 38,000 Promotion

13,350 12,507 14,000 17,000 17,000 Public Relations Services 7,616 4,700 5,500 8,800 8,800 Survey 0 0 0 0 0 Advertising 37,318 37,040 36,000 37,000 37,000 Photography

1,944 2,430 2,200 2,800 2,800 Flowers

4,337 6,249 5,000 7,000 7,000 Gifts/ Gratuities

734 1,482 2,500 2,000 2,000 Move In/Move Out

67,323 76,164 72,000 80,000 80,000 Travel 51,671 54,789 53,000 56,000 56,000 Snow Removal 0 0 10,000 10,000 10,000 Insurance 6,664 6,664 7,500 7,000 7,000 Postage

18,950 22,837 20,000 23,000 23,000 Parking 7,743 8,511 8,000 9,500 9,500 Police 1,200 1,176 1,500 1,500 1,500 Janitorial 30,625 34,300 33,000 36,000 36,000 Software 4,176 6,150 5,750 8,525 8,525 Labour 2,684 3,073 4,000 4,000 4,000 Commissions-others 13,000 13,935 15,000 22,000 22,000 Miscellaneous

4,118 9,131 4,000 7,000 7,000 Total Expenses 920,539 973,884 984,000 1,043,785 1,043,785

Net Income(Loss) 766,215 871,745 745,675 918,215 918,215

Wage Allocations (185,169) (194,303)

Overhead Allocations (148,824) (142,438)

Net Income(Loss) Net of Allocations 432,222 535,003

49

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INCOME STATEMENT - GARDEN EXPO

2007 2008 2008 2009

Audited Audited Revised Revised

Statements Statements Budgets Budgets Revenue Exhibit Space 593,076 589,800 604,000 650,000 Exhibit Space-Florist Expo 47,775 25,000 49,000 0 Registration 0 2,075 5,000 2,000 Miscellaneous 4,522 7,517 2,000 5,000 Total Revenue 645,373 624,392 660,000 657,000 Discounts Member Discounts

19,175 16,425 21,000 20,000 Member Discounts-Florist Expo 1,800 1,425 2,000 0 Total Discounts 20,975 17,850 23,000 20,000

Gross Revenue 624,398 606,542 637,000 637,000

Expenses Exhibit Hall

93,188 92,800 92,800 95,580 Security 6,681 7,899 7,000 8,500 Show Services

49,818 48,206 50,000 50,000 Registration Services

12,883 13,036 14,000 15,000 Printing

20,211 23,479 24,000 24,000 Promotion

7,037 4,823 8,000 7,000 Public Relations Services 4,300 2,900 4,000 3,200 Survey 4,000 0 0 0 Advertising 29,935 38,219 33,000 41,000 Move In/Move Out

30,419 32,581 33,000 36,000 Travel 9,825 8,755 10,000 10,000 Postage

10,001 9,310 12,000 11,000 Parking 1,001 1,045 1,300 1,500 Receptions 4,604 3,373 5,000 8,000 Janitorial 8,000 7,000 8,500 8,000 Software 4,176 5,900 5,750 6,900 Commissions-others 10,450 0 12,000 0 Exhibitor Training 0 1,654 2,000 1,000 Miscellaneous

669 3,644 2,000 5,000 Total Expenses 307,198 304,624 324,350 331,680

Net Income(Loss) 317,200 301,918 312,650 305,320

Wage Allocations (113,973) (111,924)

Overhead Allocations (111,618) (106,829)

Net Income(Loss) Net Of Allocations 91,608 83,166

2010 Proposed Budgets 650,000 0 2,000 5,000 657,000 20,000 0 20,000 637,000 95,580 8,500 50,000 15,000 24,000 7,000 3,200 0 41,000 36,000 10,000 11,000 1,500 8,000 8,000 6,900 0 1,000 5,000 331,680 305,320

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008 

51

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2008

INVESTMENTS

Maturity Rate of Opening Value Purchases Disposals Gain/loss Realized Accrued Closing Value Market

Date Return At Cost At Cost Disposals Interest On Interest At Cost Value

Sept. 1/07 Disposals Aug. 31/08 Aug. 31/08 Sept. 30/08

Province Of Ontario Coupon Dec 2, 2011 4.22 % 236,624 49,748 236,624 294,793 Province Of Ontario Coupon Jun 2, 2012 4.40 % 170,206 29,330 170,206 199,793 Province Of B.C. Coupon Jul 9, 2018 5.02 % 78,691 14,311 78,691 93,383 Province Of Ontario Coupon Jan 13, 2013 4.08 % 200,000 22,417 200,000 222,187 Province Of Ontario Coupon Aug 7, 2016 4.33 % 362,787 43,247 362,787 394,506 Province Of Ontario Coupon Jan 13, 2020 4.43 % 158,544 11,826 158,544 156,230 Royal Bank-GIC Nov 8, 2007 3.75 % 200,000 (200,000) 7,403 Royal Bank-GIC Aug 27, 2008 4.00 % 400,000 (400,000) 5,534 Royal Bank-GIC Sep 28, 2008 4.00 % 400,000 (400,000) 5,455 Royal Bank-GIC Oct 18, 2008 4.00 % 400,000 (400,000) 6,584 Royal Bank-GIC Nov 13, 2008 4.00 % 400,000 (400,000) 9,433 Royal Bank-GIC Aug 19, 2009 2.50 % 500,000 411 500,000 500,000

Totals 1,806,851 1,700,000 (1,800,000) 0 34,408 171,290 1,706,851 1,860,893

MEMBERSHIP COUNT 1998-2008 2500 2400

2329

2300

2270

2238

2200 2100 1986

2000 1900

2099

1863

MEMBERSHIP

1800 1710

1700 1589

1600 1500

1610

1583

1463

1400 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

FISCAL YEAR

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

52

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN 2007 INTERIM (15) 0.6% HORTICULTURAL (423) 18.2%

CHAPTER ASSOCIATE (52) 2.2% ACTIVE (1491) 64.0% ASSOCIATE (348) 14.9%

MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN 2008 INTERIM (34) 1.5%

HORTICULTURAL (322) 14.2%

CHAPTER ASSOCIATE (53) 2.3%

ACTIVE (1509) 66.5%

ASSOCIATE (352) 15.5%

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By Colomba Fuller Canada Blooms artistic director

S

ince 1997, Canada Blooms has showcased the best in horticulture, design and products related to gardening. This year will not be an exception. The essential elements of the show will remain. We have moved eating areas to the 700 level, which will also include the exhibitors’ lounge. By doing this, we are occupying and making good use of all of the levels.

Choosing a theme for Canada Blooms has always been a challenge. At the beginning, we had a theme that followed the schedule for the Toronto Garden Club’s floral and horticultural competitions. The garden builders quickly adopted the theme. This helped them with their design, which was reflected in the gardens.

You might remember some of the most appealing themes: The Secret Garden, A Walk in the Park, Garden Party, Elements, Urban Mosaic, A Symphony of Gardens, Flower Power, to name a few. The artwork for each of these and all the others was always an original piece, either a painting or a photograph. This year, as once before, we have decided that our name will be the official theme, Canada Blooms, a celebration of wealth and talent in every aspect of the industry — whether, floral, horticultural, or design. The image is a stunning, unusual flower planted extensively from east to west in this very unusual country of ours — a tulip. It will look refreshing and colourful in the gloom of March.

There are many spaces that require particular attention when designing a show like Canada

Blooms. One of them is the entrance to the main show on the 800 Level. We have a reputation of high standards to live up to. We are creating a bit of theatre this year for the entrance with jets of water eight to ten feet high, masses of planters cascading with white flowers floating over black stands, cool music.…all enclosed within a black box that visitors must go through in order to enter the show. There should be an element of surprise when one reaches the bottom of the escalator, and a sense of anticipation to what lies beyond the main doors.

The future What lies beyond? That is even a surprise to me! I design the floor plan, and I know every little corner, measurement and positioning, but it is merely a blank canvas. The garden designers, architects, contractors, builders, florists and all the tradepeople and professionals, who help with the installation at Canada Blooms, are the artists who paint the canvas. It is not until 3 or 4 o’clock on the madness of Tuesday afternoon, after five days of set-up, before the opening night party, when everything is somewhat in place, that the canvas comes to life.

I am always asked, “What is new?” There are a few things that I will mention. I am working on an installation, which I hope will be the WOW of the show this year. As readers are aware, currently, plastic pots used in the horticultural industry are not recycled, and end up in landfills. Can you imagine the possibilities when two talented artists get a hold of thousands of these pots and trays and unleash their creativity? On top of this spectacular piece, which will stimulate the senses, we will offer

the visitor facts and solutions on how to solve this particular problem. We will also have a recycling bin where people may drop off their plastic pots.

The Garden Club of Toronto’s Garden Hall has been re-designed and condensed, like the rest of the show, creating a pleasant and welcoming space. This will be the venue for the largest amateur floral competition in Canada.

The theme, ‘From Sea to Sea,’ includes names of classes such as Totem, Aurora Borealis, Grown in Canada, Eh?, Our Roots, Garage Sale, Forest Primeval, and many other catchy titles, bound to please everyone. However, before trying to make sense of the judges’ comments, make your own choice and see how you fare. Chances are you might not agree.

We are also proud to introduce the new Canada Blooms pavilion, a multi-functional venue, in the midst of the gardens, that can be used for small intimate gatherings or large corporate functions during our 2009 celebrations.

Stylishly decorated in a contemporary black and white theme, the area can be set up for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, buffet or sit-down dinners. We will rent the space at a basic cost, plus food and drinks. We have worked with the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to produce a choice of special menus, one of which reflects our Canadian theme. Included in the package are tickets for the attending guests. Anyone needing to entertain could be first to use this splendid venue right on the main floor, within our gardens!

The 12th annual event will present visitors with the absolute essential elements that truly make Canada a great place for Blooms.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 53

LO MEMBER PROFILE

Customer relations key to success for The Plant Lady

By Allan Dennis

The owner of The Plant Lady is actually no lady at all, but is a highly motivated and successful LO member, Stephen Schell.

For 30 years, The Plant Lady in Kitchener has maintained the interior beauty of offices and homes. Having been involved in horticulture for 30 years, Stephen purchased the business in 1990. Since then it has grown to 18 employees, serving an area that stretches from Markham to Hamilton to Kitchener.

The business has grown so much over the past few years that Stephen has been unable to tend plants himself, as he once did daily. Now he must focus on administration duties. “We have seen 50 per cent growth since May 2007,” says Stephen. He estimates The Plant Lady cares for about 13,000 plants.

“Our indoor tropical plant installations feature only the finest plants from the world’s foremost growers. Combined with our unrivalled maintenance program, our plants will create a more pleasant and healthier environment for our customers,” says Stephen. He explains that his goal is to ensure that his customers never have a reason to call. “Our maintenance program ensures a regular schedule.” A customized care program is created to make sure plants are watered, pruned and cared for in order to maintain their health and appearance.

“Our clients pay us the ultimate compliment when they realize that they never think of their plants, but instead they only enjoy the benefits,” says Stephen.

“The core of our business is to make people happy,” he adds, explaining that when he hires people he places great importance on personality. “I want employees who are people-friendly.

They must put positive customer relationships ahead of everything else. My staff members are The Plant Lady,” says Stephen.

In the interiorscape business, the goal is to humanize clients’ offices. A number of years ago, at least 40 per cent of clients wanted artificial plants. “That number is now zero,” says Stephen.

“People now want real plants.” He explains that many companies now understand that by placing live plants in the work areas, it will improve the air.

“We guarantee that every plant we install will exceed expectations,” says Stephen. He works with customers before any plants are brought in to determine the type of plant that will

be needed in regards to lighting and conditions. “Many times the plants become a popular feature in offices. Customers themselves take pride in the plants, and want to be involved in their care.” On average a plant will remain in an office setting five to six years, and as long as 15 years for some specialty Stephen Schell is able to house hundreds of plants fresh from the nursery plants. Stephen notes in his heated warehouse in Kitchener. that sometimes, people don’t want the plant moved out. They see the thought, ‘Wow, look at the money that I spent on plant as a living companion in their office envi- staff wages, the trainer, study materials and on the ronment. exam fees. How will I ever get a return on that Stephen first became involved with LO back investment?’ Today, I am convinced that this has in the l980s through his father’s company. That been a great investment. It returns dividends to involvement became more hands-on in the past us in high client retention rates, minimal supervifour years, when Stephen joined the Interiorscape sion requirements for staff, low complaint rates Commodity Group, which he now chairs and from clients and when we do get a complaint, it serves as its board representative. is almost always a very minor problem, which is He recently returned from Atlanta, where he easily corrected. I think that the reason that we attended a summit for the interiorscape industry. have seen these positive results is because this Stephen says he wants to see a connection education has created greater staff commitment made with some of the smaller interiorscape busi- to their jobs, which has shown itself in the enthunesses, in order to convince them on the benefits siasm in their work. It shows in the analytical of belonging to Landscape Ontario. way that they approach plant problem diagnosis He is also a big believer in CHT-I train- and the intelligent decisions that they chose, such ing. “We run bi-weekly staff meetings where we as the plant choices that they make when they always try to teach something new to our staff and replace plants to avoid future plant replacements.

I often include a general discussion about indus- It also shows in the nearly zero staff turnover try news. About two years ago we were keeping that we are experiencing, and in extremely high our staff up to date on the new CHT-Interior satisfaction results that we are achieving in client study program that was being developed and they surveys that we do. started to ask for the opportunity to learn about “The training has one other unexpected side the CHT-I program and study for the exams. benefit that I have really noticed in the past six “Initially, we were skeptical about our staff’s months in particular. I feel that our staff members commitment to completing the CHT-I training are generally happier and more confident people and felt that staff would soon lose interest. When than they were two years ago. This has meant they kept asking for the training, we hired Fred that they are confident enough in themselves to Prescod to provide a CHT study program for us. solve problems without the need for support from We all worked together, in a classroom setting, a supervisor. It also means that internal conflicts over several months and then wrote the CHT-I are fewer, and are almost always solved by the exam together as a group. Each one of us came participants themselves in an amicable way.” away from the course with a better understanding Stephen says that in general, he has a more of the plants that we all care for and are all better smoothly operating company that is easier for horticulturists for it. him to manage.

“When the course was completed, I initially

54 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

Plum pox declining in Ontario The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its 2008 plum pox virus (PPV) survey activities. The agency noted a significant drop in the number of positive findings, despite collecting 35 per cent more samples compared to 2007.

The CFIA collected over 750,000 samples from commercial orchards and residential properties. Only 131 samples tested positive this year, compared to 261 samples found positive in 2007.

This year’s survey also detected a new strain of PPV (PPV-Rec) in three trees on a Grimsby, Ont. residential property within the Niagara PPV quarantine area. However, it is felt that this new strain is not likely to hinder the eradication of PPV in Canada.

Additional surveys in the area suggest PPV-Rec has not spread outside of that property and the detection is an isolated occurrence.

The positive trees were plum rootstocks with grafted apricot, peach and plum branches. The trees were detected as part of the homeowner’s survey activities.

CFIA will continue to monitor for the

presence of PPV-Rec, a strain only recently discovered and only known to occur in Europe.

At this time, very little is known about the biology of the strain. Preliminary research seems to indicate that it could be aphid transmissible, however, the specific host range of this strain still needs to be determined.

This is not the first time a new strain of PPV has been found. In 2002, a new strain

(PPV-W) was discovered at a residence in Stoney Creek, Ont. Survey activities were enhanced in the surrounding area and no further positives were detected. The infected tree was removed and the strain type was never detected again in Canada. This was considered an isolated incident with no impact on the eradication program.

Landscaper escapes QEW accident An employee of LO member Hank Deenen Landscaping in Toronto was very lucky to walk away from a horrific traffic accident at Highways 427 and QEW. One veteran OPP officer described the accident scene on November 4, as the worst he had ever witnessed. Drivers along the busy QEW saw a trailer plunge from Highway 427 overhead, onto the eastbound QEW, crushing four cars.

Mariano Estrela, 62, was driving a truck for his employer Hank Deneen Landscaping,

when copper tubing from the trailer landed on the hood of his truck. He needed help getting out of his truck, but was not seriously injured.

One man died and four people were injured As of late November, Mariano has not yet returned to work. “The accident has caused him a great deal of mental stress,” says Harold Deneen.

“We are, of course, encouraging him to get back in the saddle, but as yet he is not sure of his return date. The media has been swarming and he is reluctant to speak to anybody as yet.”

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HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 55

OMAFRA NURSERY-LANDSCAPE REPORT

Ontario’s 2008 forest health review

By Jen Llewellyn OMAFRA nursery crops specialist

T

he annual forest health review took place in Orillia this year. Members of the forestry, arboriculture and nursery industry came out to hear about this year’s surveillance activities and research.

Traditionally, forest health monitoring has been conducted by forest health specialists from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Canadian Forest Service (CFS).

Tony Hopkins of the CFS announced that in the future, MNR will take complete control of forest health monitoring. In return, the CFS plans to enhance its efforts in diagnostics, systematics and research to support forest health issues.

Gypsy moth populations were on a slight incline this year at 31,000 HA (up from 10,000 HA in 2006). Aerial applications of B.t.

(Bacillus thuringiensis, a biological insecticide) have been helpful in reducing populations of these leaf-chewing caterpillars. Because of all the rain during late larval development in June, background populations of pathogenic fungi and viruses were also able to significantly reduce larval populations.

You probably noticed the plethora of stretched caterpillar carcasses hanging lifelessly from trunks and branches with their heads down. That’s the work of the entomopathogenic fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga. Just like other pathogenic fungi we know, this fungus thrives in wet conditions. We’ll also see them hanging from their middle in an upside down ‘V’ position, which is usually characteristic for those infected with NPV (a type of viral pathogen).

The virus (Gypchek) is not registered for use in Canada, but you’ll be encouraged to know that there is a very progressive company out of New Brunswick, Sylvar Technologies, that has been conducting efficacy studies at various sites in Canada with an emphasis on spray deposition technology. By inoculating with Gypchek, larval populations crashed much sooner, thus reducing defoliation significantly from untreated plots.

Taylor Scarr of the MNR gave an update on the successful jackpine budworm management program. Very similar-looking to the spruce budworm, this caterpillar feeds on the pollen and the current season’s growth of pine, especially at the top of the crown. Feeding damage turns foliage red and sometimes, jackpine budworm damage can kill a tree in just one year.

Current hot spots include Sudbury and North

Bay, and a little further north.

Traditionally, the industry has dealt with the damage by performing salvage cuts in the infested areas. That way, the wood can be harvested before the value is compromised. In the last decade, the area of infestation has become so large that regional sawmills are not able to handle the number of logs from these salvage operations. In 2006, industry and government decided to combine salvage cuts with an insecticidal spray program using the biocontrol agent Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t., Dipel). An aerial spray program using state-ofthe-art GPS technology was able to achieve uniform spray deposit at incredibly low rates (1.5 L B.t. per hectare).

Photo Credit: D Cheung Defoliation was reduced Gypsy moth larva infected with virus down to 37 per cent in treated areas compared est tent caterpillars are still at a relatively low to 70 per cent in untreated areas. The spray level at 42,000 HA. Pine false webworm, cedar program was repeated quite successfully in the leafminer and larch casebearer outbreaks are last couple of years. The team reduced jack- also few and far between. pine budworm infested areas to 166,000 HA in Surveys for sirex wood wasp (Sirex noctilio, 2008, which is down from 740,000 HA in 2006. European wood wasp, EWW) were conducted again in 2008 by the MNR. The purpose was Sawyers attacking healthy pines to determine the northern limit for this invasive Blow-down damage is something we see every alien species. In 2006, multiple trap sites across year. Once they dry, toppled trees can pose a southern Ontario uncovered positive detections significant fire hazard. Where stands of white of sirex wood wasps. In 2007, survey efforts pine have been subject to blow-down, for- were largely concentrated in the countries outest health technicians are seeing native white side of the 2006 positive detections. According spotted sawyers, a long horned beetle, often to the MNR, no positive sites were detected north confused with the invasive Asian long horned of the 2007 detections. This wood wasp was first beetle. The white spotted sawyer beetles are found in New York state in 2004 and consereproducing on blow-down and slash piles of quently detected in eastern Ontario in 2005. Sirex white pine. The populations have grown so high wood wasp has since been detected in several in some areas, that the white spotted sawyers counties of New York and has also been found in have been observed attacking healthy pines. It’s Pennsylvania, Michigan and Vermont. Currently, something which I’m starting to get more calls the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is workabout. ing on a regulatory document to limit the spread Except for a pocket near Sudbury, for- of sirex host material (Pinus sp.). This directive

56 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

is due to soon be released for comment.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a popular topic of discussion. This invasive alien species has been detected at several new locations across Ontario, Quebec and several parts of the U.S. this year. CFIA staff members are currently engaged in delimitation surveys in order to determine the extent of these new infested sites. As you know, detecting EAB infestations in ash trees has been the most significant hurdle for surveys. Trees quite often don’t show symptoms until the infestation is quite advanced.

Dr. Krysta Ryall from the Canadian Forest Service gave an excellent report regarding her research team’s efforts to improve sampling techniques. The team focused its efforts on sampling live trees that were found next to those that were heavily infested. They felled the trees, cut them up and labelled them to help track samples in relation to their position on the tree. For instance, they tracked N-S-E-W orientation, as well as upper crown, lower crown and general branch diameter groupings. They took 59 trees back to the lab and dissected 938 subsamples — painstakingly shaving back layers of bark and cambium in search of the signs of EAB (can you imagine?). Early EAB larvae are so tiny and flat, they are easy to miss. So to check the level of error, they held all the dissected sub-samples in sealed rearing cages and monitored for EAB adult emergence, based on established rearing techniques. And yes, they proved that current sampling techniques produce false negatives: only about 50 per cent of the trees had obvious external signs, but it turned out that a whopping 89 per cent were actually infested! It was also discovered that 40 per cent of the trees had numerous galleries in the branches of the crown with no

galleries in the boll (better get out your step ladder and binoculars this winter). The group determined that most of the infested branches were in the five- to six cm-diameter range, although they found EAB in branches as small as 1.75 cm in diameter. The EAB tunnels often tended to be found under five mm of bark.

Dr. Barry Lyons, also of CFS, gave a whirlwind overview of some of the EAB bio-control research going on in North America. CFS and U.S. scientists are screening host tree volatiles to determine if EAB adults respond to certain host chemicals moreso than others. They hope to use this information to develop more EAB-specific attractants to facilitate trapping in the fiel. As you can imagine, bark peeling is extremely cumbersome. They did isolate a few volatiles that attract the EAB adults. They also found that the males seem more responsive to these compounds than females. A grad student at the University of Guelph has been working with a parasitic wasp, Cerceris fumipennis. The adult wasp will actually hunt for EAB adults, capture them and take them back to their ground nest to feed their developing maggots. Researchers constructed a mobile colony of Cerceris, complete with ground nests on a trailer. They were able to tow the colony around the province, and monitor the nests for EAB adults. It turns out that Cerceris could actually be used as a bio-surveillance tool.

The effectiveness of Cerceris compared to other monitoring techniques (e.g. purple prism traps) is currently being investigated.

An alternative to green ash?

In the last issue, I wrote about some new research regarding the “tolerance” of blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) to emerald ash borer (Agrilus

planipennis, EAB). A University of Guelph study conducted in Point Pelee National Park (Essex County) investigated potential infestation of EAB in blue ash and green ash (F. pennsylvanica) standing side-by-side. The research team discovered that all green ash trees at this site exhibited symptoms of EAB infestation and reduced health. In contrast, they found no evidence that EAB had infested the blue ash at this site; the blue ash trees were all in excellent health. I thought: this is great news! Since then I’ve had some discussion with forestry specialists and found out that blue ash trees have been found infested in the city of Windsor. How can this be?

Although it can somehow regenerate itself through seed in the wild, nursery growers say that blue ash is probably one of the most challenging species of trees to propagate from seed or cuttings. Because of this, nursery growers are often forced to propagate the tree by grafting it onto other ash rootstock. While the trees growing in natural forests are pure blue ash from seed, it could be that the blue ash trees planted in our urban areas are a combination of blue ash and other susceptible ash species. Perhaps the ash rootstock is imparting some attractiveness to the emerald ash borer. Blue ash may be the answer, but we first need to work out its propagation in order to retain the true species and its tolerance to this destructive beetle.

Jen Llewellyn can be reached at (519) 824-4120, ext. 52671, or by e-mail at jennifer.llewellyn@ontario.ca Her online nursery-landscape report may be found at http://apps.omafra.gov.on.ca/ scripts/english/crops/agriphone/index.asp

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For Bareroot and Container Grown Trees • Native • Shade • Ornamental 148 Lynden Road, P.O. Box 190 Lynden, Ontario L0R 1T0 Tel: 519-647-3912 • Fax: 519-647-3720 www.winkelmolen.com HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 57

HORT PROTECT

Insurance rates are on the rise

By Darren Rodrigues Sinclair-Cockburn Financial Group

S

now removal contractors will soon face higher insurance rates for next year. The culprit is liability claims, especially slips and falls. A sound risk management strategy can keep costs down.

Now that winter is upon us, most areas in Canada have had the first taste of snow.

Contractors are getting their equipment ready, signing deals with property managers Darren Rodrigues and even starting some early plowing. But there’s one thing ice and snow removal firms may not have fully considered — insurance.

Some have likely heard of, or experienced first-hand, the current conditions in the business insurance marketplace. Premiums may rise as much as 25 to 50 per cent. As well,

restrictive terms will be placed on almost all policies and several insurance companies are already withdrawing from key markets. More snow removal contractors will find it difficult just to get insurance.

The HortProtect Program, with Lombard Insurance Company of Canada, has already taken significant steps to keep costs down by partnering with Landscape Ontario and the Region of Waterloo’s Smart about Salt initiative. Our clients have already received Lombard’s “Smart about Snow” risk management information package, including contracts and logs.

So why is this happening? The short answer is claims for slip and fall, and lots of them. A growing propensity in our society to sue for minor incidents, coupled with the vague nature of many snow removal contracts, has left contractors picking up the tab for liability claims. Insurers have seen their losses increase, and they are starting to take action.

Fortunately, there are still national programs, such as the HortProtect Commercial Insurance

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58 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

Program, for firms that belong to the industry’s professional associations.

Two critical risk strategies How can snow removal contractors control insurance costs and ensure continued coverage to protect against legitimate losses? There are two critical strategies today: loss prevention and risk management.

First, a snow removal contractor (or insurance broker) should examine its loss experience and identify specific kinds of claims over the past five to ten years. What kind of work does it specialize in — large shopping malls, big box stores, smaller plazas, high-rise apartments, public housing? Where have claims come from? Are contracts all over the map?

For what is the snow contractor accepting liability? Typically, a pattern emerges that was previously unknown to the contractor.

The type of contract signed with a property manager/owner is a vital piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, poor contracts are the main reason behind increased losses in ice and snow removal. Sometimes, contractors may inadvertently agree to perform more work than intended; they agree to indemnify the owner for damages unrelated to the work. Often contracts are so ambiguous it’s hard to tell if contractors actually met their obligations.

Ready-to-use contract That’s why Landscape Ontario, in conjunction with the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association and Sinclair Cockburn Financial Group, will be re-introducing the Standard Form Snow and Ice Maintenance Contract.

The contract has two parts. The first section deals with terms and conditions that apply to all premises — insurance, indemnity, duration of contract, notice previsions, to name a few.

In particular, the contract is drafted so indemnity applies only if the contractor is negligent or fails to perform the work in accordance with the contract. The second part, Schedule A, clarifies the scope of work and includes provisions for how the contractor will be paid.

It details the fixed price portion of the contract, how and when ice-melting products should be applied (a key issue in slip and fall claims) and how extra work should be requested by the owner. The message here is that contractors should not do any work not specifically listed in the contract. In short, the standard contract puts some control back in the hands of the

HORT PROTECT

Continued from previous page

snow removal contractor.

One issue for contractors is whether property management firms will accept the standard contract. If they don’t, contractors should question why — property owners are quite familiar with liability and indemnity issues.

If property managers insist on using their own contracts, have a lawyer scrutinize the wording carefully. This is essential to protecting your operations and keeping your costs down.

Contractors should also remember to feel confident in providing written documentation to their clients, indicating areas requiring improvement and/or maintenance, in order to do the job properly. Response from the snow removal industry to the standard contract has been positive, with about 70 per cent of contractors already using it. Insurance carriers, such as the HortProtect program, will likely insist on its use, or at least a contract similar in nature, for future new business.

Detailed record keeping is vital The contract is just one link in the chain to pro-

tect against frivolous liability lawsuits. Record keeping is equally important to snow contractors, specifically the maintenance of accurate and thorough winter services work-logs. In some instances, lawsuits against contractors have been successful simply because no detailed records were available.

Snow removal contractors are a diverse group, and firms must tailor record keeping systems to their own needs. But there are some standard checklists: location, time in/out, services performed, material applied (i.e., salt, sand), site observations and weather observations. Records should be kept for seven years.

Sound record keeping must be a part of every contractor’s operation in today’s business environment. Record keeping is particularly important in areas like site maps. Snow removal contractors should know the exact property lines, potential hazards (low-hanging eaves, trees, etc.) and pre-existing damage. If your plow tears up asphalt because of a pothole, that pre-existing damage should have been noted in the property site map. Similarly, if a property

owner recommends dumping or pushing snow onto an adjacent property, think twice. If it’s not detailed on the site map, don’t do it. Landscape Ontario, through the Snow and Ice Commodity Group, is currently putting together a comprehensive Maintenance Log that will be accepted by its insurer.

Insurance is designed to protect you from an unforeseen loss while carrying out your business duties. It is not meant to provide blanket coverage for any assumed liability, especially as it relates to slip-and-fall claims and hidden exposures. Understanding this difference, and implementing a sound risk management program, can help your firm cope successfully with challenging conditions in the insurance market.

For more information on the standard form snow and ice removal contract, please feel free to visit www.landscapeontario.com, or call Sinclair Cockburn Financial Group at 1-888-883-5888. Darren Rodrigues may be reached at (416) 494-9883, ext. 361 or Darren.rodrigues@scfg.ca

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 59

No quick solution to recycling plastic pots Landscape Ontario and CNLA continue to investigate opportunities to help members recycle their used horticultural plastic. In a meeting on November 12, Ivan Vander Deen of Myers Industries presented an alternative through Dekka Resins, Myers recycling arm. As manufacturers of plastic pots, Myers aims to be the first group of companies to conduct full post-consumer recycling.

Challenges for the horticulture industry include sorting — history has shown homeowners will bring all kinds of garbage from their garage to pot recycling depots, for transportation to the recycling facility.

Myers currently has two recycling facilities in Ontario, one in Windsor and one in Brantford. Vander Deen is working with industry members to create smaller recycling centres across the province to make it more efficient for members to drop off their collected plastic.

Only pots with the recycling numbers 2, 5 and 6 are accepted for recycling, so retailers should make sure the product they buy is received in pots and trays labeled accordingly.

This winter LO and CNLA staff are working on a list of companies who offer recycling options to members, with the idea that members can choose the most logical and convenient option for their location and size of business.

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60 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

LO and CNLA members are looking to recycle used horticultural plastic.

Monica van Maris thanks IPM volunteers After 35 years as chair of the IPM Symposium, Monica van Maris is stepping down to take a well-earned break. LO owes her a huge debt of gratitude for her hours of work over the years, as she has guided the program into a major annual event, held in four locations across the province each year. The symposium also contributes funds to the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation, which supports ornamental horticultural research and scholarships.

Monica van Maris She asked for space in Horticulture Review to thank the countless volunteers who contributed to the symposium’s success over the years — her comments follow: As chairman for the past 35 years of the IPM symposium, formerly the Pesticides Symposium, I would like to thank all the volunteers, speakers and staff for their time, energy and good advice that made this symposium run so smoothly and efficiently for such a long time — and it is still going strong. Funds from the symposium have used successfully for research and scholarships. I also appreciate the comments from members, good positive and bad negative. Over the years this was an inspiration for me to continue, but as with everything, it is time for a change. We have a new chairman, Mark Goodman, who I hope everyone will support in the future. I wish him well and prosperity in his new role. Good luck, Mark.

Landscape Ontario Green for Life: December update The LO Branding Committee has now officially launched our new consumer outreach program. Our ‘little girl’ on the swing is being introduced to newspapers and magazines in Ontario and the rest of Canada so that stories will reach your customers in time for Canada Blooms in March 2009. There will be a full public relations program supporting member activities all spring as a way to get more consumers inspired to landscape and beautify their properties. We will keep all members updated on the PR outreach as the season goes on.

The team also held the first webinars, a conference call and online meeting that you can attend from your own office. We will hold a repeat of the ‘Introduction to the Green for Life’ program on Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m. These webinars are free to all members and invitations will be sent in our weekly LO e-mail, or by contacting Robert Ellidge, rob@landscapeontario.com. The webinar will last about 45 minutes, and we will also have new sessions in the new year on how to incorporate the Green for Life program to help your business.

We have had a number of questions asked about the market research we did this past spring. We surveyed many consumers on their reaction to various messages and taglines.

Customers at retail locations in Mississauga and Ottawa, as well as many online survey respondents, gave insights into how today’s user of landscape plants and services reacts to the environment. The data shed light on how younger consumers are more attuned to environmental messaging, with a clear split between women in their 30s, who responded to the word ‘green,’ and older consumers who preferred the word ‘garden.’ The team saw the same age gap when images were shown; younger consumers reacted and connected to the ‘little girl’ picture, while older consumers told us they liked ‘butterflies.’

The target audience for the LO ‘Green for Life’ program is women homeowners in their 30s. Given the demographic split we saw in the survey, using the ‘Green for Life’ tagline was the clear best choice and the ‘little girl’ image was logical for our consumer presence.

Denis Flanagan had a suggestion regarding a name for our ‘little girl.’ A special little girl in Toronto, who had lost the sight of an eye to cancer, asked for a butterfly garden through the Make a Wish Foundation. Wonderful volunteers from the Toronto Chapter made Rachel’s dream garden a reality. So — we are proud to start calling our ‘little girl on swing’ Rachel.

Rachel on her swing

This month we are working to get LO bumper stickers printed featuring our new visual identity, and to create retail POP kits.

Both the bumper stickers and POP material will be offered to members soon. We will send information on how to order these next month.

Thanks to the LO Branding Committee for your hard work: chair Bob McCannell and members Bob Adams, Diana Cassidy-Bush, Phil Dickie, Paul Doornbos, David Emmons, Tom Intven, Tim Kearney, Steve Macartney, Jim McCracken, Mark Ostrowski, Nick Solty, Melissa Spearing and Alan White.

LO’s public logo:

LO’s trade logo:

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 61

Suzuki helps LO celebrate Environmental Awareness Day

By Robert Ellidge

Landscape Ontario’s Toronto Chapter celebrated Environmental Awareness Day on Nov. 20 by sponsoring renowned Canadian environmentalist, Dr. David Suzuki at two events.

The day started at the Toronto Botanical Garden, where over 100 industry members gathered for a garden tour and lunch, followed by a 10-minute talk by Dr. Suzuki on the importance of including more plants, trees and natural spaces in our ever-growing cities.

Suzuki was quick to remind the audience that human beings should not lose sight of the fact we are just another species in the natural world. “We seem to put ourselves above all of the other animals, just because we are intelligent,” he said. “When, in fact, we are just as dependent on nature as all the other species on the planet.”

After his talk, Suzuki and the audience went outside and joined a group of children from Regent Park Duke of York Public School.

The students were given a few words on the importance of trees, and then helped Suzuki plant an Ohio buckeye tree.

Public lecture draws a crowd Later that evening, a second event with Suzuki

was held for the general public at the John Bassett Theatre in downtown Toronto. The evening started with a slideshow presentation

by Beth Edney CLD, chair of LO’s Landscape Design Commodity Group. Edney and a group of volunteers recently made seven year-old Rachel’s dream come true: to have her own butterfly garden. Rachel’s garden was made possible through many volunteers and the Make a Wish Foundation. With Rachel by her side at the podium, Edney showed pictures of the garden’s construction to the audience.

Rachel then took the spotlight and introduced David Suzuki to the 400-plus people in attendance.

The importance of green Suzuki spoke about our relationship with the environment and about our role in the natural world. He commented on the inability of governments, economists and corporations to do anything constructive to clean up the environment and urged people to put pressure on government officials to make the environment a top priority for our country.

After his lecture, Suzuki answered a few questions from the audience and signed copies of his books.

Landscape Ontario recognizes the fol-

Wearing a LO jacket, Dr. Suzuki and students plant a tree at the TBG

62 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

lowing individuals and companies who helped make the event possible: Beth Edney, Dana and Rachel, Islington Nurseries, Loblaws, LO Toronto Chapter, Make a Wish Foundation, Sick Kids Bravery Heart Campaign, Sick Kids Foundation, Toronto Botanical Garden and Toyota Canada.

LEGAL ISSUES

Preserving the claim for lien

By Rob Kennaley McLachlin & Associates

A

s discussed in previous articles, contractors and subcontractors have a lien for the value of the services or materials they supply to an “improvement,” as those terms are defined under the Construction Lien Act. The lien arises as soon as the contractor or subcontractor first commences, whether it is the first shovel in the ground, or the first delivery of materials. The lien is, with some exceptions, a Rob Kennaley charge against the interest of the owner of the premises.

Contractors and subcontractors will lose their lien rights, unless they follow the necessary steps to “preserve” the lien within an applicable 45-day period. If they do not follow the necessary steps to preserve the lien, the lien expires and cannot be revived. The various 45-day periods have been dealt with in previous articles and will not be covered here. In this article, we will outline how the lien is preserved, with special attention to the steps that may be required where the lien does not attach to the interest of the owner in the premises.

A lien may be preserved in one of two ways.

Generally, a lien is preserved through the registration of a claim for lien, in a form determined by the Act and in the land registry office where the lands that have been improved are located. In certain circumstances, however, the lien will not attach to the interest of an owner, and the lien will need to be preserved in an alternative manner.

Where the subject premises are owned by the Crown, are a public street or highway owned by a municipality, or are a railway right-of-way, the claim for lien is not registered against the title to the subject premises. Rather, written notice of the claim for lien, along with a supporting “Affidavit of Verification” must be given to the owner in accordance with the Act. If the claim for lien relates to an interest of the Crown, a copy of the claim for lien and affidavit must be provided to the office prescribed by regulation or, where no office has been prescribed, to the ministry or Crown agency responsible for the improvement made. If the claim for lien relates to a public street or highway owned by a municipality, then a copy of the claim for lien and affidavit shall

be given to the clerk of the municipality. Finally, preservation of a lien in relation to a railway right-of-way requires that a copy of the claim for lien and affidavit be given to the manager (or other person apparently in charge) of any office of the railway in Ontario.

In each of these situations, a lien will not be preserved until the designated person, office, ministry or crown agency is given the claim for lien and affidavit of verification. Although this process may sound straightforward, it is not nearly as trouble-free as it may seem.

Determining whether or not a lien attaches to the premises is crucial, for if you attempt to preserve through registration, but should have preserved by delivering written notice, you will lose your lien rights.

“Generally, a lien is preserved through the registration of a claim for lien, in a form determined by the Act and in the land registry office where the lands that have been improved are located.”

How do you then determine if your lien attaches to the premises? While in some circumstances the answer is obvious (where, for example, you are working on a municipal street or a railway), in other circumstances research and analysis will be required to determine whether you must preserve by giving the proper documents to the appropriate party, as set out in the Act and its Regulations.

Consider, for example, you are working on an improvement at a community college, a casino, a local museum or art gallery, or other educational, cultural, health or tourist-oriented institution. In some circumstances, preservation may be done through registration, and in other circumstances it may not. Further, there may be circumstances where there will be more than one owner, such that both methods of preservation may be required. Unfortunately for contractors and subcontractors, there is no definite list of institutions that are owned by the Crown, or are Crown agencies, which can make it difficult to determine how to preserve a claim for lien.

The point to remember is that you should not presume, as your 45th day approaches, that the registration of a claim for lien will be sufficient to avoid its expiry. In some circumstances, other steps will have to be taken. In circumstances where you are concerned that you may be providing services or materials to the Crown, to a Crown Agency, to a municipal street or highway, or to a railway right-of-way, you should seek qualified construction law advice to ensure that your rights are protected. More importantly, you should not wait until the 43rd or 44th day to do so. This is because that in many circumstances research and analysis must be performed to determine what, in fact, has to be done to protect your lien rights.

Robert Kennaley is a former landscape design build contractor and a honourary member of Landscape Ontario. Robert can be reached at (416) 368-2555, or at kennaley@mclauchlin.ca.

This material is for information purposes and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers who have concerns about any particular circumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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CLASSIFIED ADS NURSERY STOCK GROUND COVERS UNLIMITED Your Ontario source for ornamental and native ground covers. Call, fax, or write for the 2008 Catalogue and planting guide.

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FRANK SCHENK PERENNIALS 663 River Road (Belfountain), Caledon, ON L7K 0E5 Tel: (519) 927-5415 Fax: (519) 927-9084

EQUIPMENT BOWIE HYDROMULCHERS (New and Used) FLEXTERRA FGM HYDROBLANKETS BFM F4 NETTLESS ECB MULCH IT P.O. Box 100, Putnam, ON N0L 2B0 Tel: (519) 425-0342 • Fax: (519) 425-4195 www.mulchit.on.ca

EQUIPMENT

Hydroseeders and Bark Blowers New and Used All Types of Mulches, Soil Guard (BFM), Erosion Control Blankets, Tackifiers Call Peter 1-888-298-9911 www.fibramulch.com TRUCKS FOR SALE All trucks are in running condition and were daily workers in 08 season.

Vans: 91 GMC Rally van, 5.7L, gas, 4 speed auto, engine replaced 06 - $4000. 94 Ford E150 van, 5.0L, Gas, 4 speed auto, 281K - $500.

Diamond plate steel flatbed: 95 Ford F450 – 7.5L gas, 4 speed auto, 149K - $4000. 92 Ford F450 - 7.5L gas, 4 speed auto, $4000. 89 Ford F450 – 7.3L, Diesel, 5 speed standard, 191k - $4000. 88 Ford F450 – 7.3L, Diesel, 5 speed standard, 190k - $3000. 88 Chevy 3500, 5.7L, Gas, 3 speed auto, 214K - $2000.

Contact Danny at (416) 261-7848

Horticulture Review’s new

EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP

• HR readers are Landscape Ontario members, the industry’s largest, most successful and most progressive players.

• Readership for HR is sky-high, because members are keenly interested in their vibrant association, and their industry friends.

• HR readers are constantly looking for equipment to boost productivity.

• Distribution is 2,300 copies, all to horticulture industry professionals, concentrated in the Golden Horseshoe A special regular advertising section for equipment ONLY! Call Susan Therrien at 905-875-1805, ext. 305 or 1-800-265-5656 or stherrien@landscapeontario.com to discuss ways to sell your equipment more effectively!

64 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Stevensville Lawn Service Inc Niagara’s largest and longest established landscape firm is accepting applications for the following: Full-time Landscape Designer/ Project Coordinator Full-time Landscape Supervisor Full-time Landscape Foreman Full-time Landscape Lead Hand • Minimum 5 years experience in all aspects of commercial/residential properties • Minimum 1 year experience in leading a crew • Ability to operate all related equipment • Organized, self-motivated individuals who work well with others • Must be able to lead a crew of 3-5 people efficiently and effectively • Must have valid “G” drivers license with a clean abstract Full-time Certified Horticultural Technician (Retail Garden Centre) Competitive wages and benefit packages to be determined upon experience.

E-mail: terry@slsi or fax (905) 382-3580

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ADVERTISER’S INDEX EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ontario landscaping limited Experienced nursery labourers required to perform manual work. To assist in cultivating, digging and planting of trees. Labourer hourly rate $15.00.

Also required driver – class A licence, Z certificate and mobile crane operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.

Seasonal employment starting April 1/09 to Nov. 30/09.

Job site Keswick, Ont. Fax resume to (905) 898-0360 or call (905) 898-6856

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

All ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $42.00 (GST included) per column inch. Min. order $42.00. 10% discount on 6 consecutive insertions of the same ad. Annual rates available.

Box Numbers: Additional $10. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (Jan. deadline is Dec. 1). Space limited to first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario.com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online ads: Website only ads are $42.00 (GST included). Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words. View online ads at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE

Braun Nursery Ltd.................................................. 13,63..........905-648-1911................................. www.braungroup.com Canadale Nurseries Ltd........................................... 67.............519-631-1008..................................... www.canadale.com Congress 2009.......................................................... 2..............800-265-5656.................................. www.locongress.com Congress Tailgate XIII............................................... 9...................................................................... www.locongress.com Draglam Salt............................................................. 66.............416-798-7050................................. www.draglamsalt.com Hillen Nursery Inc...................................................14-15..........519-264-9057 Hort Protect.............................................................. 12......................................................................www.hortprotect.com Julie Moir Messervy Workshop................................ 59.............613-747-0600........ www.horttrtades.com/ottawaseminars Limestone Trail..........................................................11.............905-563-8133.............................. www.limestonetrail.com LO Awards of Excellence......................................... 65........................................................................... www.loawards.ca LO Green Trade Expo.............................................. 55.............613-796-5156..................................... www.greentrade.ca New England Grows................................................ 67.............508-653-3009........................................www.negrows.org Newroads National Leasing...................................... 7..............416-587-1021.........................www.newroadsleasing.com Sheridan Nurseries................................................... 4..............416-798-7970....................... www.sheridannurseries.com Sipkens Nurseries Ltd.............................................. 55.............866-843-0438.........................www.sipkensnurseries.com Stam Nurseries........................................................ 60.............519-462-1873............................. www.stamnurseries.com Stonemen’s Valley Inc.............................................. 53.............905-841-8400......................... www.stonemensvalley.com Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd............................................ 59.............877-655-3379....................... www.uxbridgenurseries.com V.Kraus Nurseries Ltd............................................... 8..............905-689-4022............................ www.krausnurseries.com Vitamin Institute........................................................ 68.............800-441-8482..................................www.superthrive.com Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd......................................... 57.............519-647-3912................................www.winkelmolen.com Zander Sod Co Ltd................................................... 58.............877-727-2100...................................www.zandersod.com

1999 F550

Selling a number of items!

A Ford F250 with a plow. It is a 4X4, only 99,000 km, excellent condition, certified, emission tested, arctic 8 ft. plow, 2nd set of tires, extra leaf springs, rhino lined in the 8ft box, recently put in $2500.00 for brakes, rotors, ball joints, u joints, regularly maintained and easy on past snow jobs.

Asking price is $21,500.

Additional Items: I also am selling 2 railway storage containers.

They are 20ft by 8ft and in great shape.

Also selling a 2004 4ft model 553 Bobcat. Only 600 hours.

The last item I am selling is a 2001 14ft bobcat trailer. It is in good shape. As is and best offer.

Contact - Mario Phone - 905-565-2410

1999 F550 with 10’ dump box.

4X4, 5 speed overdrive 7.3li Triton Diesel. 203,000kms, Well maintained, injectors recently replaced. Truck not winter driven or used to plough or sand since 2004. 9’ V-Plough and Tailgate salter with auger attachment and broadcasting assembly included. MUST SELL.

Celebrating excellence in Construction, Maintenance and Design

Tuesday January 6, 2009

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Plaza Ballroom Ceremony to follow the President’s Reception Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served at 4:45 pm

5:15pm – 7:00pm Awards Ceremony $20 per person

$24,500

(one complimentary admission per awards entry)

Contact - Jacki Hart Phone - 705-706-1425

Semi-formal attire is suggested.

To purchase ceremony tickets please go to

www.loawards.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008 65

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

New Years resolutions – dare to be different!

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager

D

ecember is a busy month. Social calendars are full of friends and family, snow to clear, coats and boots to dig out of storage, travel plans, shopping lists, home decorating… December seems to fly by me in a blur.

January rolls around WAY too quickly, and the first thing I seem to bump into every year is someone asking about what ‘resolutions’ I made for myself on New Year’s Day. Most of my Jacki Hart resolutions include dealing with the post-holiday shock induced by stepping on the bathroom scales. Mostly resolutions revolve around ‘doing something different,’ or deciding to ‘stop doing’ something entirely. Most resolutions are about personal improvement.

Pretty well all New Year’s resolutions get broken or forgotten in the first month, but a few – the ones I have real conviction about – stick because I was ready for a change and needed an excuse to make that change.

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2009 will be to invite business owners, who have started their journey to Prosperity in the Prosperity Partners program, to share their experience of the program with you – featuring a different business in this space in Horticulture Review each month.

I have a lot of conviction about the Prosperity Partners program, and have enjoyed meeting over 150 business owners face-to-face. I really thrive on hearing the positive experience and steps this program provides. I think you, too, will enjoy reading about their journey to prosperity.

What will your New Year’s resolutions be?

Are you thinking of doing something different?

Are you thinking that you should stop doing one thing and start doing something else? Whether business or personal, taking time to think quietly about who you are and what you are doing is a huge part of the journey.

As a holiday gift, I’d like to share following: “The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, and we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense, and more knowledge, but less judgment. We have more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

“We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

“We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

“We’ve learned how to make a living, but

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Providing Quality Bulk, Bagged & Environmentally Friendly De-Icers 66 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - December 15, 2008

not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space, but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

“These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...“ Whatever changes you quietly promise to make for your journey to better living – I hope it will include networking with your community of friends and peers at Landscape Ontario, and reminding yourself of the passion you have about the work you do so well.

My very best wishes for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Jacki Hart is available by e-mail at prosperity@landscapeontario.com. Jacki’s earlier columns are available online at www.horttrades.com/prospart

BULK SALT 24 Hour Hotline 416.798.7050

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Garden Centre Owners and Buyers: Are you cautious about the coming spring?

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In 2009, set yourself apart with unique plant material. Your customers will still want new and unique plants to make their yards their own. Canadale can help with it’s Specialty, Unique and New plant lists.

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Let us pre-price your nursery stock (please give us enough notice) so that your staff can focus on selling and up-selling.

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