Landscape Ontario - December 2015

December 2015 www.horttrades.com

TREES to honour HEROES

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Mark Cullen (centre) puts his muscle into the Highway of Heroes tree planting project, flanked

by Lou Renaldi and Jim Harrison.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A time to look back

By Dave Braun LO president

W

hen I started my term as Landscape Ontario president two years ago, I wanted the direction for the organization to be, “Growing Together.” We sure have. I’m proud to report that thanks to the visionary leadership of volunteers and staff, our organization is the strongest that it has ever been.

Over the last two years, our membership has grown from just over 2,100 to just over 2,500 at the first of November this year. The increasing membership has allowed for LO to reinvest in members and chapters, while having continued surpluses.

Most importantly, a growing membership demonstrates that people in our industry see the value in our organization.

Being a member of Landscape Ontario continues to be relevant to business owners and meaningful to the public who choose to work with us. Chapter events

December, 2015 • Volume 33, No. 11 horttrades.com 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.

are better attended and our members more engaged than ever. There is a level of enthusiasm and excitement for our industry that I have never seen before, and LO is leading the way in bringing people within our industry together.

This past year we generated $9-million through the sale of 24 acres of our land. Thanks to the visionary leadership of past members who made this transaction possible, we have unprecedented financial strength.

The land sale puts us on course to have budget surpluses for years to come.

The promise of our future is limitless. But, success is not guaranteed unless we continue to listen, engage and lead.

Unlike any other trade organization, our work directly contributes to stronger, more beautiful communities and a healthier environment. Although we are competitors, LO members recognize that we are always stronger when working together.

I know for certain that my term as LO President wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable, or as successful, without the help of many people. First and foremost, I would like to thank Tony DiGiovanni.

Tony is a visionary, a team-builder, a diplomat and a selfless, hard-working leader.

Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLM lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Integrated solutions representative Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Darryl Bond, Kim Burton, Myscha Burton, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLM CAE, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT CEM, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh, Cassandra Wiesner

Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2015, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 11x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

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I will forever appreciate Tony’s generosity and friendship. I could not have had a more thoughtful, engaged and supportive executive and board of directors. I am so appreciative of your dedication.

The staff members who I have had the pleasure of working with are incredibly dedicated to our collective mission.

We are so lucky to have you. To all of you who volunteer your time, energy and passion, thank you for all that you have done and for continuing to inspire others to get involved. To Allan Dennis, Landscape Ontario’s tireless editor, thank you for your encouragement and thoughtfulness.

I, and the rest of Landscape Ontario, will miss you and we wish you the best of luck in your retirement.

I also want to congratulate incoming President, Paul Brydges. His wisdom, insights and leadership will undoubtedly help Landscape Ontario continue to thrive.

I have SO enjoyed being your President for the last two years. Meeting and interacting with our members has been an honour and a privilege. I have learned that the people and businesses that are the most successful are those who have the attitude of selflessness and generosity.

When you plant a tree that you may never sit under yourself, you are contributing something much larger than right now.

Together, let’s continue to serve and strengthen the organization and the industry that we love.

Dave Braun may be reached at dbraun@landscapeontario.com.

LO ANNUAL REPORT

Page 15

FOUNDATION REPORT Page 48

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FEATURES HIGHWAY OF HEROES CANADA BLOOMS

ASSOCIATION NEWS NEW MEMBERS EVENTS INDUSTRY NEWS COLUMNS CLASSIFIEDS AD INDEX

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A ceremonial tree planting at the Coroner’s Office Complex in Toronto on Nov. 6 began the Highway of Heroes campaign to plant 117,000 trees along Hwy. 401. In photo, from left, are some of those who took part in the Toronto ceremony, Mark Cullen, chair of the Campaign; Paula Berketo, of the Ministry of Transportation; Ken Jewett, Maple Leaves Forever; Rob Keen, Forests Ontario; Tony DiGiovanni and Dave Braun, both representing Landscape Ontario, and Eleanor McMahon, Burlington MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Exciting ceremonies begin Highway of Heroes tree project Two official ceremonies kicked-off the ambitious campaign Highway of Heroes Tribute, which will honour Canada’s war dead with the planting of 117,000 trees along Hwy. 401.

The ceremonies took place Nov. 6 at each end of the Highway of Heroes. It’s the section of Highway 401, from CFB Trenton to the Coroner’s Complex in Toronto, where Canada’s fallen service men and women are repatriated. Since 2007, thousands of people have stood on overpasses to pay their respect as motorcades made their way along the 401.

A coalition of not-for-profit organizations, including lead partners Landscape Ontario and Forests Ontario, is overseeing The Highway of Heroes Tribute Campaign with Mark Cullen as chair. Board members include LO’s executive director Tony DiGiovanni and Michael de Pencier, chairman of Investeco Capital and immediate

4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

past chair of the World Wildlife Fund. Scott Bryk is the executive director.

The day began with speeches and ceremonial tree planting at the Coroner’s Office Complex in Toronto. Taking part in the ceremony were Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation; Eleanor McMahon, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry; Michael Levitt, MP York Centre; Mark Cullen, Trees for Life; Dave Braun, Landscape Ontario president; Tony DiGiovanni; Rob Keen, Forests Ontario; Ken Jewett, Maple Leaves Forever; as well as members of Veterans Affairs, Wounded Warriors Canada, and past and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Later in the day, a similar ceremony was held at CFB Trenton, where a large group of military and civilian dignitaries gathered outside the main entrance of the building to plant a tree of remembrance. The

location is where mourning families await the aircraft carrying the remains of fallen Canadian soldiers to arrive. It’s here that each journey begins along the Highway of Heroes to Toronto.

“The concept of acknowledging Canada’s fallen in this way is the result of a discussion that started in my column in the Toronto Star over three years ago,” says Cullen.

“The idea of growing trees to symbolize Canada’s war dead is poignant. A properly planted tree can live a long, long time. It’s giving life because it converts carbon monoxide, filters toxins out of rainwater and makes the conversion to oxygen. I find a metaphor in that the people who gave their lives for Canada, so you and I can live in a free and democratic country, gave us life,” said Cullen.

In Toronto, Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said, “This project allows us to honour the men and women who have given their lives in service of our country. At the same time, it allows us to continue the greening of our highways for healthier communities and a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Eleanor McMahon, representing Minister of Natrural Resources Bill Mauro, stated, “This partnership offers a unique opportunity to honour Canada’s fallen soldiers and build on the successful Greening of the Right of Way program on Ontario’s highways.” The MPP for Burlington said she was a big supporter of the Highway of Heroes the first time Mark Cullen spoke to her about the idea. “He had me at hello,” she said.

It was announced at the Toronto ceremonies that Landscape Ontario provided the first donation towards Highway of Heroes with a pledge of $75,000. “I really love to dream of possibilities,” said DiGiovanni. “This is one dream that will give me great pleasure to see come to fruition.” He says that support for the project

by LO members is overwhelming.

The planting of the 117,000 trees is expected to begin in the spring of 2016, and take three years to complete at a cost of $20-million. “I’m optimistic we can reach our goal of $20 million,” said Cullen. The Tribute project has already received more than $500,000 in donations.

Highway of Heroes executive director Scot Bryk says tree species planted in the corridor will include sugar maple, beech, white pine, white cedar and white spruce.

“We’re interested in planting the appropriate tree that will survive,” says Bryk. He added that will include proper soil preparation and professional planting standards.

The Highway of Heroes Tribute has established an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation to plant the trees. There are over 200 specific planting sites identified by a comprehensive Landscape Master Plan that was designed by Ron Koudys of Ron Koudys Landscape Architects in London. The project is modeled after the Veterans Memorial Parkway in London.

It was the success of the London project that inspired DiGiovanni to suggest to Mark Cullen that a similar method could be used to enhance the Highway of Heroes.

Following the completion of the 117,000 trees planted, the next phase will include planting more than two million trees on private land that runs adjacent to the Highway 401 corridor.“It will involve a lot of coordination with land owners and will likely take a lot longer than five years,” said Cullen.

The planting of more than two million trees will represent each person who has ever served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Highway of Heroes project is a great tribute to the men and women in uniform, both past and present,” says 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Commanding Officer Colin Keiver.

Bryk says said the success of the proj-

ect will depend on donations from local residents, businesses, municipalities and community-based organization. “We need people to be involved and learn what we are all about. We’re looking for volunteers, donations and cash support from every corner of the country,” says Bryk.

Bryk is excited about the opportunity to see, what he describes as a meaningful project, succeed. “I couldn’t have designed a better job for myself,” says Bryk. “It covers all my interest areas, military history, horticulture, environmental protection.”

A professional biologist, Bryk served as president of the Grounds Guys, until the company was sold. “My education and background, along with my experience run-

ning the company puts me in a good position as executive director of Highway of Heroes,” said Bryk.

Asked what members of Landscape Ontario can do to help with the project, Bryk listed donations of trees, soil, mulch and at some point access to trucks and equipment. “Most of all we need them to stay interested in this project.” He also cited the opportunity for members to tell the story to their audience about Highway of Heroes Living Tribute. “The opportunity exists that our (LO) members can collectively reach over 100,000 people.”

Those interested may see more information, or to donate at hohtribute.ca.

Top photo: A number of Landscape Ontario members from the Upper Canada Chapter joined the ceremonies at CFB Trenton to launch the Highway of Heroes tree planting campaign. In photo, from left, Dave Braun, LO board president; Jay Middleton, of Scott Wentworth Landscape Group; Judy deBoer-Bell, treasurer of Upper Canada Chapter; Tony DiGiovanni, LO executive director; Scott Bryk, executive director of Highway of Heroes; Stephen Poole, of Connon Nurseries CBV Holding, which donated the tree; Sian Pritchard, of Wentworth Landscape Group, president of the Upper Canada Chapter; and Col. Colin Keiver, 8 Wing, Commander CFB Trenton. Lower photo: Scott Bryk is the new executive director of Highway of Heroes Tribute.

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The exterior of the Canada Blooms garden, Choose Your Path.

LO garden at Canada Blooms to show diversity of professions Paul Brydges wants to know how people chose their path in the green profession.

Brydges is leading the design team for the Landscape Ontario garden at Canada Blooms 2016. He plans to demonstrate to the public at the Landscape Ontario garden just how diversified and satisfying jobs can be for those working in the industry.

“Among the many traditional professions, there are still countless new ones emerging, which makes the task to choose just one path seem rather daunting,” says Brydges. He estimates there are at least 100 jobs within the profession.

Brydges is the principal and senior landscape architect at Brydges Landscape Architecture in Guelph. This is the third Canada Blooms garden he has worked on.

All sectors under the Landscape Ontario will be represented in the garden, named, Choose Your Path! He hopes the garden will help anyone already in, or anyone who is interested, to explore a lifelong career in the ever-evolving green profession.

“I say profession, because what we all do is so unique and different that it is impossible to distil down what we do into one aspect of any trade, or industry

6 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

career,” says Brydges. He wants to see Landscape Ontario members change the term from green industry to green profession. “We need to show the public that to achieve what we do, you need to be a professional.”

Brydges says that the garden will pose the question to those looking for opportunities to find a career that fulfills their need to be outside, working to enhance their life and their environment.

“Gone are the days of hiring summer students as the bulk of the work force to get through the busy landscape season from May to September,” says Brydges.

“Most companies and firms are running full out for at least ten months of the year.

The slow time (if we can really call it that) is often only briefly through the December holiday season, prior to yet another seasonal change in weather.” More and more of the good jobs in the profession are year-round.

Ongoing training of staff is becoming more and more critical as projects become more complex. This stems from client requests, newly emerging technologies and materials as well as government regulations.

As projects gain more and more com-

plexity, the need for teamwork and qualified staff has become more apparent for business owners in the profession. “The shortage of skilled professionals due to the perception behind the profession has historically been poor,” says Brydges.

“Look at the broad number of opportunities most colleges and universities offer in green professions.”

He points out that from the science of soils and hydrology in the engineering realm, through the direct links of horticulture with plant production from growth and maintenance to food production, we see the direct connections to green professions. “If we look deeper into almost any project now being created, including the Landscape Ontario garden, we see so many other professions where someone can find a niche career in the green profession.”

Brydges says that pollinator gardens, rain gardens and lately fusion gardens are finding their way into more and smaller urban spaces. “Property owners are realizing that by working to make a small difference on their own, collectively we can make a big impact on some of our top concerns with the environment.”

He cites as an example, designing a space to manage water for reuse, to slow down runoff and to prevent erosion.

“It is one of the most important factors in creating a healthy landscape. Fusion gardens is a new initiative by several municipalities to use this and many other

core design values to help property owners create healthy, sustainable landscapes on typically a small scale.”

Colleges or universities across the country are offering a wide array of green profession courses. “Look at any large scale landscape project in detail and you will see these professions, or the effects of them at work,” says Brydges.

He says that many firms are becoming multidisciplinary and sending in staff members back for additional ongoing skills training to keep up with modern project requirements. “Landscape Ontario is one conduit that offers a multitude of courses throughout the year to keep staff up to speed on the latest skills and safety training,” he says.

Apprenticeship programs through companies are also a way for an employee to become a lifelong professional within a firm. The shortage of skilled staff is a problem that all firms are facing.

Brydges says that it takes a vast array of professionals to create the LO garden at Canada Blooms. “Without all those professionals, the garden would not be possible,” says Brydges.

He hopes visitors to the garden will take the time to explore and learn what it takes to create such beauty. Brydges says, “We hope people will leave the garden inspired and that it helps, Choose Your Path!”

This year’s Landscape Ontario garden will feature all sectors in the profession.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Ottawa Chapter marks 10th anniversary of Day of Tribute Giving back to the community is very personal, yet a prevalent action among many Ottawa Chapter members.

The 10th anniversary of the Ottawa Day of Tribute was held on Oct. 30, by members volunteering their day to maintain the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood in Ottawa.

This event has continually taken place the week before the November 11 Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa. The brainchild of Sharon Rouette-Urquhart of Green Unlimited, it began as her way of giving back to Canadian veterans and their families.

The Government of Canada declared 2005 the Year of the Veteran. Actually, a year-long event, it had a purpose to teach, remember, thank, honour and cel-

ebrate those who gave selflessly and honourably.

Rouette-Urquhart knew she wanted to give back to those Canadians who had given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the freedoms that we continue to have to this day. She also knew that members of the landscape and horticultural industry are very good at maintaining, beautifying property and landscapes. It was that purpose of remembrance, along with using what membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strengths in numbers could achieve, that made the Ottawa Day of Tribute a celebrated, planned and continually successful event for the past decade.

Throughout the decade, there has been great participation from many sector group members in Ottawa at the event.

Sectors include grounds maintenance, lawn care, designers, garden centres, irrigation, landscape contractors, arborists, horticulturalists and students, both from secondary school programs and the horticultural industries programs.

During this time, members from Upper Canada Chapter also volunteered their time at this event, as their way of giving back. Ottawa Chapter member John Smit, of Peter Smit and Sons, has volunteered from the beginning. His personal reason for participating is his brother, who is now retired from the Canadian military service.

The current chair of the event is retired Chief Warrant Officer Pete Campbell, from Geosynthetic Systems. Campbell has come to appreciate meeting all the participating members, along with the pride that industry members give at a time of the year when they are all trying to close their businesses for the season.

Campbell has participated in the maintenance, alongside seasoned members of the green industry, while they aerate, seed, fertilizer, rake, shred leaves to clean the grounds. He would also like to take this event to the next stage, by creating such event on the same day at the

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Over the past ten years, there has been great participation from members Ottawa Chapter and officials from the Canadian Armed Forces at the Day of Tribute to maintain the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood in Ottawa. In photo are some of those who took part this year.

same time, in every Chapter.

Donations and sponsorship for this year’s event came from Bradley’s Commercial Insurance, Geosynthetic systems, Manderley Turf Products, Peter Knippel Nursery, Plant Products and Sipan Tires, which donated a gift card towards a set of tires for a member participant.

This year’s event began just after

dawn at the cemetery, with greetings and recognitions from attendees, including representative Dominique Boulais from the Canadian War Graves Commission; Chief Warrant Officer David Snyder, Department of National Defence; Roger Boldt, National Military Cemetery Beechwood; Canadian Forces Warrant Officer Clayton Neville; Ottawa Chapter Presi-

dent Sundaura Alford; and Bobbi Falkner from Manderley Turf Products. Also present representing Ottawa Board members were Andrew Burgess, of Natural Impressions, and Chris Urquhart, of Green Unlimited.

The following members are thanked for participating in this year’s event: Green Unlimited, Weedman - Ottawa,

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Ottawa Chapter volunteers donate their time and equipment to ensure the National Military Cemetery is prepared for Remembrance Day.

Lafleur de la Capitale, Peter Smit and Sons, Natural Impressions Landscaping and Jerome Landscaping.

The Ottawa Chapter expresses its sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Sharon Rouette-Urquhart for her foresight in creating this decade-long event that continues to give back to the community.

Rouette-Urquhart and this event have continued to follow the mandate of the Year of the Veteran: to teach, remember, thank honour and celebrate those who gave selflessly and honourably.

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NEW FEATURES PLANNED FOR CONGRESS ’16

Congress is coming, Jan. 11 to 14, at the Toronto Congress Centre. It’s another year, in which the task is to re-invent and improve upon a thriving event that has been around for 43 years.

Over the last few years, new events have been added and features updated.

Congress has been very fortunate to grow an amazing profit-centre for the association. The organizing committee regularly receives feedback from delegates on how much they learned and enjoyed themselves.

The co-location of Congress with the Canadian Fence Industry Association’s Fencecraft and Landscape Ontario’s multiple partnerships in the Green Infrastructure Pavilion, a show-within-a-show, offers a glimpse into allied industry’s products and creates multiple business opportunities from new and untapped markets.

For 43 years, thousands of green industry professionals have explored over eight acres of leading suppliers’ products and services. The timely and comprehensive four-day, top-rated conference program features acclaimed industry and business experts. Full session details may be viewed at LOcongress.com, but make sure you have a cup of java nearby, as there is some great browsing on hand.

In partnership with Landscape Ontario’s Hardscape Committee, Congress presents Hardscape LIVE! It’s a new attraction to the show floor. Pat McCrindle will school the audience on hardscape installation techniques with a live build over the three days, with daily instruction at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. McCrindle has installed more than

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eight million sq. ft. of pavers over a 30-year career. He has the highest possible accreditation as an instructor for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, and has been the highest rated speaker at the Hardscape North America’s live demo for many years.

He’s a dynamic presenter and knows what he is talking about.

Catch the live build in Hall F on Tuesday, from 10 – 11 a.m. Learn the tools of the hardscape trade and what you need to succeed as we transition from landscaper to hardscaper. From 2 – 3 p.m., it’s Excavation and Base Prep. Learn how to properly evaluate your working conditions, and how to prepare your materials, equipment and labour for the job. On Wednesday, from 10 – 11 a.m., it’s Basic Paver Installation. From selecting a paver to cleaning up the job site, you will learn the step-bystep process of the proper installation of paving stones. From 2 – 3 p.m., it’s Fireplaces, Fire Pits and Barbecues. Whether it’s wood burning or gas, McCrindle will delve into the best practices for building hardscape fireplaces and fire pits, and also discuss the proper construction, costing and maintenance of outdoor barbecues; a growing trend in hardscaping. On Thursday, from 10 – 11 a.m., it’s Raised Patio Construction. This session outlines how to evaluate your existing topography and ground conditions for raised patio construction, and selecting the proper materials for the job. There will also be an outline on the considerations that must be addressed when constructing a raised patio. From 2 – 3 p.m., it’s Lighting Your Hardscape. Enhance your hardscape environment with the proper installation and allocation of hardscape lighting.

Also new to the show floor in Hall A is Speakers Corner, featuring The Underground World: Preventing Utility Damages.

This up-close and personal approach to learning will see safety take the front seat right on the show floor. The Dig Safe alliance, in partnership with ORCGA, will highlight dos and don’ts and prepare contractors for the coming season.

If you are looking for more, the four-day conference program begins on Warm-up Monday, with a series of industry specific events: IPM Symposium, Landscape Designer Conference and Peer-to-Peer Network, with the Irrigation Conference on Thursday.

The full conference schedule, running Jan. 12 to 14, will help you discover new concepts, ideas and valuable insight from leading industry experts. The program is full of great options for employees and business owners wanting to stay a step ahead. The 2016 line-up boasts daily open-

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ASSOCIATION NEWS ing keynotes from Kate Davis on Balancing Life With Humour; Eric Darden sharing some of Disney’s Epcot Center’s methodology to success; and Andy Masters encouraging you to, yes, Kiss Your Customer (you should definitely attend to find out more).

Lunch programming continues to be a highlight with LMN running the Landscape Open with insights and inspiration to grow your business. This will be presented by Mark Bradley and Mike Lysecki on Day 1. Ron Rosenberg will teach delegates to double their memory for business success on Day 2, and celebrity entertainer Mike Mandel drills down with Brain Software; a communication lesson not to be missed.

Taking time to attend the trade show and conference is hard work, so don’t forget to unwind at the popular social events, Awards of Excellence ceremony Tuesday night, and the LMN After Party following the awards. And, of course, don’t miss the famous Tailgate Party on Wednesday night.

Congress offers eight acres of more than 600 multi-national vendors, under one roof; the ideal purchasing environment for design-build, fence, landscape and pool contractors, as well grounds managers, landscape designers, irrigation and lighting contractors, all looking to see the latest technologies, equipment, tools and products on the market. If you influence purchasing decisions for your business, then you won’t want to miss this event.

Congress is strategically placed at

beginning of the new year, so green industry personnel — from contractors and designers to suppliers and affiliates alike — can all kick off 2016 together. It literally is a one-stop shop that is rich in professional development, vendors, innovative products, education and networking opportunities.

Register today at LOcongress.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT BURNS

Robert Kingsley Burns passed away peacefully on Nov. 2, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer at the Northumberland Hills Hospital.

The beloved husband of 48 years to Rowena, he was the loving father to Steven Burns (Angela) and Fiona Wood (Spencer), and devoted grandfather to Rhianna and Tristan Wood and caring brother of Judith Rees-Thomas.

After a career as a chemical technologist at Outboard Marine and Zircatec, Robert Burns enjoyed his retirement years running Burns Water Gardens with his wife. He will be remembered for his love of nature, adventurous spirit and his ability to fix or build anything. He will be

greatly missed by all who knew him.

Long-time members of Landscape Ontario, with booths at Garden Expo and sometimes Congress, Burns Water Gardens was one of the recipients of the first Green for Life Awards.

The couple ran the business as a partnership for 23 years. It became one of the largest water garden specialists in Canada.

Robert Burns was also on the board of the International Water Gardening Society. The business was closed this past spring.

A Celebration of Life was held at Columbus Hall in Cobourg, on Nov. 7.

LO PIONEER RECEIVES HIS COMMUNITY’S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Paul Olsen, a honourary life member of Landscape Ontario, was named as Citizen of the Year in King Township.

Olsen is the owner of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries in Schomberg.

Olsen’s latest honour came earlier in the year, in what the local newspaper, King Weekly Sentinel, described as the highlight of the event, which honoured the community’s volunteers.

Mayor Steve Pellegrini said that volunteerism is essential. “Not only do your efforts create a foundation that defines the character of King, but they immeasurably enhance the quality of our community.”

The awards were initiated by the residents of King, who nominate the recipients.

Olsen has been a strong supporter and member of the Nobleton Lions Club for 45 years, embraced the annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides fundraiser in Nobleton, served as a member of the Nobleton Community Hall Board and the Nobleton

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Arena and was actively involved in establishing the new King Curling Club at the Trisan Centre. He has also been involved in the Nobleton United Church and secured a grant to help the church’s accessibility. He volunteers for several Township committees and has been a local businessman for many years.

The past president of Landscape Ontario —1996-1997 — continues to volunteer with the Association, as a member of the Building Committee.

The newspaper article on the awards may be found kingsentinel.com/?p=6026.

and Design, Thunderbolt Contracting and Welwyn Wong Landscape Design.

Greely Sand and Gravel will once again provide sand for the build and Manderley Turf Products will donate sod. Other Ottawa Chapter Associate members who have offered to supply materials include:

Cohen and Cohen Natural Stone, Geosynthetic Systems, Permacon and Techo-Bloc.

Plant sourcing is in the initial stages and forcing is expected to take place at Otter Greenhouses in Port Perry to ensure that there is plenty of foliage and blossoms for the Easter weekend show.

There are still a few subsidised garden spaces available. Any interested builders are encouraged to contact Martha Walsh if they would like to be involved with the show. Email martha@landscapeontario. com, or call 613 796-5156.

PLANS UNDERWAY FOR OTTAWA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

Planning is well underway for the gardens at the Ottawa Home and Garden Show 2016.

This year’s event will take place at the EY Centre from Mar. 25 to 28. The proposed 12 gardens will be created in a 30,000 sq. ft. space presented under the Landscape Ontario banner.

The home show media campaign will focus heavily on the gardens, with initial information going out in December and the campaign ramping up heavily in the weeks leading up to the show. All media will feature Landscape Ontario as the partner for the show and will have huge brand building potential in the local market.

The current list of garden builders includes: Algonquin College Horticultural Industries Program, Garden Creations of Ottawa, Hansen Lawn and Gardens, Harmony Gardens Landscaping, Les Entreprises Marechal, Terrascapes Landscape

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2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 Annual Report President’s Message

Work continues to achieve our vision Back when I first became president of this great association, I wrote in my first column, “Whether members are landscapers, garden centre owners, growers or designers, we believe in the philosophy that we’re all in it together, instead of, ‘You’re on your own, and you have to fend for yourself.’ ” After serving my two years in office as your president, I believe in the above statement even more now. Landscape Ontario truly does bring us all together. I have many examples in my role as president. Proof that the LO model is one of generosity, long-term thinking and pragmatism; one that has helped hundreds of our members grow their businesses many times over.

In my final President’s column in the magazine, I thanked a number of people for their help during my term. I also thank the members of LO for the privilege and honour to serve as president for the past two years.

I was continually amazed at the incredible spirit of volunteerism

that our members demonstrate at every level. On visits to chapters, sector groups and LO functions, I would always see that the spirit of volunteerism displayed. It truly is inspiring.

I look back over the many events, projects and meetings. There are so many outstanding recollections. To name a few Canada Blooms, the major increase in our scholarship funding, the sale of property at the LO home office, the planting of memorial trees to honour three of our pioneers who have passed on, and most recently the very impressive opening ceremonies for the Highway of Heroes tree project.

Let us all continue to work toward the achievement of our vision. I know very well our great organization is in good hands to ensure that vision will be put into practice.

Thank you all for your support.

Respectfully submitted, Dave Braun President 2015

Treasurer’s Report

Congress, magazines and land sale keep LO strong It has been a busy and prosperous year for LO. Congress did well again this year, bringing in revenues of $2,046,835. This is slightly down from last year, but still one of the most successful events of its kind in North America.

Dave Braun’s pledge to increase membership resulted in a growth of five per cent in revenue from membership. The magazines continue to buck the trend and are growing in an environment of declining magazine revenues. The continued strength of the association resulted in a surplus of $84,000, which is well above the budget of $6,000. A $20,000 surplus was allocated to the Promotion Fund and the remainder to the Industry Development Fund.

This year also saw the closing of the land deal, which netted the association close to $9-million. It was suggested by the Past Presi-

dents, at a meeting last year, that we set up a committee to oversee the investment of our legacy. We did just that. A select group of members was put together, under the chairmanship of Warren Patterson, to create an investment policy, choose an investment advisor and advise the finance committee. This is to protect and grow our legacy for future generations.

A portion of the money from the land sale was allocated to the Building Improvement Fund to finance future renovations at Home Office, while the remainder was put in a new Legacy Fund, where the intent is to grow at a rate of five to six per cent in perpetuity.

Again, I commend our pioneering members who gave us the foundation, which allows us to be the strongest horticultural association in North America.

Respectfully submitted, Dave Wright Treasurer 2015 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 15

Executive Director’s Report

Awesome members lead to association’s success and relevance Another year has raced by and it’s time to report our collective accomplishments.

Reports reflect the past. The real purpose of these reports, however, is to inspire the future.

One of my favourite ways of describing our mission is, “We are in the business of enhancing lives.” It makes sense, therefore, to use the following questions to measure our performance. Have our activities improved the lives of our membership? Have we made the world a better place? Do our activities reflect the values of collaboration, contribution, integrity, professionalism and community? Reading through the many reports, it is easy to be inspired by the amazing and awesome members who lead our organization. I am sure that most would answer the questions with an unequivocal, “Yes!” There are very few organizations in the world that enjoy such a committed, dedicated and vibrant membership. It is the reason for our continued success and relevance.

State of the industry

This year has been the most positive in years. Most members report they are very busy. There is high demand for landscape services.

Growers and garden centres also report the best season in many years. Spring, summer and fall weather has been very conducive for industry growth. Some of the exuberance can be related to the Pan Am Games. Thousands of plants were required to landscape the many venues across the province. Record housing prices, coupled

2015 Provincial Board of Directors.

16 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

with low interest rates, are making many homeowners feel prosperous. In many cases, they are using equity in their homes to finance landscaping projects. The common and perennial complaint is there is not enough labour to get the job done.

Comments about the president

This marks the end of Dave Braun’s two years as president. Dave has been an excellent representative. He is articulate, inspiring and diplomatic. He listens intently and speaks with wisdom. He is one of the youngest presidents Landscape Ontario has ever had. He reflects the new generation that will take over responsibility for building our association and industry. Dave’s theme was Growing Together. At the beginning of his term, his goals were to encourage growth of the association and the individuals within it. He also wanted to preside over the sale of the excess property. I am pleased to report that both of Dave’s main goals were accomplished. We have more members than ever. The surplus land is sold. We are now in a very fortunate position where the acceleration of our mission is possible.

Thank you, Dave.

Here are some highlights of Landscape Ontario issues and activities for 2015.

Sold - Development plan for home office

We sold 24 of our 48 acres for $9.2 million. This marks the beginning of a new era for Landscape Ontario. We have significant resources to accelerate industry development. President Dave Braun went on a lis-

2015 ANNUAL REPORT tening tour to make sure we take into account input from all members (including ones with soft voices). The building committee is also planning a major renovation of the LO home office.

Legacy Committee

In order to safeguard the assets of the association, the board has formed a legacy committee which will make recommendations on developing a framework for spending the resources. The committee will act as a gatekeeper to ensure optimum stewardship of members’ resources.

Mitigating effects of seasonality on labour recruitment and retention

This is still the number one issue. A prioritized Human Resource plan has been developed with CNLA. In addition, we had the opportunity to align our plans with the CNLA Professional Development Committee. The result is very clear direction going forward. Promotion of the apprenticeship program is the primary priority. Integration and laddering between all programs (including certification) is the strategy.

Regional manager in Eastern Ontario

The association is in the process of hiring a regional manager for the Ottawa area. The vision for the future is to develop a physical and staff presence in Eastern and Western Ontario.

Chapter governance training and support with integration of sector groups and chapters

for the value of environmental, economic and life-enhancing value of natural infrastructure. The present priority is to lobby for a Green Infrastructure Fund with money raised from the proposed Cap and Trade system being introduced by the provincial government.

Complete Water Smart Irrigation Professional Program (WSIP)

Landscape Ontario was hired by two regional governments to develop the WSIP program. Any irrigation contractor dealing with the regions must be certified. This is the region’s strategy to reduce water use by using professional conservation-oriented companies.

Peer to Peer Network

The Peer-to-Peer Network has grown from 12 to 71 members since January. The group meets face-to-face four times per year and keeps connected through a private LinkedIn group. Before joining the group, members are asked to sign a contribution and privacy pledge. The group is very helpful and is making a positive difference.

Practice Act for LAs and Name Act for Designers The Landscape Designers Sector Group is pursuing a Name Act in conjunction with the OALA pursuing a Practice Act. LO has representation on the OALA committee. This will be a long-term project.

Complete Lighting Manual and Certification Process

We continue to focus on local relevance. Bringing together Chapter and Sector Group representatives on a regular basis is providing direction, engagement and enhanced unity across the province.

The Lighting group has developed a Certified Landscape Lighting program. A manual has been developed and test questions have been composed. A final edit is the next step before introducing the program to the trade.

Green Infrastructure Coalition

Company Accreditation Investigation

The Coalition continues to make great progress in raising awareness

The investigation of Company Accreditation has been on the agenda

The Landscape Designers Sector Group continues to pursue a Name Act.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 17

Case Vanderkruk at Connon Nurseries NVK took on the responsibility of creating oak trees to return to Vimy Ridge in 2017.

for the last five years. The investigation has broadened beyond Landscape Ontario to Planet in the U.S., and CNLA. We hope to make progress on this issue by late 2016.

Trees for Life/Highway of Heroes Campaign

OJT has the potential to significantly increase professionalism, because it fits the existing training profile of the industry. The main barrier to progress has been the lack of trainers. OJT remains an HR priority.

Trees for Life has undertaken a major project to landscape the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto. Scott Bryk (formerly president of Grounds Guys) has been hired as executive director. Please see hohtribute.ca. Part of the program will involve a website to upload all tree locations and information. The goal is to plant 117,000 trees for every soldier who sacrificed his or her life for their country. The launch was very successful. Trees were planted at both ends of the Highway of Heroes.

Vimy Ridge Oaks

Ottawa Canadian horticultural event

Investigate Compulsory Trade

New event – Thrive 2015

On-the-Job Training Program

Case Vanderkruk, vice-president of Connon Nurseries NVK, and propagator at Connon, Andrew Barbour, began work to produce enough oak trees to return to Vimy Ridge for the battle’s centennial in 2017.

This is still a long-term investigation. However, professional assistance is required.

Improve image of horticulture in high schools

This activity is part of the CNLA Human Resource Committee. It is a huge multi-dimensional issue. Please see Come Alive Outside Design Challenge Project below. We are also involved in Skills Canada competition, as well as Specialist High School Major program.

Next steps for Green for Life branding

The Green for Life branding has been very successful. We are currently planning a review of the past five years of branding activity in order to determine next steps for the future.

18 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

The Ottawa Steering Committee spent a great deal of time trying to develop an international garden event in Ottawa. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to stage the event in 2017. The committee is looking at other strategies.

We created a new event called Thrive 2015. It was a combination of Garden Expo, Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast, Snowposium and Industry Auction. It was held at the Ancaster Fairgrounds on Sept.16 and 17.

Lawn Care Strategic Plan

We are continuing our efforts to promote the acceptance of low risk plant-protection products. Since the pesticide ban, the lawn care and grounds sectors are facing huge challenges to control pests, diseases and weeds. At a recent meeting, it was decided to focus on raising awareness for the life benefits of turf as a foundation for all our public, trade and government communications.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Ottawa Chapter held the inaugural Home Show, much like Canada Blooms.

Property Managers Promotion, re Maintenance Guidelines

The Grounds Management Sector Group developed a brochure Landscape Maintenance Guidelines for Property Managers. The guidelines encourage property managers to write guidelines based on their specific requirements and budgets. A copy of the brochure may be found at gfl.me/h2IJ.

Canada Blooms

Canada Blooms was very successful this year. New GM Terry Caddo has done a great job working with our new partner BILD.

Scholarship Challenge

In response to Mark Cullenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scholarship Challenge, we distributed almost $80,000 in scholarships and bursaries.

Legal Telephone Line and Legal Insurance (Group Bid Protect)

In conjunction with CNLA, we implemented a legal insurance program. The program consists of two options: 1. Telephone Legal Advice and 2. Legal Insurance. The Telephone Legal Advice program has been very well received. The program launched in 2015.

HR Toolkit

The HR Toolkit is an excellent resource available to all members at horttrades.com/HRToolkit. We are currently updating the kit and developing face-to-face seminars based on the information.

Dry Stone Walling Institute

We are partnering with the British Dry Stone Walling Association to deliver an education, training and certification program.

Come Alive Outside Design Challenge

Challenge is to submit a grant proposal to the Trillium Foundation. We are hoping that the proposal will be successful. It will involve hosting the challenge in every Chapter and culminate greening one schoolyard in every Chapter.

Veterans Memorial Parkway

LO is the agent for this very ambitious project in London. Please see treesfortheparkway.ca.

Never Forgotten National Memorial

We continue our involvement in this project proposed on the Cabot Trail. The link is nfnm.ca/#slide1.

Salt research study

We are sponsoring the next phase of this project. The aim is to determine the optimum amount of salt to apply based on variable snow events.

Maple Leaves Forever

The goal of this Foundation is to promote the planting of native maples across Canada. We were successful in convincing the National Capital Commission to plant native maples whenever a maple is called for on federal property. A commemorative planting was organized in June.

Ottawa Home Show partnership

Landscape Ontario Ottawa Chapter is partnering with the Ottawa Home Show to create a garden event much like Canada Blooms.

Hamilton Victory Garden

Landscape Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter handed Hamilton Victory Gardens a $3,000 donation to carry on its work.

The next step to our involvement in the Come Alive Outside Design 2015 ANNUAL REPORTâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 19

Membership and Public Relations Report

Year sees record number of new membership applications The Public Relations season was launched at a record breaking Canada Blooms and continued to be another outstanding year at the Chapter level. We connected with the public through various activities and events such as home shows, school greening projects, community events, charitable causes, etc. Many of these are described in more detail in the individual Chapter reports.

The value of media impressions we receive from Canada Blooms alone is worth over two million dollars. The efforts by Chapters and individual members show a positive increase in hits on our consumer website as a strong showing when tracked through Google analytics.

Our popular magazine Garden Inspiration was again well received by the public. It was distributed at many events throughout the province by our own membership and through our connections with horticultural societies and master gardener organizations.

We experimented with two new ideas this year. First was to utilize the services of a worldwide press release company known as Meltwater, and second was the launch a radio campaign in our Upper Canada Chapter, which promoted the reasons why the public should hire professional members of Landscape Ontario. Both ventures were met with mixed results and feedback. We are presently in the process of reviewing these programs.

The impact of public awareness of Landscape Ontario not only validates the reasons to hire professional landscape companies, but also creates a positive message which encourages non-members to join the association. This could be one of the reasons we have seen an increase in membership numbers this year.

We had a record number of new membership applications during the year, which we have attributed to several factors: • As mentioned, a positive general vibe about the industry • Great work at the Chapter level in organizing vibrant meetings and events • Positive messaging by our trade show department to Associate members regarding benefits of membership • Attractive financial incentives from endorsed suppliers, particularly on truck discounts • A campaign by your membership staff to organize membership appreciation days, held at Associate member places of business throughout the province. These provide great opportunities to meet members and non-members face to face Improving member retention has also been one of our goals this past year. We have concentrated on contacting new members to ask how we can help their business and explain all the benefits of membership. In revamping the package that is mailed out to members, we recognize long-standing members with five, ten and 20 year certificates.

The overall positive direction of membership in Landscape Ontario is reflected in several reports in this publication; it truly is a combined effort by many hard working volunteers throughout the province, the organizational skills of our individual Chapter coordinators and the combined talents of your Milton staff, with invaluable insight and direction from the provincial board and the membership committee.

Respectfully submitted, Denis Flanagan CLD Director of Public Relations and Membership Services 2014 - 2015

A campaign by the LO Membership Department visited member companies for Appreciation Days. This day was at Grand River Brick and Stone in London.

20 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 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: Greg Scarlett CLT Past president: Brian Marsh Provincial board representative: Brian Baun Vice president: Norm Mills Secretary/treasurer: Carol Fulford Directors: Ed Hewis, Brian Marsh, April Scarlett, Mark Humphries, Brian Shelfoon, Steve Wall, Janice Shingler Durham Chapter held meetings on the first Tuesday night of each month, typically at the Quality Suites in Oshawa.

August 2014: Durham Chapter’s Annual Barbecue is held at different supplier locations each year. This year it was hosted by Armtec/ Brooklin Concrete. There was great support from our suppliers. This year it was decided as a group to create a purpose and change the event from a contractor opportunity to a mix and mingle with the general public and suppliers.

The event also supports more long-term community involvement.

The Chapter decided that this year’s barbecue would raise funds to assist in the New Life Centre at Port Perry Hospital. This valued and necessary community service provides great care for new births and prevents local residents being forced to travel great distances, especially during the winter season to receive prenatal care.

We are happy to say that the barbecue was a great afternoon, once the heavy rains and clouds parted and the sun came out. That brought in many familiar and new faces. It also yielded a donation of $1,000 to Lakeridge New Life Centre. We hope to continue with a supportive presence in the community, where as a Chapter, we can make a difference. We welcome suggestions from our Chapter members for future ideas to become involved.

October 2014: A special presentation by Denis Flanagan recognized Acorn Landscaping for 25 years in business. Mike Forbes became a member because LO is such a great organization. He enjoys the networking, and wants to support the industry. He attributes a successful business to listening to his customers. Unilock’s Derek DeCooman, Peter Melo from All Stone Quarry, and Shawn from Arnts Topsoil held an informative panel discussion about natural stone and its uses in the industry. Sally Hillis of Durham College accepted a donation from Landscape Ontario and Durham Chapter for $4,500.

November 2014: Denis Flanagan educated our group on Landscape Ontario and all of the member benefits. Fred Young of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services brought all companies in attendance up to speed on WSIB and Health and Safety concerns and initiatives.

February 2015: Technology remained the theme for our February

meeting. Computer generated design was the topic; Google Sketchup and Dynascape were discussed in detail. Members received information on how the product can be a useful sales and marketing tool.

March 2015: To prepare for the coming season, two MTO officers attended the March Chapter meeting to discuss new regulations. This was a great opportunity for attendees to get the latest updates and to ensure that their vehicles are in compliance with all regulations, before hitting the road for the new season. Elections were held for the Chapter’s executive board and members were excited to welcome some new faces to the 2015 board of directors.

It has been another successful year, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the board members for their continuous support. I would also like to thank all the companies that donated items towards door prizes at our meetings. A big thank you goes to Carol Fulford, who always goes beyond the call of duty as treasurer. She keeps all our meetings running smoothly and spends additional time organizing events for the Chapter. As President of the Durham Chapter, I have enjoyed another year of being a part of our board.

Respectfully submitted, Greg Scarlett CLT President, 2014-2015

Georgian Lakelands

President: Lexi Dearborn CLD Past President: Jeff Lee Treasurer: Andrew Beattie CIT Provincial board representative: Margot Byers Secretary: Lynne Barnes Directors: Laurie-Ann Stuart, Michael LaPorte CLT, Teresa Matamoros, Georgie Hamilton, Brenda Maitland To meet members where they live, meetings were held in three regions of our Chapter this year: Huntsville, Barrie and Clarksburg, with Sector Coffee Mornings held in Wasaga Beach.

Our Chapter meeting format changed from afternoon meetings to a full-day meeting with morning speaker, lunch, followed by an afternoon speaker or leadership activity.

All meetings are free to LO members and their staff. Members could attend all or any part of the day — they could select the sessions that would be relevant and of benefit to their businesses. This new meeting format has been very successful with an increase this past year in the number of people attending meetings. There’s something for everyone.

Meetings and socials were promoted using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as a weekly eblast. We’re getting a good response from social media, because members are forwarding messages to their contacts.

The Georgian Lakelands Board worked hard this year to increase membership awareness and sponsorship opportunities for meetings and socials. Working with staff, we created two new documents: Sponsorship Letter of Acknowledgement and Community Project Applica2015 ANNUAL REPORT 21

learn about your landscape business last year?

Are you growing, shrinking or status quo? What’s trending in 2014 and for 2015? Other topics included design and products and stone, stone everywhere...man-made vs. natural stone. What are you using? The Chapter provided lunch, offered time for people to mingle and talk. The afternoon session was the MTO Annual Spring Tune-Up. This is always a great success, and essential for members before the start of the season. With close to 100 members and staff attending, Officer Hank Dubee is always entertaining and educational. Designed to help members and their staff take a proactive approach to compliance, this meeting helps everyone get ready for the roads.

The Designers Sector Group held a New Product Showcase in early March with TechoBloc, Stobag, and Lechuza Planters and Bosman Home Front presenting to the group. This was an opportunity to learn about new products The Chapter’s Putting Challenge proved a great way for members to socialize and raise money for community projects. and how to sell to prospective clients.

Every year, on the Saturday of the Easter tion and Cover Letter. weekend, Georgian Lakelands Chapter members set up at the Beaver On Sept. 11, Georgian Lakelands Inaugural Cascades Putting Valley Arena in Thornbury for the Beaver Valley Outreach’s EggstravaChallenge was held at Blue Mountain Village in Collingwood, with over ganza. Last year, our Fill the Landscape Trailer Food Drive collected 65 golfers taking to the course. Even though it was a chilly day, putters food and gave out Garden Inspiration magazines to visitors. The Eashad a great time on the course and the event raised over $1,700 to go ter Food Drive has become traditional part of the Eggstravaganza and towards green community projects. within the Chapter.

Held in Huntsville at the Active Living Centre in October 2014, Our final Chapter meeting, before the start of the season, was members met for a presentation from Frank Zaunscherb and Laurie held in Clarksburg in early April. It featured a morning session with Scullin. They spoke about Social Media in the Horticultural IndusNathan Helder, of Gelderman Landscape Services. His topic was A try and the Green for Life marketing campaign. Denis Flanagan Culture of Leadership = Profit. The afternoon session featured Cathprovided a Landscape Ontario membership update. After lunch, erine Smart of Smart Moves, who spoke on Building for Accessibility members broke into smaller groups to discuss a variety of business– Universal Design. related topics.

Thank you to Ego’s Nurseries in Coldwater for hosting our August In late November, the Chapter met in Collingwood for the annual Sector Group update meeting and pig roast. Educational and fun, ‘Whine and Cheese’ event. It was a great way to end the season.

Ego’s offered farm and nursery tours to start the meeting with dinner Catherine Smart provided great leadership activities with members served afterwards. Sector groups represented were Irrigation, Lightbeing linked together, making it a fun event for the over 30 members ing, Grounds Management and Lawn Care. This was a great event, who attended. loads of fun with wonderful hosts in an amazing setting.

December 10 was an opportunity in Georgian Lakelands for the Designers Sector Group to meet, receive updates on Certification, disRespectfully submitted, cuss new computer techniques and drawing programs, and talk about Lexi Dearborn the 2014 drawing season.

President, 2014 - 2015 We were Busting at the Seams in February 2015, with over 50 members at the Best Western in Huntsville. The morning session was entitled, Septic and Water Systems — The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! This was followed by a great lunch and time to chat. In the afterPresident: Jeff Smith noon, round-table talks concluded the meeting. It was a great day.

Vice president: Fran MacKenzie Our annual I Survived Ski and Spa Day was attended by over 60 Second vice president: Andrew Barz members, staff and family, who took to the hills and the water. It was Provincial board representative: Tim Cruickshanks tons of fun for skiers. The Poker Run had participants collecting clues Past president: Fiore Zenone from around the resort to make a poker hand. The Annual Race Down Treasurer/secretary: Dan Grieve the Hill had prizes for the fastest and most cautious skier. Skiers and Directors: John Bos CLT, Allard DeVries, Scott Duff, Dan MacLean, spa-goers enjoyed breakfast at Craigleith Ski Club. Spa-goers were Rob Mendonca, David Pierce, Tim Rivard CLT, Christopher Utter, transported to Scandinave Spa for an amazing, relaxing day. We all Bruce Wilson, met back at the Ski Hill for après ski and awards ceremony. It was a great event.

The year started with a grand formal style Chicken Roast in SeptemHeld in March 2015, the morning session of Best Practices and ber 2014 hosted by Landscape Ontario President, Dave Braun, at Lessons Learned Round-Table covered topics relevant to the 40 busiBraun Nursery. There were over 250 people in attendance with lots of ness owners and staff in attendance. Topics included: What did you activities for adults and children. Guests were treated to wagon rides

Golden Horseshoe

22 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 ANNUAL REPORT with a tree identification activity. Succulent wreath making was a huge hit with children and adults, along with face painting, lasso games, bouncy castles and more. Once again the Golden Horseshoe Chapter board members and volunteers did an outstanding job of cooking for a small army. An extra special thank you goes out to Dave and his fabulous team for hosting, decorating and providing fun activities for everyone.

The October 2014 Chapter meeting hosted guest speaker Sandra de LeeuwDavis, a certified Internet marketing consultant from WSI at the Halton Industry Education Council. This meeting focused on using social media and other Internet search engines to generate the best results for your company. Sandra covered four key areas, Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s Gear Up for Spring event at the Ancaster Fairgrounds has become one of including how to make sure your company’s the Association’s most successful events. Here MTO talks to members about information and updates website is mobile friendly. She also talked on regulations. about how Google works and how to maximize your company’s presence in Google Ministry of Transportation with the latest information and updates, searches. She concluded her talk outlining how to utilize social media and WHMIS training with the necessary quiz. Many thanks to our and various strategies to ensure websites are converting visitors into main event sponsor Windmill Power Equipment; our lunch sponsors, tangible leads.

B.R. Dickson Equipment, Eloquip and Nisco National Leasing; and The Chapter took these messages to heart, and in an effort to gain our refreshment sponsors, South Oakville Dodge and Martek Supmore web-based presence, created a new Facebook page. Many of ply. We also would like to thank all of the vendors and exhibitors, prize our members do outstanding work every day, either for residents, pubdonors and volunteers who made this show happen. Plans are already lic properties and businesses. By using Facebook, it is a great way to underway for the 2016 show. We are looking forward to continuing our showcase them. The new Facebook page is a great tool for promotgrowth and success. ing all the great projects members are involved in, along with keeping The Chapter’s annual golf tournament was hosted in August at current with Chapter events. The Chapter also created a new webthe Willow Valley Golf Course. It was a full house with a record numsite to share information about upcoming chapter meetings and social ber of golfers, sponsors and volunteers. Despite a slight rain delay events, as well as to link visitors back to the Horttrades website. You from Mother Nature, the sun came out for a fantastic day of golf can visit the new Chapter website at landscapeontario.wix.com/ and an added perk of getting to watch an impromptu airshow feagoldenhorseshoe. turing vintage aircrafts. A total of $580 was donated to support the In November 2014, the Chapter partnered with the Hamilton MS Society of Hamilton. Many thanks to Steve Schiedel, the staff Police Services at the Crime Prevention Centre to take an in-depth at Willow Valley Golf Course and the volunteers who ensured the look at the role that landscape design, lighting and construction play day went off without a hitch. We had fantastic prizes donated by our in home security and safety. Discussion included use of lighting generous sponsors and a great day of networking where business and ‘hostile vegetation’ (thorny and other prickly plant materials), as and pleasure come together. We look forward to seeing everyone at well as various ways of increasing privacy, and graffiti prevention to next year’s tournament. increase both residential and commercial security. Members gained This summer the Chapter was actively involved in the Hamilton a new appreciation of their work, as well as seeing a potential selling Victory Gardens project. The Chapter presented a donation of $3,000 feature to clients. on behalf of the Chapter and from LO home office on Sept. 1. HamilAfter a break from Chapter meetings to celebrate the holiday seaton Victory Gardens is a volunteer-based organization established in son and kick off the new year with Congress in January, Chapter 2011. Volunteers plant, maintain and harvest produce, which is then events returned in February with the annual Family Skate Day. Over donated to local food banks in the Hamilton area. At the time of the 90 Landscape Ontario members and their families were treated to a donation, it was estimated that over 10,020 kilograms of produce had fun Family Skate Day on Feb. 16, at the Gateway Ice Centre in Stoney been harvested from the gardens. The donation will assist in purchasCreek. Employers, employees along with their families, had the opporing a variety of tools and equipment for the gardens sites throughout tunity to take a break from work to enjoy a free family skate, followed Hamilton. This project was a fantastic way for the Chapter to give by a hot lunch at Don Cherry’s. It was all courtesy of Danny Trombetta back to the community and fully reflect Landscape Ontario’s mission. of Grand River Natural Stone. It was a great day for members to netThank you to all Chapter members, the Chapter Board, and all work with their family and friends. those who have attended events and supported the Golden HorseAfter months of preparation and countless hours of volunteer work shoe Chapter this year. We look forward to continuing to grow with from the Golden Horseshoe Chapter executive board, the Gear Up for you.

Spring Trade Show was hosted at the Ancaster Fairgrounds on Mar. 31. We had a record number of attendees. Over 350 people pre-regRespectfully submitted, istered for the show. Exhibitor space was sold out weeks in advance Jeff Smith of the show. In addition to a trade show with over 70 exhibitors, there President 2014 -2015 was a plethora of prizes to be won, as well as presentations from the 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 23

London

President: Peter Vanderley CLM Past president: Jarrett Woodard Provincial board representative: Michael Pascoe CLT Treasurer: Bill Beamish Secretary: Matt Hart Directors: Cindy Buelow, Derek Geddes, Nicola Kamp, Kevin Marshall CLT, Michael Martins, Tyler Rancourt, Paul Snyders The annual golf tournament was held Sept. 5 at our new location of Echo Valley. Attendance increased by 40 people from the previous year’s event. As usual, all those taking part thoroughly enjoyed the day, which ended with a large thunderstorm as everyone was departing for home.

Our Chapter meetings began in October with a panel discussion on sharing lessons learned from the winter to 2013/14. Panelists featured our very own Chapter members, Bill Beamish of Beamish Landscaping, Jay Murray of TLC Landscaping, and Mike Wardell of Rural Roots Landscaping. Their best advice was to apply for a winter job at Starbucks.

In November, Vicky Smith, a well-known HR speaker with LO, addressed the topic of employee retention. Vicky shared her research on why employees leave or stay with a company. She provided some very practical insight.

Our sponsored luncheon winter meetings tend to be the best attended. In February, we held our annual MTO and WSPS meeting with lunch generously provided by Unilock. In March, members jointly held the Chapter meeting with LS Training, featuring Jim Paluch, who addressed the question, “What do you do anyway?” Permacon and the LS Training group were lunch sponsors.

Respectfully submitted, Pete Vanderley CLM President, 2015-2015

Ottawa

President: Sundaura Alford Purvis CLD Vice president: Chris Urquhart CLM Past president and provincial board representative: Ed Hansen Treasurer: Steve Neumann Chair of GreenTrade Expo: Bruce Morton CLM, CIT Chapter coordinator: Martha Walsh Directors: Chris Burns CLT, Sarah Johnston, Jim Curran, Mike Fulcher, Ashley Cochrane, Andrew Burgess Each year, Ottawa Chapter meetings run from October until January.

This past session saw the fall and winter meeting schedule offer four topics: the snow industry and legal issues, the ever-growing problem of theft in our industry, creating a successful roadmap for business transition, and the Ottawa Chapter AGM. January 2015 was the Ottawa Chapter’s AGM, attended by 65 members. The program, Have Your Say in Your Chapter’s Future, was presented by Executive Director Tony DiGiovanni and Jacki Hart, manager of Prosperity Partners.

In February, the 22nd edition of GreenTrade Expo celebrated the 70th anniversary of the gift of tulips to Canada from the Dutch government. This year included a new celebration, Ottawa Chapter Awards of Distinction. Suppliers were recognized in six categories at a sold out gala the night before the show. The MTO contractors’ breakfast was presented once again, along with free business education semi-

24 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

nars. Ottawa landscape designers, once again in a collaborative effort, created beautiful and imaginative displays in the coffee bar, the front lobby and the seminar rooms. Supporting the registration desk were students from the Horticultural Industries programs at Kemptville and Algonquin College. The Landscape Designers Sector Group presentation, along with a governance program, rounded out a very busy and successful day.

In March, members of the Ottawa Chapter designed, built and created the Canadian Dream Garden at the Ottawa Home and Garden Show. The 2,800 sq. ft. design featured four distinct Canadian landscapes by Ottawa area designers. The project included a four-day install by a long list of Ottawa Chapter member companies and industry suppliers, as well as Horticultural Program students from Algonquin College. There was extensive local media coverage of the garden, which included information about Landscape Ontario and its member companies and individuals who made the build possible.

April to October 2015 included weekly maintenance at the Ottawa Cancer Survivors’ Park. This year, students from Algonquin College Horticultural Industries were included in the program of maintenance, as part of the college’s job experience program. They were mentored by Clintar Landscape Management - Ottawa and Hansen Lawn and Gardens. Members who maintained the Ottawa Cancer Survivors’ Park include, Hansen Lawn and Garden, Cityscape, Greenscape Watering Systems - Ottawa, Clintar Landscape Management - Ottawa, Algonquin College Horticultural Industries Program, Natural Impressions Landscaping, Lafleur De La Capitale, Lindsay Landscapes, Jerome Landscaping, Horticare Landscaping, The Professional Gardener, GreenLife Landscaping, Zone 5 Landscape and Property Maintenance.

June 20 and 21, Landscape Ontario and the Ottawa Garden Council launched the Ottawa Garden Map (gardendays.ca) to mark the start of Garden Days. The event celebrates the garden experience and the importance of green spaces in communities across Canada.

The Annual Ottawa Chapter Golf Tournament for Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) was held on Aug. 27. The new location of the golf tournament this year was the Falcon Ridge Golf Club.

There were 80 golfers and volunteers who enjoyed a day of networking and golf to raise money for the local Children’s Hospital Foundation. Golf committee members, Chris Burns, Chris Urquhart and Stacy Elliott, were very pleased that this year the tournament raised over $4,000 for CHEO. Chapter meetings resumed in October with a timely topic, The Changing Urban Treescape. Included was a presentation on the changing integration of landscaping with city infrastructure and technical information on how trees can help with stormwater management, as well as an update from the City of Ottawa Forestry Department and the emerald ash borer and its devastation of Ottawa trees.

The Ottawa Day of Tribute to the Canadian military and their families took place on Oct. 30, at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood. Greetings and thanks opened the day from Roger Boldt, Chief Operating Officer of Beechwood Cemetery; Dominique Boulais, Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Chief Warrant Officer David Snyder, DND; Warrant Officer Clayton Neville and Ottawa Chapter President Sundaura Alford. There was great member participation, led by chair Pete Campbell from Geosynthetic Systems. Also taking part were Green Unlimited, Lafleur De La Capitale, Weed Man Ottawa, Natural Impressions Landscaping, Jerome Landscaping, Peter Smit and Sons. The project received great sponsorship from Bradley’s Commercial Insurance, Geosynthetic Systems, Plantproducts, Manderley Turf Products and Sipan Tires.

The past year saw the adoption of a pilot program for an Eastern Ontario Regional Manager for Ottawa and Upper Canada Chapters.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT This position, responsible to both Milton home office, with input from the Ottawa and Upper Canada Chapters, is expected to be filled in Fall 2015 under the direction of a hiring committee: Ed Hansen, Bruce Morton, Richard Rogers and LO Executive Director Tony DiGiovanni.

October 2015 saw planning underway for the spring 2016 Home and Garden show, Mar. 26-28 at the EY Centre in Ottawa. An agreement has been made between Marketplace Events and the Ottawa Chapter to create garden builds in a 30,000 sq. ft. hall. Gardens will be constructed by a variety of Landscape Ontario member companies and the event will be under the Landscape Ontario banner.

The 2015 year for the Ottawa Chapter saw new programs, practices and continuing support for existing events.

Respectfully submitted, Sundaura Alford Purvis President 2015

The annual Toronto Chapter Golf Tournament was a great time for fun, sport, networking and raising funds for charity.

Toronto

President: Ryan Heath CLM, CLT Past president, provincial board representative: Lindsay Drake Nightingale Vice president: Jonas Spring Treasurer: Sabrina Goettler CLM Secretary: Janet Mott CLM Directors: Gus Amro, John Bouwmeister, Chris Clayton, Paulo Domingues CIT, Jon Durzi, Janet Ennamorato, Shawn Foley CIT, Steve Hary, Tinka Magocsi, Craig Mathews, Mike Watson Wasn’t the season of 2014 to 2015 a whirlwind for Toronto Chapter?

We again started our meeting schedule by hosting one in the first week of Oct. We covered the topic all things Fall and closing down your gardens for the season. It is a topic that most surely will be redone in the coming years.

In November, we decided to host our What’s Up With That series.

This time we focused on cedars — imported or Ontario-grown. Thanks to our growers (N.V.K., Stam Nurseries and BTN), which grow trees here and bring them in from other provinces/countries. This was a very educational event.

The holiday social event of the year was held in January. It included families from all around the Chapter. We skated and dined together, resulting in a great time. It was truly a fun way to ring in the New Year.

Our ever-popular February event, held each year at Sheridan Nurseries in Unionville, was again sold out. We will certainly miss the location for the 2017 season, as this coming year will be our last event here. But with a move, comes more opportunities…Right?

The What’s Up With That series concluded our Chapter’s season of education events. This time we discussed one of the biggest problems to hit the Toronto Chapter, dumping and disposal. I don’t believe the other eight chapters of Landscape Ontario could fathom the problems we covered and uncovered during this insightful panel discussion.

As the busy summer season came on, so did our Chapter’s season of golf and baseball. The golf tournament was again held at Nobleton Lakes, where the Chapter raised a decent amount of money to

give back to our community. Gloom and doom was the feeling among many when the baseball tournament began in stormy weather, but in the end, money was raised and good times were had by all.

A great project concludes a glowing report for Toronto Chapter this year. Our Chapter was fortunate enough to be a part a community project which affects the lives of many children. James Robinson Public School is the proud new home of a large universally accessible schoolyard. Great detail went into creating a space where children with needs can play and explore both safely and with ease. The facility was something not too many of us realized was necessary, nor needed.

We all know differently now. Thank you to the many members of the Toronto area who helped make this project a success.

Respectfully submitted, Ryan Heath President 2015

Upper Canada

President: Sian Pritchard Past president /provincial board representative: Terry Childs Vice president: Andre Ypma Treasurer: Judy deBoer-Bell Secretary: Paul Doornbos CLT, CLM Directors: Neil Bouma, Diana Cassidy-Bush CLM, CLT; David Gunn; Pamela McCormick CLM; Jesse Perrin CLT The season 2014-15 saw a continuation of the Chapter’s use of Facebook as a significant means to connect with the membership. We are slowly growing the members who “like” the page.

The 2015 golf tournament was a success with the golfers, but was short on money for the hole sponsorship. The committee will start a little earlier for the 2016 sponsorship of holes.

The Upper Canada Chapter Annual Squash Tournament “I Was There IV” was in February, at Boyd’s Gym in Trenton. Again, this event was well attended.

Chapter meetings provided some very good round-table discussions, with lots of input from all in attendance.

For training in 2014-15, we provided an Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) paver course in Brockville, using our own 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 25

certified ICPI instructors. The course was at capacity, with several people on the waiting list. Jeff McMann provided two days of maintenance training in April. We are looking to build on these for 2015-16.

Our community project for 2014-15 was at the Northumberland Hills Hospital in Coburg. The work was centered on the Island Entry Garden, plantings and a spectacular dry stone wall by Dean McLellan Stonework. We watched in amazement as Dean and the men completed their task.

We tried a series of local radio advertisements in the spring of 2015 to see how effective this form of advertising was for our members. The results were to be tabulated by November 2015.

Some of our members assisted the Ottawa Chapter in constructing the first Landscape Ontario garden at The Ottawa Home and Garden Show. We are hoping to continue this involvement as the show grows.

We are very proud to announce that starting in the next Chapter year, Upper Canada Chapter will be offering three scholarships, The Dan Clost Scholarship, Lisa Purves-Smith Scholarship and Esmonde-White Scholarship. These three scholarships are valued at $500 each.

We hope it will help us in the local development of staff.

The 1st annual Waterloo Chapter Family Day was a huge success. Over 100 members, families and staff enjoyed the facilities of Bingeman Park in Waterloo, especially those having their face painted.

Respectfully submitted, Terry Childs Provincial Board Representative 2014-2015

Waterloo

President: Jeff Thompson Past president: Randy Adams Vice president: Richard Burch, CIT, CLM, CLT Provincial board representative: Thomas Blatter CLM Treasurer: Scott Durst Secretary: Blake Sicard Directors: Jason Dietrich, Robert Tester, Al Murray, Mike Silva, Eric Horst, Trevor Garner, Sean Jordan Waterloo Chapter had an exciting and eventful year with seven meetings, each averaging 50-plus members. Each year we sponsor the Kitchener-Waterloo Home and Garden Show. This year, our booth saw over 2,500 attendees, each taking home a pine or spruce seedling for their yard.

The Fall Freeze-up Dinner and Dance in November was enjoyed by over 180 members and guests. The July golf tournament at the Rebel Creek Golf Club raised funds that are distributed between a local children’s charity, school greening project and the scholarship foundation.

The annual School Yard Greening Project was at Sir Isaac Brock School in Guelph, which celebrated its new outdoor classroom and trees. This event was attended by local politicians and senior school board staff. Our members donated their time, equipment and materials to enrich the school yard for years to come.

Sadly our Chapter had to say goodbye to both Peter Olsen and John Wright. Both were industry pioneers providing their expertise, enthusiasm and hard work to develop our industry into what we enjoy today. Throughout their careers and beyond, they both supported and dedicated many hours to Landscape Ontario.

We are looking forward to another eventful season of strengthening the Landscape Ontario brand, while supporting each of our members

26 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

in developing their businesses. Thanks to our wonderful members who plan and participate each of these events and our numerous social activities. It is great to be a member of the Waterloo Chapter.

Respectfully submitted, Jeff Thompson President, 2015

Windsor

President/Treasurer/provincial board representative: Donald Tellier CLT Vice president: Jay Terryberry Secretary and chapter assistant: Jay Rivait Directors: Jessica Aytoun, Sal Costante, Dan Garlatti, Joe Santarosa, Jr. The 2014/2015 fiscal year started off with a bang, after the announcement that our Chapter won the President’s Membership Challenge. We are grateful for the efforts of Dan Garlatti and Sal Costante from the membership services committee for going the extra mile. Great job.

We were able to successfully maintain a number of community events along with our annual social and recognition events this past year. We were generally pleased with the attendance at our general meetings and very pleased with the volunteers for both the community and social activities.

The annual Awards of Distinction program for 2014 was a successful event once again with several companies receiving recognition for landscape maintenance and construction entries. Walkerville Brewery once again hosted the event with the faculty of St. Clair College Horticulture Department offering their services as judges. The final numbers for attendance were approximately 50 individuals with a slight reduction in entries from our previous fiscal year.

The November, January and February general meetings brought out above average crowds of both Landscape Ontario members, as well as students enrolled in the horticulture program at St. Clair College. The lineup of sessions included Night Lighting with Scott Sim, A Round-Table Discussion about Business and A look at European

2015 ANNUAL REPORT Trends and Techniques from the Floriade Exhibit with Sandy MacDonald. All sessions were informative and well received by the general membership.

The March meeting allowed members to learn the lessons of the road from two Ministry of Transportation officers. They provided an audio visual presentation relating to vehicle safety, load restrictions and load security. Once again, this proved a popular event with over 50 members and potential members attending the informative session.

Windsor Chapter was well represented at the March 2015 Windsor Home and Leisure Show. A new modular booth, which was purchased with proceeds from the President’s Membership Challenge, along with some golf tournament proceeds, aided in the setup and dismantling for our members. The colourful panels were effective in aiding us to spread the word about our local membership, as well as promote the branding of Green for Life. The board was pleased with the participation level, as well as attendance at the show. The Chapter is scheduled to participate in the March 2016 show.

With the assistance of our member companies and some special promotions funding, a second phase of the Safety Village of Windsor project was completed. This site received a major facelift around the miniature village to the rear of the property. The site was in need of some tender loving care, which it received from Windsor Chapter members, who blitzed the site. Several member companies provided volunteer help, equipment, materials and know-how. When

the dust cleared, a new garden with patio surface was installed, along with new community vegetable garden. A water feature in need of repair was refreshed and once again operating properly thanks to the volunteers. Lastly, the weed-infested beds and tree wells were cleaned, pruned and mulched, leaving the site in a professional state.

A fall cleanup at Hospice of Windsor Essex was once again carried out by volunteer members and students and staff from the horticulture program of St. Clair College. This annual event keeps the Solidarity gardens and surrounding areas in a respectable and manageable level for the volunteer staff to maintain throughout the year.

Sutton Creek Golf Course hosted our annual Bob Girard Memorial Golf Tournament. This event is not only a great social event, but also allows us to raise additional monies for future projects.

A night of bowling at Tec Lanes was enjoyed by several member companies with some 10 pin action and door prizes for the lucky participants. A big thank you goes out to the social committee for organizing these well-attended events.

It has been a pleasure serving on the board and look forward to the many challenges and new activities for our growing Chapter in 2015/2016.

Respectfully submitted, Donald Tellier President 2014

2015 Sector 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 sector group structure. The objective of each sector group is to respond to current concerns resulting from marketplace pressures and government legislation.

Garden Centre

Chair/provincial board representative: Michael Van Dongen CHT Members: Perry Grobe, Diane Hutchinson, Kennedy Johnston CLT, Kristin Ego MacPail, Frans J.R. Peters, Art Vanden Enden CHT The period of time from 2014/2015 was one of progress and collaboration.

In October of 2014, Peter Cantley shared his years of merchandising experience in a presentation Driving Seasonal Sales: Winning Strategies for Garden and Floral Retailing at our annual lunch program at Expo. His account from over the past 30 years provided several insights on how our horticultural and floral industry has changed, and will continue to change, and the strategies retailers should use to remain competitive.

The Garden Centre Group remained committed to the programs that have been created for members, including the completion and implementation of the Product Knowledge videos in conjunction with the Landscape Safety Online Training System.

CNLA and Garden Centres Canada, under the continued leadership of chair Anthony O’Neill and with support from Landscape Ontario

and the Garden Centre Sector Group, have had a very successful year. The introduction of the Canadian Garden Centre Gift Card program and the Never Alone Rose project shows the continued commitment to new initiatives to promote independent garden centres. It has truly been remarkable.

Last year the International Garden Centre Association announced that the International Garden Centre Tour will be coming to the Ontario region in 2017. The Landscape Ontario Garden Centre Sector Group has been able to bring together many operators and owners of garden centres in the province to begin planning such a prestigious event. In the upcoming year, many exciting details will emerge, however, what is already very obvious is how cohesive and progressive the members of the Garden Centre Sector Group are when they collaborate.

Leading into the 2015/2016 year, the Garden Centre Sector Group looks forward to changes and progression. This year’s Expo, with the continued support of the Landscape Ontario staff, will merge in a collaborative manner as well. Thrive will host Expo, along with many other sector events to bring more members together at once, where we will once again be joined by Judy Sharpton.

As always, we welcome garden centre owners and operators to join our group. We now host many meetings online, making contributing to the sector easier than ever.

Respectfully submitted, Michael Van Dongen Chair 2014-2015

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 27

The Grounds Management Sector Group saw a spike in attendance at this year’s Trial Garden Open House.

Grounds Management

Chair: Brad Paton Provincial board representative: Brian Marsh Members: Kevin Almeida, Sarah Beckon, Jeff Fennema, Carmine Filice CLM, Anthony Kampen, Jeff Lowartz CLT, Brian Marsh, Jeff McMann CLT, Brad Paton, Kate Terpstra, Rodger Tschanz, Jay VanGelder We owe much thanks to John Hewson for his efforts and commitment as acting chair since May 2011. He will be missed from our group.

Being new to the grounds management group and now having been elected as chair, I have been enlightened to the importance of what we and the other sector groups of LO contribute.

A grounds management symposium has been a main focus for our group over the past year. It was decided to make this a joint effort with the successful contractor lecture series on Feb. 24, 2016. This event will certainly have interest for both landscape contractors and grounds maintenance companies.

The one thing I have noticed about the maintenance sector group, in the short time that I have been a part of this, is our diverse backgrounds and the vast experience brought to each meeting.

Rodger Tschanz had a successful season with his trial gardens at LO home office with attendance up, as awareness grows. I was quite interested in the different types of mulch available and the effectiveness in the garden. His tour of the arboretum at the University of Guelph and some of the projects they were working on was fascinating.

A grounds tracker software app that LO is introducing will automatically email clients when crews arrive on site, the type of work being

28 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

done and when they leave. We heard of an interesting proposal from an LO member who wants to bring Uber cab to the landscape industry. Finding someone to cut your lawn or clear your snow, even on a moment’s notice, could never be easier.

We finished off our last engagement in October at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery with a guided tour by Jeff McMann. A group of about 25 made their way through the cemetery learning about some of the rare and unusual trees that inhabit the grounds. Jeff and his support staff have documented some 16,000 trees on the property. He is responsible for every one of them. His knowledge and awareness of the trees on the acres of property is truly astonishing. If this opportunity presents itself again, I recommend you take it. If not, take a stroll through on your own, you won’t be disappointed.

Respectfully submitted, Brad Paton Chair 2015

Growers

Chair: Gerwin Bouman Treasurer: Bill Putzer CNLA representative: Mark Ostrowski Members: Jamie Aalbers, Rob Albrecht, Dave Braun, Harry de Vries, Jeff Gregg, Michael LaPorte CLT, Serge Leclair, Jennifer Llewellyn, Glen Lumis, John Mantel, Darby McGrath, John Moons, Rob Naraj, Jaana Pearson Paavola, Paul-Britman Rapai CHT, Joel Schraven, Fred Somerville, Melissa Spearing, Donna Speranzini, Christine Stein, Mark Verbinnen, Shane Way, Rita Weerdenburg, Jeanine West, Youbin Zheng

2015 ANNUAL REPORT The Nursery Growers Sector Group continues to work on its strategic priorities throughout the year.

There has been an increased focus on ways to market Ontariogrown nursery material to municipalities, garden centres and landscapers, while increasing profitability. To achieve these goals, we are endorsing programs such as Trees for Life, exploring a provincial or national brand for nursery products, while also seeking to involve arborists, municipalities and landscape architects in our discussions and meetings.

As well, the Growers research sub-committee continues to identify projects that align with our key research and development priorities.

We continue to support and direct researchers across the province in our quest to find answers to never-ceasing questions and problems.

The Growers Sector Group continues to receive regulatory, as well as informative updates, from CNLA, OMAFRA and the Plant Health Committee that pertain to the nursery industry in Ontario.

Aside from the usual business meetings, the Growers host several events throughout the year to further educate as well as provide networking opportunities for members.

The annual Fall Dinner meeting was again well attended with 70 growers in attendance. This year’s event was held at the Teatro Convention Centre in Milton. Guest speakers were John Chisholm and Greg Clarke from SB Partners. They spoke on Introduction to the Profitability Guide. Sarah Culp and Virginia Bust from Ontario Association of Landscape Architects spoke on Trends in the Industry – Plant Challenges and Plant Availability.

The Growers Short Course was held in Feb., returning to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton. Some of the comments from the attendees showed they were happy with the line-up of speakers, tons of information, very interesting topics and speakers were very knowledgeable about their topics. The next Short Course is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2016 at the RBG. Details will be available on the Horttrades website.

The annual Growers Auction was held in conjunction with Thrive ’15 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. Those attending enjoyed the day and raised $16,500 for scholarships and research.

I would again like to thank the directors, volunteers, staff and many sponsors who support this Nursery Growers Sector Group throughout the year.

Interior Plantscapes

Chair/provincial board representative: Stephen Schell CHTI Members: Hella Keppo CHTI, Fred Prescod CHTI, Phil Van Alstyne CHTI, Nanthankumar Paramanathan, Sue Blaney In October, 2014 at Expo, the sector group hosted a luncheon, Holidayscaping: The revenue stream you need to know about. Guest speakers were Yves Renaud, vice president of Planteera and Marc Prudhoome, Project Manager of Christmas décor and illumination at Planteera. There were 65 participants who learned about the services of thematic décor, interior plantscape, green walls and wholesale plants at Planteera. Participants also heard about how to keep existing clients by offering new products and services, how to grow sales, and how to keep your staff year-round.

During the year the group discussed the following: • P romotion of the Interior Plantscape sector to other industry sectors and consumers. The value of having plants in office space, malls, etc.

• W orking with education provider Green Plants for Green Buildings with its new Train the Trainer program.

• The Awards of Excellence required number of photographs is a

concern of the group.

• C oncern has also been raised on the lack of participation by those in the Interiorscape sector. How do we get them involved?

Respectfully submitted, Stephen Schell CHTI Chair 2014 -2015

Irrigation

Chair: Steve Macartney, CIC, CLIA, CIT Members: Paul Barker CIT, Cody Haubrich, Steve Hernandez, John Lamberink CIC, Chris LeConte CIC, CLIA, Steve Marysiuk CIT, Roy Neves CLIA, CID, CIC, Paul Proulx, Jamie Riddell, Natnael Taera Thank you to the members of the Irrigation Sector Group for their hard work and dedication.

This year we saw a slow start to the spring, but a fast start to the summer. May was hot and dry, which got the industry busy with startups and new installations. June provided us with lots of rain, which gave use some time to catch up with orders. The rest of the summer was fairly warm and dry, which kept demand moderate for the rest of the summer.

I find customers are becoming more aware of new technologies, so contractors need to keep astride to find the best solution for their customers, whether it’s water saving products or smart solutions for controllers. Water rates are also increasing, so irrigation users are looking at ways to reduce irrigation requirements and methods to apply water in a more economical manner.

Water Smart Professional Training (WSIP) moved forward in 2016 with a new group of candidates. This partnership with the Regions of Peel and York, benefits local businesses by providing the irrigation industry with enhanced training and knowledge, while supporting environmental protection and sustainable water use. Contractors benefit from the training by gaining the knowledge and tools to give clients qualified feedback about their systems and ways to reduce the use of water.

In January 2015, the annual Irrigation Conference was held at Congress. It was a half-day event and well received by industry members.

Guest speaker was Tim Malooly CID, CIC, CLIA, PLT, EPA. His talk was on the impact of water on the environment and how may affect the irrigation sector. Discussion was around the endless possibilities for growing our industry, business and how irrigation contractors can help with storm water. The Regions of Peel and York also made a presentation on the WSIP Program and its success for contractors.

The Irrigation Sector Group is working on numerous issues that affect the sector. These include the following: • C ontinued support for the WSIP Program • C ommunication with the Irrigation Association (IA), regarding certification and training for the industry • P romotion of Smart Irrigation Month • E mployment, recruitment, certification and training The future looks good for irrigation contractors who keep up with new technologies and training. The Irrigation Sector Group will continue to work with municipalities to be part of the solution.

Respectfully submitted, Steve Macartney Chair 2015 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 29

Landscape Contractors

Chair/Board representative: Peter Guinane Members: Ken Bekendam, Thomas Blatter CLM, Janet Ennamorato, Jason Gaw, Steve Hary, Ryan Heath CLM, CLT, Barry Hordyk, Arvils Lukss, Julien Marit, Brian Marsh, Joseph Morello, Arthur Skolnik, Mike Travis, David Turnbull CHT The Contractors Sector Group hosted the annual Lecture Series on Feb.18 at the Chateau le Jardin. The event was MC’d by Arthur Skolnik. Guest speakers were James Thompson OALA, of J. Garfield Thompson Landscape, and Paul Brydges OALA, of Brydges Landscape Architecture. They provided two perspectives on landscape design and landscape architecture. The event was sponsored by Beaver Valley Stone, Gro-Bark (Ontario), Pfaff Leasing, Sheridan Nurseries, Unilock and York Region Equipment.

The Sector Group decided that the 2016 Lecture Series will be held in conjunction with the Grounds Management Sector Group. Details will be available on the LO website by the new year.

The Landscape Contractors Group assists with the feature gardens at Canada Blooms, reviewing the entries to ensure they meet industry standards and quality. The 2015 Canada Blooms Flower and Garden Festival was a great success, and the group is continuing to assist with the feature gardens for 2016.

Items of interest • W e are continuing our work on a benchmarking study to assist contractors to understand industry averages. We believe by gathering productivity statistics, LO members will identify their strengths and weaknesses more effectively. We hope a large group of LO members will continue to contribute to the data base for more accurate results.

• Assisting CNLA/ICPI reviewing hardscape specifications • d eveloped a wage survey wagesurvey.ca/ • r eviewed the new Eden concept for residential services (snow removal, maintenance) There is always room on our committee for new members to join.

We meet at Landscape Ontario in Milton about five times per year and encourage new ideas and productive discussions affecting our industry.

Respectfully submitted, Peter Guinane Chair 2014 - 2015

Landscape Designers

Chair/provincial board representative: Chris Mace Vice chair: Paul Brydges Treasurer: Beth Edney CLD Members: Don Chase CLD; Chris Clayton OALA; Jen Cuddie; Brandon Gelderman; Sabrina Goettler CLD; Ron Koudys OALA, CLD; Mark Kimmerly; Kelly Keates; Ryan Heath CLT, CLP; Fran Moore; Fred Post CLD; Carolyne Planck; Tony Lombardi CLD; Haigh Seferian OALA, CLD; Ron Swentiski CLD I would like to thank all the members of the committee for all their hard work, commitment and dedication that they contribute to the Landscape Designers Sector Group. They really are an inspiring group of people with which to work.

The group hosted the annual Landscape Design Conference at

30 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Congress on Jan. 5. The full-day event featured guest speakers Alexander Reford, Jennifer Gannon, Ajon Moriyama, Andrew Wall and keynote speaker Julie Moir Messervy. Haig Seferian was the recipient of the annual Outstanding Service Award presented at the conference.

We would like to thank our sponsors for the continued support.

Without them, the event would not be possible. Platinum Sponsor: Unilock, Gold: Dynascape, Silver: Select Stone, Connon NVK, Moonstruck Landscape Lighting. There was a networking reception after the conference where sponsors of the event were able to display their products and connect with participants. The group would also like to thank Kristen McIntyre for her continued support and commitment in bringing the conference together.

The past 12 months have been very busy for the sector group and we have been working away on a number of projects including: • S uccessfully developing and launching a new portfolio evaluation review process that reflects the CLD manual and new exam. A webinar presentation by Chris Mace and Paul Brydges, in conjunction with CNLA, is currently being organized to teach other provincial associations how to evaluate CLD portfolio submissions using the new review criteria.

• I mplementing the Certified Landscape Designers Grandfathering Process and Application Form. The Grandfathering issue will be promoted at the Landscape Designers Conference and more broadly across Ontario. The review committee members for the grandfathering process are Ron Koudys, Don Chase and Haig Seferian. To date, we have had five successful applications for the CLD certification, via the Grandfathering process.

• C ontinue to work on a proposed Name Act for Landscape Designers in conjunction with the OALA, as it pursues a Practice Act for Landscape Architects.

• C ontinuing the new website to promote landscape designers and the CLD certification. The new website is up and running and can be found at certifiedlandscapedesigner.com.

• P lanning for the upcoming Landscape Designers Conference in 2016.

• W orking with the Peel and York Region on a new program entitled Fusion. This will promote environmentally friendly and water smart gardens.

Respectfully submitted, Chris Mace Chair 2014-2015

Lawn Care

Chair: Steve Tschanz Past chair: Gavin Dawson Vice-chair: Kyle Tobin Board representative: Alan White Members: Tom Somerville, John Wright, Paul Gaspar, Mike Miltenburg, Richard Reed, John McIntosh, Don McQueen, Bill Van Ryan, Kerry Whale, Rohan Harrison, Ken Pavely, Don Voorhees, Tim Tripp This past year, the Lawn Care Sector floated into Canada Blooms on a sailboat promoting the benefits of having a lawn. Although some of the message was lost in the waves, it was an excellent display which tied turf in with fresh bodies of water. Thank you goes to Beth Edney for the great design and the Sod Growers for supplying the sod.

The Lawn Care Sector Group has continued to be in touch with different layers of the provincial government to make sure that they know

2015 ANNUAL REPORT Thirteen exhibits showcased new and innovative landscape lighting products for the coming season. It gave everyone an opportunity to see the products up close and talk to the suppliers throughout the day. Also included was an important and timely keynote from Ruurd van de Ven from Arborvalley Urban Forestry on issues that affect even the most seasoned contractor.

He focused on how to properly climb and mount trees during installation, proper pruning techniques and climbing safety.

The group also participated in the judging of the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence in the Landscape Lighting categories. Priorities in the coming year include a valued and significant role in the lighting design of the 20th anniversary Canada Blooms Festival. The Group will continue its work in the development of a lighting education and training program, The unique display of turf waves drew a great deal of attention to the Lawn Care Sector as well as continue developing a new and improved Group’s display at Canada Blooms. website.

We are always looking for new members in the Lighting Secthe pesticide ban has flaws. We keep proposing changes that would tor Group and encourage all Landscape Ontario members who are strengthen the government’s position, while possibly giving the sector interested or involved in the outdoor lighting industry to come out more tools. This continues to be a frustrating exercise, as each meetand join us. ing for lawn care members feels like the first.

We wished Pam Charbonneau great success in future endeavours, Respectfully submitted, when she retired from OMAFRA after holding the position for the betJames Solecki ter part of 25 years. We have been lobbying OMAFRA for a replaceChair 2015 ment, since there is great need for a turf extension position.

The lawn care sector sent out a survey to those members who have serviced the sector in some form during the past. The survey results concluded that a combination of new products is not working.

Chair: William Jordan Price and various forms of cheating are why the lawn care sector is Provincial board representative: Mark Humphries on the decline. Also, there is a dramatic reduction in profitability for the Treasurer: Robert Roszell industry.

Committee: Daniel Anisz, Craig Armstrong, Vince Arone, It is with heavy hearts that the members of the lawn care sector Nichole Ashton, Michael Boffo, Robert Boffo, Gerald Boot, said good bye to John Wright. John was a Landscape Ontario founder Dan Booth CLT, John Buikema, Thomas Carre, John Fulford, and great representative for the lawn care industry.

Trish Gallagher, Eric Gordon, Lee Gould, Steve Hary, Ed Hewis, Jeff Lowartz CLT, Jim Melo, Brian Mettel, Jim Monk, Brian Perras, Respectfully submitted, Fred Persia, Robert Tester, Dan Winstanley Steve Tschanz Chair 2014 -2015 This year has brought some change to the group.

We saw a long-time board member retire this year. We are all going to truly miss John O’Leary from Clintar Grounds Management.

His positive attitude and industry knowledge have helped the snow Chair/provincial board representative: James Solecki and ice group achieve its goals.

Members: Frank DiMarco, Carl Hastings, John Higo, Leon Hordyk, Also with the theme of change this year, we had a new location Cory MacCallum CIT, Ken Martin, Jamie Riddell, Joe Willemse, for the Snowposium. It moved to the Ancaster Fairgrounds as part of Rob Core Thrive ’15. We had a great turnout with speakers from Canada and the U.S. We will also be looking at adding more features at the new The Lighting Sector Group had a busy year and continues its work in location, as the Ancaster Fairgrounds offer a larger space for the the areas of professional development, education, and eventually cerSnowposium. tification. The group is also working on initiatives that will help raise the awareness of professional outdoor lighting design and installation.

Respectfully submitted, The 6th annual Landscape Lighting Conference was held on Feb. William Jordan 25 at Teatro Conference and Event Centre in Milton. Landscape Chair 2015 Ontario’s Landscape Lighting Sector Group was host and planning committee of this event, and worked hard to ensure the content for the day was geared to the seasoned contractor.

The conference kicked off with the popular round-table discussion groups, with the focus was on what matters most to today’s lighting contractor: safety on the job, opportunities and new technologies, and award winning lighting. The morning keynote presentation on planning for profitability was delivered by George Urvari of Oriole Landscaping.

Snow and Ice Management

Lighting

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 31

2015 Committee reports Building

Chair: Karl Stensson Directors: Hank Gelderman CLT, Tom Intven, Paul Olsen, John Putzer, Haig Seferian CLD, Marc Thiebaud, Rene Thiebaud CLM, Bob Tubby CLM, Monica van Maris, Neil Vanderkruk Years ago, I became chair of the Building Committee because I wanted to get rid of the “sheet” that was on the building. The sheet has been transformed into a beautiful looking Landscape Ontario Green for Life sign. However, with the recent sale of half of the 48 acres, we can now dream of a renewed facility that will reflect the stature, professionalism and values of the industry and membership.

The sale of the property will allow us to accelerate our vision for a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and valued industry.

Here are the final sale numbers: Original sale price to Broccolini, eventually assigned to Investors Group, $9,280,580.80, based on 24.16 acres x $384,130 per acre $28,000 interest at $14,000 per month, because of delayed closing $2,000 interest on the deposit ($36,402) Credit widening of Steeles Ave. reduced acreage by .0947 ($20,000) Credit wetland flagged by Conservation Halton

Canada Blooms saw over 200,000 visitors this year.

32 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

($272,732) Credit loss of .710 acres to MTO for 401 widening ($96,476.80) Broker fees $4,130 per acre ($36,000) Legal fees $284,000 Sale of .710 acres to MTO for 401 widening $9,132,970 Net proceeds We look forward to renewing the property. The site will be finally serviced with water, sewage and fire service (paid for by the purchaser as part of the deal). We have engaged an architect to provide a number of options and we are seeking proposals from construction firms.

The next few years will be exciting.

Respectfully submitted, Karl Stensson Chair 2014 - 2015

Canada Blooms

This year marked an evolution in Canada Blooms. This was evident in several ways. General Manager Terry Caddo and Horticulture Director David Turnbull were new. The location of Canada Blooms at the Direct Energy Centre was also new. The re-location of the office of

2015 ANNUAL REPORT Canada Blooms to Landscape Ontario was new. What was not new, was the support of Canada Blooms from Landscape Ontario staff and members.

The year 2015 also marked a re-dedication of the many sector groups of Landscape Ontario to profile respective areas at Canada Blooms. The garden builders, who are always a significant part of Canada Blooms, were front and centre with Garfield Thompson winning the judges’ choice for Best Garden and Genoscape winning the People’s Choice Award.

The Turf Sector Group sculpted sod into waves in an area that was always full of children. The Growers Sector Group provided what the judges described as the most diverse tree and plant offering in years.

The dramatic lighting affect was supported by the Lighting Sector Group, which saw members involved over 10 months in the planning to make this work. If not on their own, all of the other sectors were profiled in the Landscape Ontario Otium Exercise Garden, designed

by Shaun Gallagher.

Canada Blooms arrives at a perfect time of the year to encourage the public to think about all areas of the green community, whether going to a garden centre or hiring a contractor. With the help of Denis Flanagan, Canada Blooms generated $2-million of positive public relations value. It saw just under 200,000 visitors to the event. Canada Blooms also provided over 250 educational seminars for the public.

In 2014, Landscape Ontario was represented on the Board of Canada Blooms by Anna van Maris, Gregg Salivan, Janet Ennamorato and Ryan Heath CLM, CLT. I would like to invite all members of Landscape Ontario to the 20th anniversary of Canada Blooms on March 11-20 at the renamed Enercare Centre. The theme at the 20th anniversary is, “It’s a Party.”

Respectfully submitted, Gregg Salivan Treasurer 2014

CNLA

LO representative: Alan White The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is made up of nine provincial associations. Landscape Ontario is its largest member. Every member of each provincial association is automatically a member of CNLA. You get two memberships in one.

The role of CNLA is identical to Landscape Ontario. Our common vision is to grow a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and valued green industry. We align as much activity as possible with other provinces, so that we can achieve more together in an accelerated fashion.

I serve as Landscape Ontario’s representative. Ontario is well represented with Rene Thiebaud (president), Gerald Boot and Harold Deenen all holding positions.

Here is a brief review of CNLA highlights in 2015.

Human resource and certification CNLA is involved in many human resource and professional development activities. They administer certification, promote Red Seal apprenticeship, on the job training and many other programs. They also advocate for our sector at Service Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Affinity programs CNLA is also the administrator of many of the affinity programs we enjoy such as GM, Kubota, HortProtect, Esso, Chrysler, etc. If you

take advantage of the affinity programs, membership in your local association pays for itself many times over. An extensive list of money saving programs is at gfl.me/h2IN. Government relations CNLA is involved with many federal government agencies, such as CFIA, PMRA, Service Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada and Agriculture Canada. Most of the advocacy is performed by the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance, which includes Flowers Canada and our Quebec counterpart FIHOQ. The government relations work is detailed and complex, but is always related to achieving our collective vision of a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and valued industry.

National standards A new landscape standard for the industry is being created. This ambitious project is being done in partnership with the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. When completed, it will elevate the standards of quality in the landscape industry.

Green infrastructure advocacy In March 2016, CNLA will host the International Green City Conference in B.C. The conference will continue to promote the value and benefits of living green infrastructure as a solution to many large societal issues, such as climate change, energy conservation, health promotion, sedentary lifestyles, storm water management and many issues.

Research and plant Introductions CNLA has custody and responsibility for rose genetics, which originated from federal research stations at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa and Morden in Manitoba. The genetics now reside with Vineland Innovation and Research Centre. New varieties are being introduced to the market. Last year saw the release of the Never Alone Rose. A total of 48,000 of these roses were sold.

Turf working group As a lawn care provider, I have a special interest in the turf working group. The goal is to bring together all turf stakeholders, so that we can more efficiently work on common issues. These may include access to plant protection products and public awareness of the environmental, economic, lifestyle, health and life-enhancing benefits of turf.

There are many other activities performed by the CNLA. The industry is much better as a collective working together in a common and aligned effort.

Respectfully submitted, Alan White CNLA representative

Communications

Chair: Hank Gelderman CLT Members: Gerald Boot CLM, Paul Brydges, Laura Catalano, Mark Fisher, Marty Lamers, Jan Laurin, Bob Tubby CLM and Nick Winkelmolen Thanks to the members of LO’s Communications Committee, who consistently provide guidance and insight for our varied communication efforts.

We are pleased to see another successful year for our flagship publication, Landscape Trades. The magazine continues to provide 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 33

unique business management information for Canada’s green industry sectors. Many members are not aware that every one of its 8,500 subscribers is a verified industry participant. Since there are only 3,800 provincial association members in Canada, Landscape Trades performs an important outreach and recruitment function.

Landscape Ontario magazine is also on healthy footing; revenue grew by an impressive 30 per cent this year. This year, your magazine team executed an idea to combine the July and August issues into a special membership issue, which was very well received. Extra copies of that issue will be distributed at Congress as a membership promotion tool.

The electronic face of the magazine, our weekly enews broadcast, remains an important communications tool. It is especially effective at driving enthusiasm and attendance for LO events. Advertising space in enews is offered to supplier members only; they get an exclusive marketing opportunity, and LO benefits from a new revenue stream.

LO’s communications team works closely with our membership department on the Green for Life promotion initiative. Thanks to Green for Life, members continue to get new business referrals from our consumer-targeted website. Our public relations efforts get valuable press pickup, enhancing the industry’s profile. And we continue to publicize the great projects our chapters build in their communities. Garden Inspiration magazine inspires homeowners with the benefits and beauty of horticulture, and connects them with LO members.

Every year I mention the wide-ranging support your team provides to LO’s initiatives, such as safety and education. This year, the Communication Department provided a level of support for the rebranded Thrive show one would expect to see from a top-level design studio and ad agency. Team members were instrumental in re-imagining Garden Expo as Thrive, involved with everything from identity to stunning graphics.

Just as our Committee members change over time, so inevitably does our Communications staff. Longstanding, respected members Sarah Willis and Allan Dennis have both decided to start new chapters in their lives, and I join with all members in expressing deep thanks for their tireless efforts. While we are saddened to see them go, we look forward to welcoming new talents and ideas — please watch this space next year for details.

Respectfully submitted, Hank Gelderman Chair 2014 - 2015

Human Resource Development

Chair: Harold Deenen CLM CNLA observer: Stacey Porter Members: Jacki Hart CLM, Michael Pascoe CLT, Richard Rogers CLT, John Soychak, Donald Tellier CLT, Alan White The Human Resource Development Committee has celebrated another active year in terms of connecting dots, developing partnerships, advancing government relations, lobbying to secure a healthy business environment for our members and developing and delivering relevant professional development opportunities. All this ensures that we continue to develop a skilled workforce to support the needs of our member firms today and for the long term.

The committee works diligently on your behalf to ensure that we are maximizing resources that promote and foster a favourable climate for our industry. We accomplish this by producing results that advance

34 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

recognition of a professional and ethical industry that designs, installs and maintains the green infrastructure that provides a safe and healthy environment that supports the health and wellness of every community. This committee oversees the activity of Landscape Ontario’s Education and Labour Development Department.

We are pleased to present a summary of the highlights of the past year.

Career promotion • L abour development from career awareness and promotion and the development of engaging training opportunities aimed at youth continued to be a focus. The activity is centred on inspiring connectivity between industry, youth and parents and educators and government with the intention that this work will support the future skilled labour requirements of the industry.

• O YAP conferences and secondary teacher and mentorship guest speaker programs were widely supported.

• S kills Ontario workshops and career booths provided experiential opportunities for over 1,000 youth, parents and teachers.

• S upported members and participated in career awareness and promotion opportunities aimed at both secondary and post-secondary students.

• I n partnership with the CNLA, we co-hosted the Cultivate and Connect event at Congress 2015. It was another successful event. We will continue to strive to connect educators, industry, youth and policy makers to enhance career opportunity awareness. We will also set the stage for improved industry and education alignment that ensures training is relevant to industry needs and that employers are providing appropriate on-the-job training opportunities. The event also recognized the Come Alive Outside teams and Ursula Franklin Academy as the 2015 Design Challenge first place award winner. The competition was a tight race, with Fanshawe College, Durham College and Seneca College teams submitting entries. Some of the projects are presently in the build phase.

• I n partnership with the CNLA, we have been developing a new Green Careers Canada website hub that will be the industry, educator, guidance counsellor and parent portal for Ontario and our provincial partners. The official launch is at Congress 2016.

Secondary and post-secondary education • The year 2015 celebrates the union of the Horticulture Ontario School Teachers Association (HOSTA) and the Ontario Horticulture Educators Council (OHEC). We are pleased to support the new organization, Horticulture Educators Association.

• C ontinue to support the Specialist High Skills Major program in Horticulture and Landscape. There are 25 programs across the province, and 80-plus Green Industry Programs.

• S upported the Skills Ontario competitions in Landscape Design and Horticulture and Landscape at both secondary and postsecondary levels and grade 7- 8 workshops.

• S kills Canada was held in Toronto. St. Clair College represented Team Ontario and placed fourth of six teams • S upported the 2015 Come Alive Outside Design Challenge that connected and engaged secondary and post-secondary programs in design vignettes that resulted in landscape and built outdoor spaces for youth. The website is comealiveoutside. com/design-challenge-canada.

• P resented topic, Safety in the Classroom, as guest speaker at the OCTE Conference.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Landscape Ontario plays a big part in the Skills Ontario competition.

Apprenticeship • L O supports all apprenticeship programs across the province.

• Eastern Ontario closure of Kemptville resulted in strong government lobbying and advocacy to ensure that all Level 1 apprentices have the opportunity to complete their Level 2 training at Kemptville College.

• I n response to declining employer and employee participation in the apprenticeship training program, LO has elevated its focus this year with: communicating the message that the apprenticeship program is a GIFT from the government and if we do not support it we could lose it; Improved awareness has increased registrations, which inspired the need for LO to support our busy employers and apprentices so we developed a voluntary apprentice/employer registry; support of all employers and apprentices through the very complex application and registration process; government relations to build partnerships that support delivery of the Apprenticeship training program in Eastern Ontario; based on the success of the LO pilot program, it is anticipated that we will continue to support the program and elevate our support and coordination to a higher level.

• L O members provide representation on The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) Trade Board.

• W orking with OCOT and CCDA on exciting updates to our apprenticeship program.

Professional development • F our tests were hosted in 2015 at home office in Milton, Kemptville College and Fanshawe College.

• The integrated model is leading the way as more colleges across Canada are working to bring the certification program into the second year curriculum, based on the innovative model piloted by Fanshawe College. Students can graduate with

diplomas, a Landscape Industry Certification and other certificates.

• The Certified Landscape Professional program (CLP) was renamed Certified Landscape Manager (CLM).

• The CLD program update was completed with the launch of a new exam portfolio and the introduction of a grandfathering opportunity.

Conference and sector event highlights • C ongress celebrated another well attended Conference program that received record feedback as the best yet.

• The Peers Helping Peers Workshop at Congress launched a new Peer-to-Peer program that has elevated connectivity and provided positive impact on member businesses throughout 2015.

• S ector events continue to be popular with solid attendance throughout the winter and at Thrive in September.

HR Toolkit • U pdated annually by our HR consultant with free downloads and best practices aimed at supporting small business in managing their HR asset.

• E very business owner and educator should make use of this amazing tool.

Seminar program • P rosperity Partnership seminar program continues to offer relevant professional development for everyone in the industry with 140 seminars offered and an impressive 15 per cent increase in participation.

• S eminars are organized by topic and by the corresponding prosperity pillars: Customers for Life, Financial Health, Leader2015 ANNUAL REPORT 35

ship, Operational Excellence and Sales Success.

• O nline learning opportunities were provided by trusted industry Prosperity Partners.

Safety The LO Safety Group continues to support members to develop and maintain compliance-based prevention programs within their businesses. The firms that participate gain a solid understanding of what prevention systems must be in place. As a result, they celebrate reduced lost time due to their awareness of best practices that lead to a safer workplace.

Partnerships • The WSIP Training and Certification Program is the second pilot year in partnership with the Region of Peel and York Region. Another solid program was delivered to selected irrigation companies with specialized training and certification. This provides irrigation system efficiency and maintenance services to Irrigation Components International clients in York and Peel Regions in support of environmental protection and sustainable water use.

• Advancing Women in Horticulture through mentorship is funded by the Status of Women in Canada in partnership with Microskills. The purpose is to inspire and encourage women to achieve their highest potential within their careers in the horticultural sector by developing and maintaining a custom mentorship program with LO to serve all members. Official launch of the mentorship framework will be early 2016.

• P re-Apprenticeship program is in partnership with Microskills and Humber College. This is the eighth class of women the program has supported. More than 150 women remain and are working in the industry today.

• P rojects with CNLA include compulsory trade/licensing research, Cultivate and Connect event; Effective Leadership resource development; Green Careers Canada website development; Industry accreditation pilot framework; Labour Market Information project (CNLA and CAHRC); National Landscape Standard Review Project and wage surveys.

Government relations and advocacy • C onnecting with multiple levels of government continued to drive this committee to ensure that we are at the table when the conversation does, or can impact our industry.

• C ommittee leaders and staff continue to build relationship with College of Trades, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Transportation, Workplace Safety Prevention Services, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Ministry of Agriculture (Horticulture Value Chain Roundtable Labour Working Group), Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council, Labour Issues Coordinating Committee and numerous other green industry related organizations and associations.

• L O has participated in several Ministry of Labour meetings to raise awareness of industry challenges and navigation of the complex Employment Standards regulations (overtime, seasonality, statutory holidays, hours of work, etc.) that present challenges for the industry.

• The Prevention Office of the Ministry of Labour has engaged the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services to support the horticulture and agriculture industries in the development of an agriculture strategy to elevate safety in our workplaces.

• P articipated in consultations and communicated our position

36 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

on the Ontario College of Trades’ Scopes of Practice and Classification and re-classification and the WSIB rate framework modernization Respectfully submitted, Harold Deenen CLM Chair

Membership Services

Chair: Lexi Dearborn CLD Past chair: Paul Doornbos CLM, CLT Members: Lindsay Drake-Nightingale; Nick Solty; Terry Childs; Ed Hanson; Laurie-Ann Stuart; Georgie Hamilton; Carol Fulford; Jason Dietrich; Jessica Aytoun; Fran Mackenzie The Membership Services Committee mandate is, “To develop and have oversight for membership services offerings and governance and leadership development. It will seek to enhance relevance of Landscape Ontario at the local level. It will support and assist all chapters and sector groups in fulfilling respective mandates. It will provide programs that offer personal and leadership development opportunities for governance members.”

The Dues Sub-Committee created and sent out a survey to members in 2015. Unfortunately, there was a poor response to the survey, so the committee was unable to move forward with recommendations for any adjustments to membership dues. Members of the Sub-Committee are Chair, Margot Byers of Georgian Lakelands Chapter; Sundaura Alford of Ottawa Chapter; Terry Childs of Upper Canada Chapter; Teresa Matamoros of Georgian Lakelands Chapter; Carol Fulford of Durham Chapter and Nick Solty of Georgian Lakelands Chapter.

There were 56 Landscape Ontario members, including Chapter Board of Directors and representatives from the Landscape Contractors and Landscape Designers Sector Groups, in attendance at the Governance meeting in December of 2014. Entitled ‘You Matter’ – Growing Landscape Ontario, the meeting covered a number of issues and topics. This was an opportunity for the Membership Services Committee to receive feedback and ideas directly from our members.

The morning session included a brainstorming group activity on the future of Landscape Ontario. Scenarios included, If LO was in the news in five years’ time, what would the headline be? Groups worked to create headlines from LO goes to Prison to LO hits 5,000 members!

The Governance meeting also examined the future of the Endorsed Supplier program. What company discounts would members like to see from Endorsed Suppliers, and how would it benefit members, their businesses and staff?

The afternoon round-table discussions included the following: • S hould Chapter meetings be more formal? If so, what would this look like?

• C ommunications — Making it Happen.

• D istance Communications and Education — Reaching Members Where They Live • P romoting LO to the Public. Getting the Word Out • V olunteer Time — Managing Volunteer Burnout • L andscape Ontario Connections. Being of service to our members • M embership Dues. Does there need to be changes?

• L andscape Ontario Trades website. Are we giving it away for free?

A number of very interesting ideas came from the feedback by our members during this day. Staff has been working to implement these

2015 ANNUAL REPORT ideas, and we will launch a new member benefit at Governance 2015.

Regional membership meetings were held from February to March 2015 to provide an update after the Governance meeting. The membership meetings gathered additional ideas and suggestions from a smaller group setting. The regional meetings were held in the following chapters: East meeting — Ottawa at Green Trade, 20-plus attending from Ottawa and Upper Canada Chapters; West meeting — London after its Chapter meeting, with 15 attending; Central meeting — Toronto at Canada Blooms with 20-plus attending, including Toronto, Golden Horseshoe and Georgian Lakelands Chapters.

Two main concerns came from these meetings: Getting the word out – communications; and distance education locally — reaching members where they live.

We had great discussions about the weekly enews, trade website, Green for Life website and social media in all regional meetings.

Results from these discussions are: • C hanges have been made to the enews to allow members to find What’s Up in their Chapter with the click of a button. Members are directed to their respective Chapter webpage on the trade site.

• C hanges are underway to join the Trade and Green for Life websites. Such a great idea. It allows the public to really understand we are a trade association. Staff is working to simplify the trade website to allow members to find that they need, when they need it.

• S ocial Media – staff should have access to all social media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and so on for each Chapter. This allows staff to post relevant event information assisting each Chapter in promoting events, meetings, and socials. We’re not quite there yet. I think we are missing the boat when it comes to social media – first getting access for staff to Chapter sites and pages and to our members who look to social media for a quick hit of information.

• A few Chapters have chosen to create their own methods of communications — websites for example. If the existing communication methods are not working for a Chapter, it was felt that Chapter should share with us why the LO website isn’t working for them.

• Texting – Could members text quick messages, such as, Meeting Tomorrow Register Now, or See you there?

The group discussions also tackled the question, How do we as an organization provide quality and relevant education to members in their chapters?

The groups looked at the possibility of videotaping educational courses or speakers, so members could register, sign in, and hear from qualified teachers and industry leaders through LO, instead of travelling to Milton.

These courses could be done in a group setting (the Chapter would provide a space with a group discussion after the seminar), or on an individual basis at home office. As we have come to learn, there are a number of hurdles to overcome: • S peaker material is proprietary – who would allow us to take their materials and use it? If we could use the materials how do we track and pay for it?

• C ould instructional classes be offered over the Internet in the evenings, over a couple of weeks? Many college and university courses use this method.

• C ould we provide education tips or techniques to members through our existing associate members? Could we have short how to tips we could offer to members?

• W ill distance communications help resolve the lack of atten-

dance at Milton seminars? Does it allow us to meet the needs of our members, such as where they live?

The Membership Services Committee is always looking for member feedback and ideas. Please feel free to contact your local Chapter representative with your great ideas.

Respectfully submitted, Lexi Dearborn CLD Committee Chair, 2015

Pesticide Industry Council Chair: John Wright, 2000 - 2015 Secretary: Tony DiGiovanni Manager PIC: Tom Somerville

It is with sadness that I must note in my report the passing of John Wright, chair of the Pesticide Industry Council. John was a founding member of the Pesticide Technician Program and a great supporter of the Pesticide Industry Council.

In 2000, the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) implemented new requirements under the Pesticide Act (originally Ontario Regulation 914). Under the new requirements, anyone who applied pesticides had to be either licensed or have Technician Status. The new regulation required that all unlicensed assistants, working with licensed exterminators, must complete a basic pesticide safety course to acquire the Technician Status in order to legally apply pesticides.

The Pesticide Technician Program (PTP) was then established as the basic pesticide safety course to acquire Technician Status and meet the new requirements. The PTP is a two-part basic pesticide safety program that incorporates both a practical component and an academic exam in the training requirements.

The Pesticide Industry Council (PIC) was formed on behalf of the pesticide industry and has worked with MOE since 2000 to meet the requirements and administer the Pesticide Technician Program. Landscape Ontario agreed to be the administrator of the Pesticide Technician Program on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Environment under the guidance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

PIC is a council that has representation from Hydro One, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, Professional Lawn Care Association of Ontario, 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 Association.

This is the sixth year that PTP and PIC have worked within the framework of the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2009.

In 2015, 587 technicians enrolled in the PTP program.

Respectfully submitted, Tom Somerville Manager PIC

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 37

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons wowed the capacity audience at the 50th anniversary of the IPM Symposium.

IPM Symposium

Chair: Kyle Tobin Committee members: Pam Charbonneau, Paul Gaspar, Rohan Harrison, Monica van Maris, Ken Pavely, Lee Ratcliffe, Violet Van Wassenaer, John Wright The 2015 edition marked the 50th anniversary of the IPM Symposium.

It was held in conjunction with the Congress trade show and Conference on Jan. 5 in the Cohen Ballroom of the Toronto Congress Centre.

The schedule included back-to-back technical sessions focusing on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. The intent was to provide a sense of assurance that as lawn care operators, we are not alone and all endure the same hardships, and can learn from each others’ successes.

The technical sessions were capped off by an inspiring keynote presentation from Canadian football celebrity Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons.

His larger-than-life personality engaged the crowd. The technical sessions qualified attendees for IPM Council of Canada CECs. Lunch was included as well as a networking reception at the end of the day, concluding with a special VIP dinner with Pinball to help celebrate the 50th anniversary. Pam Charbonneau and Monica van Maris were both recognized for their outstanding contributions to this event over the years.

A special note of appreciation goes to all of the sponsors. The committee could not achieve the high level of experience to our guests without the sponsoring businesses’ contributions. Also appreciated are the returned attendee surveys. It is appreciated for the time it takes to complete the comments. Those comments help build and shape future events. This symposium would not be as successful without our dedicated committee members. They all contribute to the success of the event, and their time and expertise is appreciated.

We strive to continue to be regarded as professionals in our field of turf and landscape management. For all who attended, I wish to express my thanks.

Respectfully submitted, Kyle Tobin Chair 2014 - 2015

38 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Congress and Garden Expo Chair: Terry Childs Vice chair Congress: Nathan Helder Vice chair Garden Expo: Michael LaPorte CHT Past chair: Beth Edney CLD LO board liason: Dave Braun Members: Brian Cocks CLT, Douglas Coote, Paul DeGroot, Barry Dickson, Kim Iceton, Mike Riehm, Klaas Sikkema, Monica van Maris, Jason Vettese

Two major trade shows are hosted by Landscape Ontario’s Show Committee. The events serve a dual purpose of meeting members’ needs for product sourcing and professional development. The events include exhibits, education seminars and peer networking, as well as special features.

Landscape Ontario’s Thrive ’15 Landscape Ontario’s Thrive ’15 was held Sept. 16 and 17, at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.

Landscape Ontario was pleased to announce a new headline event in 2015. Thrive ’15 featured some of the most popular annual offerings all at one venue over two days. The association and its sector groups came together to brainstorm how to better serve the industry’s needs for professional development, face-to-face opportunities and purchasing in the fall. The association re-positioned the Garden Expo trade show and conference, Snowposium (snow and ice conference and expo), Industry Auction and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s Chicken Roast all at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. Each brand kept its original identity under the flagship Thrive.

Thrive was designed to serve the needs of the wholesale nursery growers, retail garden centre professionals, landscape contractors, landscape designers and snow and ice professionals. It was developed to build upon and improve professionalism and business acumen. Thrive ‘15 offered trade exhibits, a learning forum, a live plant auction, Awards of Excellence and family friendly socials.

Currently, the committee is working on looking at re-positioning Garden Expo to co-locate it with the Canadian Greenhouse Confer-

2015 ANNUAL REPORT ence (CGA). This has been a goal for Landscape Ontario for many years and at this time the CGC is willing to discuss the possibility of working together. The Auction will return to a grower’s property, and the Snowposium will return to Landscape Ontario home office property.

Thrive was a fantastic venture for all groups, volunteers and members, as well as staff. Timing and dates are the issue. The trade show department is pleased to report that our bottom line exceeded expectations and did not put Landscape Ontario at any risk of financial loss.

Congress 2015 Canada’s international horticultural lawn and garden trade show and conference, ran Jan. 6 to 8, 2015 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Canada’s top green industry event generated a lot of energy among its exhibitors and industry professionals. Among the main highlights was the upswing in exhibit sales. Revenue trended nearly $30,000 above the event’s budgeted $1.9 million. Attendance remained consistent at close to 13,000 delegates.

Partners, the Canadian Fence Industry Association, and sponsors Banas Stones, Global Arch/Stone Arch, Husqvarna Corporate, Doubletree by Hilton, Landscape Trades, Bobcat Company, Vermeer Canada and Medallion Fence were on hand to celebrate.

The juried New Product Showcase was bursting with innovative products in its new location, which were displayed in over 2,000 sq. ft.

Students continue to benefit from the theoretical knowledge acquired at schools offering horticulture programs and the hands-on experience of the Congress student garden builds. The 2015 participant colleges included Humber, Fanshawe, Niagara and St. Clair and University of Guelph (Ridgetown Campus).

The Conference portion of Congress was re-formatted as well as the pre-event programs. Congress Conferences give delegates a program that features the industry’s most popular speakers. This brought together powerhouse industry experts and top-notch panels to show delegates how to balance work and play, while growing their businesses. The program is designed to improve professional development and reduce business expenses. Delegates responded with positive feedback, specifically on the quality of the topics, programming and great lunches.

The Awards of Excellence ceremony, a Congress favourite, was hosted by Frank Ferragine of Breakfast Television and CityTV. Finally, it is my pleasure to thank volunteers and committee members for all their guidance, insights and help. Our success stems from the personal touch that our volunteers add to our events. The trade show department has proved to be a strong team of leaders, who are willing to take risks and try new things, while they continue to grow our association Respectfully submitted, Terry Childs Chair 2015

2015 Volunteers Every year Landscape Ontario benefits from amazing contributions through the volunteer efforts of members, who serve their association throughout the year in a wide variety of duties.

From sitting on committees, to deciding the future of the industry and the association, or helping at special events, LO proudly points to hundreds of members who care. Committees include, Accreditation, Awards of Excellence, Board of Directors, Branding, Building, Chapter Boards (Durham, Georgian Lakelands, Golden Horseshoe, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Upper Canada, Waterloo and Windsor), Communication, Executive/Finance, Environmental Stewardship, Foundation, Sector Groups (Garden Centres, Grounds Management, Growers, Interior Plantscapes, Irrigation, Landscape Designers, Landscape Contractors, Lighting, Lawn Care and Snow and Ice Management), IPM Symposium, Past Presidents, Pesticide Industry Council, Prosperity Partners, Trade Show and Trial Gardens.

The following members have freely offered their time, energy and expertise to help keep Landscape Ontario a valuable and strong association.

Jamie Aalbers Northern Mini Roses Randy Adams RM Adams Trucking Robert Adams Adams Landscaping and Property Maintenance Rob Albrecht John’s Nursery Sundaura Alford-Purvis CLD A Cultivated Art Bob Allen RW Allen Horticultural Services Kevin Almeida Almeida and Almeida Landscaping Gus Amro So Green Canada (Landscape Design Build) Daniel Anisz Clintar Landscape Management Head Office Craig Armstrong International Landscaping Vince Arone Pinpoint GPS Solutions Jessica Aytoun Paul Barker CIT Automatic Rain Lynne Barnes Heartwood Landscapes Andrew Barz Meadowbrook Landscape Contracting Brian Baun B.K. Baun Landscape Bill Beamish Beamish Landscape Services

Andrew Beattie CIT Ideal Landscape Services Sarah Beckon Allweather Landscape Ken Bekendam Cedar Springs Landscape Group Barry Benjamin Barry Benjamin and Associates Sue Blaney Lechuza Canada Thomas Blatter CLM Dreamestate Landscaping Michael Boffo Boffo Landscaping Robert Boffo Boffo Landscaping Gerald Boot CLM Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance Dan Booth CLT, CIT B.P. Landscaping and Snow Removal John Bos CLT Bos Landscaping Neil Bouma Picture Perfect Landscaping Quinte Gerwin Bouman Stam Nurseries John Bouwmeister Bouwmeister Adam Braun CLT Gelderman Landscape Services Dave Braun Braun Nursery Paul Brydges Brydges Landscape Architecture Richard Burch CIT, CLM, CIT Burch Landscape Services

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 39

Andrew Burgess Natural Impressions Landscaping Chris Burns CLT Clintar Landscape Management - Ottawa Margot Byers Ladybird Garden Design Thomas Carre Innovative Surface Solutions Diana Cassidy-Bush CLM Fresh Landscape and Garden Solutions Laura Catalano Nisco National Leasing Phil Charal Allweather Landscape Don Chase CLD Seferian Design Group Terry Childs Nature’s Way Landscaping Ryan Chuchmach FlightLine Golf Chris Church Outdoor Supplies and Equipment Chris Clayton Christopher Clayton Landscape Architect Ashley Cochrane The Cutting Edge Landscaping Brian Cocks CLT Douglas Coote DG Coote Enterprises Sal Costante Cedar Springs Decks and Fences Tim Cruickshanks Cruickshanks Property Services Jim Curran Lafleur de la Capitale Gavin Dawson GreenLawn Paul DeGroot Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Lexi Dearborn CLD Dearborn Designs and Associates Harold Deenen Hank Deenen Landscaping Bill Degraaf Permacon Michael Di Nunzio Vanden Bussche Irrigation and Equipment Frank DiMarco DiMarco Landscape Lighting Barry Dickson B.R. Dickson Equipment Jason Dietrich Ace Lawn Care Paulo Domingues Aquaman Irrigation Paul Doornbos Thornbusch Landscaping Company Lindsay Drake Nightingale Yorkshire Garden Services Matthew Dressing Sheridan Nurseries (Whitby)

40 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Scott Duff Aura Landscaping Scott Durst Orchid Gardenscapes Jon Durzi Miller Compost The Miller Group Beth Edney Designs By The Yard Jeff Eichenberger Ikes Turf Janet Ennamorato Creative Garden Designs Jeff Fennema Gelderman Landscape Services Carmine Filice Greentario Landscaping (2006) Mark Fisher The Escarpment Company Shawn Foley The Waterboys Contracting Mike Fulcher Permacon Ottawa Carol Fulford Gerrits Property Services John Fulford Gerrits Property Services Dan Garlatti Garlatti Landscaping Trevor Garner LP Landscape Plus Paul Gaspar Weed Man - Toronto Jason Gaw Sycamore Landscape Derek Geddes Coldstream Land Escape Company Brandon Gelderman Gelderlands Hank Gelderman Gelderman Landscape Services Harry Gelderman Gelderman Landscape Services Jeff Gilberds Clintar Landscape Management Head Office Sabrina Goettler Oriole Landscaping Eric Gordon Gordon Landscape Company Lee Gould Smart About Salt Council Nick Graham Sifton Properties Jeff Gregg V Kraus Nurseries Perry Grobe Grobe Nursery and Garden Centre Peter Guinane Oriole Landscaping David Gunn Gunn-Duncan Landscaping Georgie Hamilton Cut Above Natural Stone Ed Hansen Hansen Lawn and Gardens

Rohan Harrison Premier Turf Jacki Hart Water’s Edge Landscaping Matt Hart MPH Hardscapes Steve Hary The Landscape Company Carl Hastings Arbordale Landscaping Cody Haubrich Vanden Bussche Irrigation Milton Ryan Heath Kreative Woodworking Nathan Helder Gelderman Landscape Services Steve Hernandez Turf Care Products Canada Edward Hewis Ground Control Contracting John Hewson Greenscape Lawn Maintenance John Higo Illumicare Group Limited Barry Hordyk Shademaster Landscaping Leon Hordyk Shademaster Landscaping Martin Horsman Gelderman Landscape Services Eric Horst Alltask Property Improvement Mark Humphries Humphries Landscape Services Diane Hutchinson Walter’s Greenhouse Kim Iceton Somerville Nurseries Tom Intven Canadale Nurseries Ron Iserhot Vanden Bussche Irrigation Milton Joan Johnston Peter Knippel Nursery Kennedy Johnston Peter Knippel Nursery Sarah Johnston Greenlife Sean Jordan Nutrite William Jordan Urban Meadows Anthony Kampen Boot’s Landscaping and Maintenance Tim Kearney Garden Creations of Ottawa Kelly Keates Ginkgo Design Hella Keppo Stems Interior Landscaping Mark Kimmerly Allweather Landscape Ben Kobes Kobes Nurseries

Ron Koudys Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Tim Kraemer Future Lawn Michael LaPorte Clearview Nursery John Lamberink Aquality Irrigation and Illumination Marty Lamers Oaks Concrete Products

by Brampton Brick Janice Laurin Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Chris Le Conte Smart Watering Systems Serge Leclair Kam’s Growers Supply Jeffrey Lee Lee’s Landscaping Jennifer Llewellyn Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Brian Lofgren Horta-Craft Anthony Lombardi Dr. Landscape Jeff Lowartz CSL Group Arvils Lukss Landscapes By Lucin Glen Lumis University of Guelph Mike Lunau Clintar Landscape Management - London Cory MacCallum Greenscape Watering Systems Fran MacKenzie South Oakville Chrysler Fiat Steve Macartney Raintree Irrigation and Outdoor Systems Chris Mace Gelderman Landscape Services Brenda Maitland Second Nature Gardening John Mantel AVK Nursery Holdings Julien Marit Garden Wizard Brian Marsh Earth Art Landscapes Kevin Marshall Turf Pro Landscaping Ken Martin Copper Expressions Landscape Lighting and Design Michael Martins Kimmick Landscaping Teresa Matamoros Garden Holistics Pamela McCormick Simply Landscaping and Garden Designs Jim McCracken Hugh McCracken Limited o/a McCracken Landscape Design

2015 ANNUAL REPORT Darby McGrath Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Jeff McMann Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries Burke McNeill Don McQueen Nutri-Lawn - Burlington John Mcintosh Enviromasters Lawn Care Jim Melo Melo Landscaping Brian Mettel B&L Mettel Limited Norm Mills The Gardenin’ Guy Mike Miltenburg Turf Revolution Jim Monk Markham Property Services John Moons Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Fran Moore Clearview Nursery Chaz Morenz Gardens in the City Bruce Morton Greenscape Watering Systems Janet Mott Christine’s Touch Gardening Christopher Muller O.J. Muller Landscape Contractor Alphonse Murray Murray Enterprises Rob Naraj Sheridan Nurseries (Georgetown) Steve Neumann Algonquin College Roy Neves DJ Rain Paul Olsen Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Mark Ostrowski Laurel Forest Farms Nanthakumar Paramanathan Michael Pascoe Fanshawe College Brad Paton Shades of Summer Landscaping and Maintenance Warren Patterson Barrie Garden Centre Ken Pavely Lawn Life Natural Turf Products John Peets John Peets Landscaping Mike Pennington Lakeridge Contracting Brian Perras B.P. Landscaping and Snow Removal Jesse Perrin Green Things Landscaping 2010 (1893872 Ontario Ltd) Fred Persia Risk Approved

Frans Peters Humber Nurseries Frans JR Peters Humber Nurseries Carolyne Planck Unilock Limited Fred Post Garden Grove Landscaping Fred Prescod Plan It With Plants Sian Pritchard The Cutting Garden Paul Proulx Hunter Industries Bill Putzer M. Putzer Hornby Nursery John Putzer M. Putzer Hornby Nursery Tyler Rancourt Tydan Landscape Design Paul-Britman Rapai Fox Hollow Farms Lee Ratcliffe Dr Green Services Richard Reed Lawn Life Natural Turf Products Jamie Riddell SiteOne Landscape Supply Mike Riehm Envirobond Products Jay Rivait Top Grade Landscape and Garden Solutions Robert Roszell Road Equipment Links Gregg Salivan Salivan Landscape Joe Santarosa, Jr Santerra Stonecraft April Scarlett Urban Landscape Solutions Greg Scarlett Urban Landscape Solutions Stephen Schell The Plant Lady George Schellingerhoud Bright Lawn and Gardens Joel Schraven Pickering Nurseries Haig Seferian Seferian Design Group Brian Shelfoon Permacon Janice Shingler Sheridan Nurseries (Whitby) Gord Shuttleworth Delaware Nursery Blake Sicard UPI Energy LP Klaas Sikkema Mike Silva Platinum Stone Design Arthur Skolnik Shibui Landscaping Paul Snyders PGS Landscape

James Solecki Integra Bespoke Lighting Systems Nick Solty Solty and Sons Fred Somerville Somerville Nurseries Donna Speranzini Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jonas Spring Ecoman Christine Stein Crop Production Services (Canada), Evergro Division Karl Stensson Sheridan Nurseries (Georgetown) Laurie-Ann Stuart LA Gardens Ron Swentiski Trillium Associates Natnael Taera Landscape Irrigation Systems Donald Tellier Deerbrook Landscaping and Nursery Jay Terryberry St Clair College Robert Tester TNT Property Maintenance Marc Thiebaud OGS Grounds Maintenance Specialists Rene Thiebaud OGS Landscape Services Mike Thomas The Investment Guild Jeff Thompson Native Plant Source Kyle Tobin LawnSavers Plant Health Care Mike Travis Garden Wizard Tim Tripp Neudorff North America Rodger Tschanz University of Guelph Steve Tschanz Turf Management Systems/ Truly Nolen Bob Tubby Arbordale Landscaping David Turnbull David Turnbull and Associates Chris Urquhart Green Unlimited Christopher Utter Broadleaf Landscaping and Snow Removal Phil Van Alstyne Michael Van Dongen Van Dongen’s Landscaping and Nurseries Bill Van Ryn Jr Bill van Ryan Weed Control Jay VanGelder DenBok Landscaping and Design

Art Vanden Enden Sheridan Nurseries (Whitby) Neil Vanderkruk Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Peter Vanderley Vanderley Landscaping Mark Verbinnen Verbinnen’s Nursery Jason Vettese Best Way Stone Don Voorhees Noldus of Durham Mike Wardell Rural Roots Landscaping Mike Watson Kelly’s Tree Care Shane Way Potters Road Nursery Jeanine West PhytoServ Kerry Whale Allturf Alan White Turf Systems Robert Wilton Nick Winkelmolen Winkelmolen Nursery Dan Winstanley Marsh Canada Debbie Wood Cast-n-Stone Jarrett Woodard Grand River Brick and Stone David Wright Wright Landscape Services Andre Ypma Modern Earthscapes Land Design Alex Zalewski Parklane Nurseries Fiore Zenone Tumbleweed Landscape Contracting Youbin Zheng University of Guelph Harry de Vries Judy deBoer-Bell Treefrog Design Anna van Maris Parklane Nurseries Monica van Maris Van Maris Holdings

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 41

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015 BALANCE SHEET

2014 Audited Statements

2015 Audited Statements

345,973 1,380,691 40,893 1,993,657 770,248 22,444 57,645 580,462 1,243,947

347,479 10,439,164 91,606 2,310,036 625,198 14,962 57,645 0 598,194

Total Assets

6,435,959

14,484,285

Liabilities and Surplus Accounts Payable Accounts Payable-Sector Groups Accounts Payable-Chapters Accounts Payable-Special Projects Deferred Revenue Hort. Centre Improvement Fund Hort. Industry Development Fund Technology Fund Promotion Fund Legacy Fund Surplus-Members Equity Net Income

602,191 113,082 414,528 152,549 2,844,195 656,349 418,948 27,259 7,416 0 1,046,568 152,874

545,604 68,560 491,120 18,703 3,105,998 3,557,645 1,540,022 39,058 11,066 5,020,232 0 86,276

Total Liabilities and Surplus

6,435,959

14,484,285

Assets Cash Investments Accrued Interest Accounts Receivable Prepaid Expenses Capital Assets Land/Building-Vineland Land/Building-Steeles Ave Land/Building-Head Office

MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN 2015

FUND ALLOCATIONS

2014 Audited Statements

2015 Audited Statements

586,025 (167,077) 0 0 117,874 536,822

536,822 (72,748) 29,380 1,046,568 66,276 1,606,298

Horticultural Centre Improvement Fund Opening Balance Expenditures Revenues - Funding/Misc Transfer from (to) other Funds Transfer from Net Income Closing Balance

730,862 (74,513) 0 0 0 656,349

656,349 (43,369) 7,944,664 (5,000,000) 0 3,557,645

Technology Fund Opening Balance Expenditures Transfer from Net Income Closing Balance

49,079 (21,821) 20,000 47,259

47,259 (8,201) 0 39,058

Promotion Fund Opening Balance Expenditures Transfer from Net Income Closing Balance

24,916 (17,500) 15,000 22,416

22,416 (11,350) 20,000 31,066

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 20,232 5,000,000 0 5,020,232

Horticultural Industry Development Fund Opening Balance Expenditures Revenues - Funding/Misc Transfer from (to) other Funds Transfer from Net Income Closing Balance

Legacy Fund Opening Balance Expenditures Revenues - Funding/Misc Transfer from (to) other Funds Transfer from Net Income Closing Balance

ACTIVE (1639) - 68.3% ASSOCIATE (457) - 19.0% CHAPTER ASSOCIATE (101) - 4.2% HORTICULTURAL (187) - 7.8% INTERIM (17) - 0.7%

INCOME STATEMENT - DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY

Revenue General Membership Publications Congress Expo Education Total Revenue Expenses General Membership Publications Congress Expo Education Total Expenses Net Income (Loss)

42â&#x20AC;&#x192; 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2014 Audited Statements 263,024 1,098,107 827,460 2,070,843 401,428 262,644 4,923,507 2,399,787 660,847 227,125 1,067,314 249,411 166,148 4,770,632 152,874

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

311,371 252,400 1,153,111 1,100,000 893,869 860,000 2,046,835 1,998,040 325,948 364,000 253,484 250,000 4,984,617 4,824,440

2,437,262 2,363,500 728,567 682,646 233,886 238,250 1,091,790 1,095,345 269,226 297,550 137,610 142,000 4,898,341 4,819,291

86,276 5,149

2016 Revised Budgets

252,400 1,182,000 907,700 2,043,600 184,100 243,000 4,812,800

2,458,075 738,566 228,250 1,124,900 121,400 136,000 4,807,191

5,609

2017 Proposed Budgets 252,400 1,182,000 907,700 2,043,600 184,100 243,000 4,812,800 2,458,075 738,566 228,250 1,124,900 121,400 136,000 4,807,191 5,609

2015 ANNUAL REPORT LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015 INCOME STATEMENT, GENERAL

Revenue Rent Administration Fees Earned Interest Gains/Losses-Investments Information Technology/Web Fees Miscellaneous Total Revenue Administrative Expenses Property Taxes Telephone Hydro Heat Maintenance - Yard Maintenance - Building Office Supplies Office Equipment Computer Equip/Software Information Technology/Web Exps Postage Courier Audit Legal Fees Advertising Insurance Expenses Meeting Expenses Travel Dues and Subscriptions Donations Training (Staff) Miscellaneous Expenses Bank Charges and Interest (Gain) Loss on Foreign Exchange Total Expenses Compensation Wages Benefits Source Deductions Total Total Expenses Net Income (Loss) Wage Allocations Overhead Allocations Net Income (Loss) Net of Allocations

2014 Audited Statements 118,860 74,631 38,478 22,655 8,400 0 263,024 70,736 20,668 38,928 16,549 39,213 74,071 20,663 9,503 4,557 22,308 10,362 1,337 19,250 1,556 653 21,682 11,847 55,205 6,711 1,940 9,795 12,914 73,653 (3,037) 541,064 1,637,982 124,404 96,337 1,858,723 2,399,787 (2,136,763) 1,396,876 609,444 (130,443)

INCOME STATEMENT, EDUCATION

Revenue Special Projects Trade Courses Certification Total Revenue Expenses Special Projects Trade Courses Certification Promotion Foundation Scholarships Funding Total Expenses Net Income (Loss) Wage Allocations Overhead Allocations Net Income (Loss) Net of Allocations

2014 Audited Statements 25,172 207,217 30,255 262,644 17,330 106,408 25,261 5,149 12,000 166,148 96,496 (129,959) (76,181) (109,643)

2015 Audited Statements

115,801 74,745 47,544 64,038 8,400 843 311,371

84,876 20,231 47,224 18,497 38,523 83,143 21,479 6,746 8,913 22,001 10,196 1,129 19,500 2,326 1,808 19,443 16,503 58,013 8,493 705 1,878 13,020 72,002 (26,382) 550,265

77,500 20,000 38,000 19,000 40,000 60,000 18,000 8,000 5,000 22,000 8,000 3,000 18,000 2,000 500 22,000 12,000 58,000 7,000 1,000 4,000 8,000 72,000 2,500 525,500

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

108,000 108,000 74,000 74,000 60,000 60,000 1,000 1,000 8,400 8,400 1,000 1,000 252,400 252,400

77,000 77,000 21,000 21,000 44,000 44,000 20,000 20,000 40,000 40,000 65,000 65,000 21,000 21,000 10,000 10,000 6,000 6,000 22,000 22,000 10,000 10,000 1,500 1,500 20,000 20,000 2,500 2,500 500 500 22,000 22,000 16,000 16,000 60,000 60,000 8,000 8,000 1,000 1,000 4,000 4,000 10,000 10,000 75,000 75,000 (5,000) (5,000) 551,500 551,500

1,662,664 1,614,000 122,905 128,000 101,427 96,000 1,886,997 1,838,000

2,437,262 2,363,500 (2,125,891) (2,111,100) 1,452,037 619,678 (54,176)

1,687,575 1,687,575 121,000 121,000 98,000 98,000 1,906,575 1,906,575

2,458,075 2,458,075 (2,205,675) (2,205,675)

2015 Revised Budgets 117,000 75,000 50,000 1,000 8,400 1,000 252,400

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

21,000 18,000 222,689 205,000 9,795 27,000 253,484 250,000

1,111 5,000 101,380 100,000 17,802 20,000 5,318 5,000 12,000 12,000

137,610 142,000 115,874 108,000 (153,433) (77,460) (115,019)

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

15,000 15,000 218,000 218,000 10,000 10,000 243,000 243,000

5,000 5,000 104,000 104,000 10,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 12,000 12,000

136,000 136,000 107,000 107,000

2015 ANNUAL REPORTâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 43

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015

INCOME STATEMENT, PUBLISHING: LANDSCAPE TRADES MAGAZINE

Revenue Advertising Web Display Ads Polybag Classified Ads Subscriptions Member Subscriptions Total Revenue

2014 Audited Statements 582,972 4,020 38,908 4,198 1,916 44,000 676,014

Discounts Member Discounts Agency Discounts Total Discounts Gross Revenue

77,218 12,098 89,316 586,698

Expenses Printing Freelance Editorial Editorial Travel Sales Travel Mail Preparation Poly Bag Costs Postage (2nd Class) Postage (Foreign) Courier Charges Subscription Campaign Promotion/Media Kits Ccab Circulation Audit Miscellaneous Bad Debts Total Expenses

59,730 8,363 1,354 8,361 6,127 9,776 57,570 1,498 1,802 0 2,594 4,851 308 0 162,334

Net Income (Loss)

424,364

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

592,777 600,000 1,350 5,000 40,983 40,000 2,095 4,000 1,349 2,000 44,000 44,000 682,553 695,000

80,799 70,000 10,401 15,000 91,199 85,000 591,354 610,000

53,211 52,000 12,456 12,000 987 3,000 12,006 14,000 2,280 9,000 11,039 9,000 58,113 55,000 2,999 1,500 3,021 1,000 1,258 1,000 3,069 2,000 8,256 5,000 103 500 0 2,000 168,799 167,000 422,555

443,000

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

610,000 610,000 3,000 3,000 35,000 35,000 3,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 44,000 44,000 697,000 697,000

70,000 70,000 15,000 15,000 85,000 85,000 612,000 612,000

47,000 47,000 12,000 12,000 2,000 2,000 12,000 12,000 7,500 7,500 10,000 10,000 59,000 59,000 1,500 1,500 2,500 2,500 0 0 1,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 500 500 1,000 1,000 161,000 161,000 451,000

451,000

INCOME STATEMENT, PUBLISHING: LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MAGAZINE

Revenue Advertising Polybag Classified Ads Web Classsified Ads Enews Ads Subscriptions Member Subscriptions Total Revenue Discounts Member Discounts Agency Discounts Total Discounts Gross Revenue Expenses Printing Editorial Travel Mail Preparations Polybag Costs Postage Miscellaneous Bad Debts Total Expenses Net Income (Loss)

44â&#x20AC;&#x192; 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2014 Audited Statements 144,915 7,854 5,721 18,608 1,750 77 44,000 222,925 25,478 585 26,063 196,862 21,463 1,369 5,402 2,400 17,647 590 0 48,870 147,992

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

191,683 152,000 15,621 8,500 3,549 5,000 20,500 15,000 15,200 6,000 39 0 44,000 44,000 290,591 230,500

31,316 25,000 1,618 500 32,934 25,500 257,657 205,000

22,334 25,000 2,086 1,000 3,025 7,000 4,556 3,500 17,181 18,000 100 250 0 500 49,282 55,250

208,375 149,750

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

190,000 190,000 10,000 10,000 4,500 4,500 17,000 17,000 11,000 11,000 0 0 44,000 44,000 276,500 276,500

26,000 800 26,800 249,700

24,000 1,000 4,000 3,500 18,000 250 500 51,250

198,450

26,000 800 26,800 249,700 24,000 1,000 4,000 3,500 18,000 250 500 51,250 198,450

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015 PUBLISHING, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Revenue Expenses Net Income (Loss)

PUBLISHING, SUMMARY

2014 Audited Statements

43,900 15,920 27,980

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

44,859 45,000 15,806 16,000 29,053 29,000

2014 Audited Statements

Net Income (Loss) - Publishing Department 600,335 Wage Allocations (494,674) Overhead Allocations (114,271) Net Income (Loss) Net of Allocations (8,610)

2015 Audited Statements

659,983 (504,399) (116,190) 39,394

INCOME STATEMENT, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Revenue Membership Dues Awards of Excellence Merchandise Referral Fees Total Revenue Expenses General CNLA Membership Dues Member Subscriptions Awards of Excellence Membership Plaques Annual Report Merchandise Membership Campaign Membership Booth Promotion - Members Promotion - Canada Blooms Promotion - Gfl/Branding Total Expenses Chapters and Sector Groups Windsor London Golden Horseshoe Waterloo Ottawa Toronto Georgian Lakelands Durham Upper Canada Growers Lawn Care Garden Centre Landscape Contractors Grounds Maintenance Designers Irrigation Interiorscape Snow and Ice Landscape Lighting Total Chapter and Sector Groups Total Expenses Net Income (Loss) Wage Allocations Overhead Allocations Net Income (Loss) Net of Allocations

2014 Audited Statements 1,004,483 66,545 5,408 21,671 1,098,107

294,544 88,000 97,686 6,994 1,894 0 0 9,312 11,136 49,263 11,750 570,579 4,640 8,728 9,666 9,438 9,136 10,864 8,536 8,776 5,040 2,774 5,753 235 1,055 2,138 1,392 (1,242) 1,548 538 1,253 90,268 660,847 437,260 (436,610) (152,361) (151,712)

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

1,063,993 1,010,000 62,102 65,000 3,730 5,000 23,285 20,000 1,153,111 1,100,000

308,559 295,000 88,000 88,000 104,797 95,000 6,608 7,000 2,208 2,000 3,800 2,000 0 5,000 15,449 12,000 28,497 15,000 76,249 45,000 9,750 11,500 643,917 577,500

4,760 4,760 8,536 8,536 9,686 9,686 9,434 9,434 9,016 9,016 10,802 10,802 9,232 9,232 8,800 8,800 4,880 4,880 2,855 3,000 719 3,000 85 3,000 1,431 3,000 183 3,000 1,576 3,000 (904) 3,000 2,633 3,000 562 3,000 364 3,000 84,650 105,146

728,567 682,646 424,544 417,354 (409,410) (154,920) (139,785)

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets 46,000 16,000 30,000

46,000 16,000 30,000

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

1,090,000 1,090,000 62,000 62,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 25,000 1,182,000 1,182,000

320,000 320,000 88,000 88,000 99,850 99,850 8,000 8,000 2,500 2,500 3,000 3,000 0 0 16,000 16,000 25,000 25,000 45,000 45,000 25,000 25,000 632,350 632,350

5,000 8,368 9,706 9,442 9,184 10,914 9,434 9,088 5,080 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 106,216

738,566 443,434

5,000 8,368 9,706 9,442 9,184 10,914 9,434 9,088 5,080 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 106,216 738,566 443,434

2015 ANNUAL REPORTâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 45

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015 INCOME STATEMENT, CONGRESS

2014 Audited Statements

Revenue Exhibit Space Exhibit Space - Partners Registration Sponsorship Miscellaneous Total Revenue

2,040,477 79,625 122,669 27,824 4,658 2,275,253

Discounts Member Discounts Member Discounts - Partners Total Discounts Gross Revenue

197,710 6,700 204,410 2,070,843

Expenses Exhibit Hall Security Show Services Feature Area Garden Subsidy Speakers Conferences - F&B Registration Services Audio Visual Equipment Receptions Printing Promotion Public Relations Services Advertising Photography Flowers Insurance Move In/Move Out Snow Removal Travel Parking Police Postage Janitorial Software Labour Commissions-Partners Miscellaneous Total Expenses

394,966 25,947 106,180 3,500 14,875 27,943 23,110 34,684 18,393 47,166 23,328 5,642 9,120 42,728 1,800 1,334 5,881 109,218 0 43,594 12,900 1,785 24,540 53,255 8,568 2,836 16,660 7,361 1,067,314

Net Income (Loss)

1,003,529

2015 2015 Audited Revised Statements Budgets

2,021,659 1,994,000 72,863 60,940 124,225 125,000 37,375 30,000 3,505 2,000 2,259,626 2,211,940

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

2,016,000 2,016,000 68,500 68,500 125,000 125,000 45,000 45,000 3,000 3,000 2,257,500 2,257,500

206,791 205,000 6,000 8,900 212,791 213,900 2,046,835 1,998,040

417,927 409,545 27,141 28,000 112,746 113,300 3,500 3,500 14,500 14,000 33,722 35,000 27,713 29,000 38,683 36,500 17,694 22,000 46,849 33,000 20,451 30,000 5,990 8,000 0 0 31,618 32,000 1,950 3,500 1,009 1,000 5,881 6,000 108,864 114,000 0 10,000 52,936 40,000 13,545 13,700 2,121 2,000 19,621 25,900 55,900 51,500 9,378 8,600 1,840 5,000 15,008 14,300 5,207 6,000 1,091,790 1,095,345

207,000 207,000 6,900 6,900 213,900 213,900 2,043,600 2,043,600

429,500 429,500 28,000 28,000 115,300 115,300 3,500 3,500 14,000 14,000 35,000 35,000 29,000 29,000 40,000 40,000 22,000 22,000 39,500 39,500 26,300 26,300 8,000 8,000 0 0 32,000 32,000 3,500 3,500 1,000 1,000 6,000 6,000 117,000 117,000 0 0 44,000 44,000 13,800 13,800 2,200 2,200 22,700 22,700 57,500 57,500 9,500 9,500 5,000 5,000 14,600 14,600 6,000 6,000 1,124,900 1,124,900

955,044

902,695

918,700

918,700

INVESTMENTS

Res H&R Real Estate Coupon Res BC Telephone Res Fairfax Financial Res Transalta Utilities Res Fairfax Financial Res Transalta Utilities Res Transalta Utilities Bank of Nova Scotia GIC Bank of Nova Scotia GIC Bank of Nova Scotia GIC Bank of Nova Scotia GIC Halton Ont. Reg. Mun. Ontario Savings Bond

Maturity Rate of Opening Value Purchases Disposals/ Gain/Loss Realized Accrued Closing Value Market Date Return At Cost At Cost Maturities Disposals Interest On Interest At Cost Value

Sept. 1/14 Disposals Aug. 31/15 Aug. 31/15 Aug. 31/15

Mar 2, 2020 3.64% 131,798 0 131,798 6,956 Jun 19, 2021 3.94 % 449,999 449,999 37,450 Aug19, 2019 4.18 % 300,009 300,009 19,631 Nov 18, 2019 4.03 % 478,883 27,990 478,883 497,083 Oct 14, 2022 4.26 %

450,000 16,491 450,000 458,854 Nov25, 2020 3.76 %

503,241 9,020 503,241 464,641 Nov 25, 2020 3.62 %

146,058 2,390 146,058 131,053 Jun 8, 2017 1.70 % 2,000,000 7,825 2,000,000 2,007,824 Jun 8, 2018 1.80 % 2,000,000 8,285 2,000,000 2,008,284 Jun8, 2019 2.05 % 1,650,000 7,784 1,650,000 1,657,785 Jun 8, 2020 2.27 % 1,650,000 8,620 1,650,000 1,658,620 Apr 6, 2019 1.51 %

525,982 1,763 525,982 525,926 Jun 21, 2020 .75 % 1,000,000 1,438 1,000,000 1,001,459

Royal Bank GIC Royal Bank GIC Cash Position

Nov 17, 2014 Nov 17, 2015

(.75% ,.9% ,1.05% ,1.2% ,1.35% int rate/yr)

Totals

46â&#x20AC;&#x192; 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

1.30 % 1.30 %

20,000 20,000 261

35,000 0 35,000 2 2 0 1,380,691

9,960,280

901,807

64,038

261

91,606

10,439,164

0 35,000 0 10,446,529

2015 ANNUAL REPORT LANDSCAPE ONTARIO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015 INCOME STATEMENT, EXPO

2014 Audited Statements

Revenue Exhibit Space Registration Sponsorship Miscellaneous Total Revenue

409,567 6,087 4,500 150 420,303

Discounts Member Discounts Total Discounts Gross Revenue

18,875 18,875 401,428

Expenses Exhibit Hall Security Show Services Registration Services Printing Promotion Public Relations Services Advertising Photography Move In/Move Out Travel Parking Receptions Postage Janitorial Software Miscellaneous Total Expenses

75,783 11,308 46,635 9,653 5,159 9,656 6,750 17,388 800 20,506 12,577 5,950 3,898 5,211 10,000 6,859 1,277 249,411

Net Income (Loss)

152,018

TRADESHOWS, SUMMARY 2014 Audited Statements

Net Income (Loss) - Tradeshow Department 1,155,547 Wage Allocations (335,632) Overhead Allocations (266,632) Net Income (Loss) Net of Allocations 553,283

2015 Revised Budgets 375,000 4,000 5,000 0 384,000

17,255 20,000 17,255 20,000 325,948 364,000

109,058 107,000 11,536 12,200 47,178 50,000 9,854 12,200 6,951 8,400 1,097 10,000 6,750 0 18,496 20,000 0 1,000 18,012 25,000 7,375 13,750 6,250 6,000 4,656 6,000 2,927 6,800 10,500 10,200 7,303 7,000 1,283 2,000 269,226 297,550

56,722 66,450

2016 2017 Revised Proposed Budgets Budgets

190,000 190,000 2,000 2,000 15,000 15,000 100 100 207,100 207,100

23,000 23,000 184,100

26,000 3,700 9,500 5,000 5,700 3,000 0 14,000 1,000 7,500 7,000 2,000 30,000 3,000 2,500 0 1,500 121,400

62,700

2015 Audited Statements

1,011,766 (384,795) (271,109) 355,862

23,000 23,000 184,100 26,000 3,700 9,500 5,000 5,700 3,000 0 14,000 1,000 7,500 7,000 2,000 30,000 3,000 2,500 0 1,500 121,400 62,700

MEMBERSHIP COUNT 2005-2015 EXCLUDING HORT MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP COUNT 2005-2015, ALL MEMBERS

2015 Audited Statements

334,452 5,650 2,928 173 343,203

FISCAL YEAR

FISCAL YEAR

2015 ANNUAL REPORTâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 47

Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation

2015 Annual Report

MANDATE

“To ensure a healthy future for the horticultural industry”

48 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 2012ANNUAL AnnualREPORT Report

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 through interest generated on capital investments.

Officers and Directors John Wright Monica van Maris Brian Cocks Hank Gelderman Bob Allen Tony DiGiovanni Ben Kobes Mark Ostrowski John Peets Mike Thomas David Turnbull Neil Vanderkruk Robert Wilton

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director

Legacy Room

At Congress 2015, the Foundation hosted The Legacy Lounge for the pioneers of the industry and the LO members. Approximately 25 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. The industry thanks the pioneers for their continued support and contribution.

This year, the Foundation invited the Chapter boards and industry sector groups — approximately 65 members visited the lounge. The lounge was a friendly spot to sit, relax, talk with others and enjoy refreshments.

The Foundation would like to thank the following companies that sponsored the Legacy Lounge.

Supporting the Foundation

The Foundation would like to thank donors. A donation is an easy and effective way to benefit Ontario’s horticultural community and is tax-deductible.

How to support the Foundation The Foundation developed a new information brochure Support the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

With a donation to the Foundation, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are “making a difference and leaving a legacy” for the industry that you love.

You can support the foundation by:

Sponsorship: Join the Foundation by making a pledge — an annual donation or a one-time gift.

Memorial Gift: This is a meaningful way to honour a friend, loved one or professional contact and help support the industry.

Legacy Gift: Earmark funds through your estate to sustain the horticulture industry. Contact your estate planner or lawyer to include this legacy provision in your will.

Stewardship Program: Many Foundation sponsors share their expertise by speaking to groups and direct their honorariums to the Foundation.

Scholarship Program

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. A list of the scholarships can be found on the website ohtf.ca. A new Horticultural Scholarship Opportunities brochure was developed this year listing all the available scholarships. This brochure was distributed to all postsecondary and secondary schools The scholarship program has grown with new individual scholarships available: Bob and Ruby Allen Scholarship Fund Russel and Karen Loney Fund Peter Olsen Memorial Fund O.J. Muller Memorial Fund Unilock/Landscape Designers Fund Crystal Lawn Care Scholarship Fund One major scholarship program is the new Cullen Family Scholarship with a distribution of approximately $30,000 per year. This scholarship program was designed to encourage and inspire leadership qualities in students who have a passion and enthusiasm for the 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 49

landscape horticulture industry. Candidates are selected by their peers and teachers. Individual amounts were assigned to each school offering horticultural programs.

This year, we distributed $73,500 in scholarships to students enrolled in horticultural programs across the province.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients Casey van Maris Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Laura Mclean Ridgetown College Russell and Karen Loney Scholarship ($500) Sai Sai Kong Humber College Unilock Collaborative Communications Scholarship ($1,000) Brianna Collis University of Guelph Horst Dickert Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Corina Ottnad Humber College John and Ruth Wright Turf Management Scholarship ($2,000) Dylan Harding University of Guelph Graduate Research Assistant Program ($6,000) Tyson Jennett University of Guelph Tony DiGiovanni Scholarship ($1,000) Kira Burger Kemptville College/ University of Guelph High School Program Scholarship ($1,000) Macormick Foulds Niagara College Mark Lappan Humber College Brittany Musseau-Drover Durham College Cole Rix-Littley Fanshawe College Samantha Robertson Niagara College Post Graduate Scholarship ($1,000) Amy Purvis University of Guelph Ben Stormes Cornell University Horticulturist Scholarship ($500) Wayne Lewington Mohawk College Elena Dunham Fanshawe College Joseph Greenspon Algonquin College Jasdeep Heer Humber College Christine Keller Humber College Rana Azizi Soldouz Seneca College

50 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Post-Secondary Scholarship ($1,000) Nicholas Albanese Humber College Melissa Alexander Seneca College Heather Bailey Fanshawe College Joanne Bowers Seneca College Zhenwei De Seneca College Seth Duncan Humber College Ioannis Eliopoulos Humber College Jessica Goncalo Humber College Denise Hostrawser Niagara College Yu Yeun, Jung Seneca College Hye-Ran Kim Seneca College Mei Jin Lin Seneca College Thomas Lombardi Humber College Joshua Medeiros Fanshawe College Nicole Moon Niagara College Althea Reid Fanshawe College Kathleen Stevens Fanshawe College Wei Wang Niagara College Emily Weber Fanshawe College Shane Williams Seneca College Miriam Elsworthy Niagara Parks Brad Taub Humber College Cullen Family Scholarship Program ($2,000) Scott Cafarella University of Guelph (Landscape Architect degree) Taylor Parks Niagara Parks (Horticultural diploma) Yujing Ma Fanshawe College (Horticultural Technician Diploma) Kevin Kosempel St. Clair College (Horticultural Technician Diploma) Kevin Gascoigne Algonquin College (Horticultural Industries Diploma) Heather Mackay Humber College (Landscape Technician Diploma) Erik Murray Seneca College (Environmental Landscape Diploma) Anna Hynd Niagara College (Horticultural Technician Diploma) Sarah Cudmore Ridgetown College

(Associate Diploma in Horticulture) August Bergermann Mohawk College (Apprenticeship – Hort Technician) Joshua Salverda Mohawk College (Apprenticeship – Hort Technician) Jordan Morgan Niagara Parks

2015 2012ANNUAL AnnualREPORT Report Research Programs

The Foundation has also contributed to numerous research programs. In 2014 – 2015 fiscal year, Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation contributed to the following projects: • OTRF ($5,000) — Integration of tools and turf species to promote sustainability in residential lawns.

• University of Laval ($5,000) Impact of turfgrass fertilization on nutrient losses through runoff and leaching

Other Programs Receiving Foundation Funds • V ineland Research — Funding of new research chair position to assist industry.

• S kills Canada — Ontario Skills Canada competition awards for horticultural sector.

• Trees for Life (TFL) — New fund started to achieve goal of TFL to achieve 40 per cent urban tree cover.

Part of the TFL program is the Highway for Heroes — planting of trees for veterans from Trenton to Toronto on the 401.

• 1 0,000 Trees for Rouge Fund.

• J T Somerville Fund — Christmas tree industry

OHTF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FUND BALANCES

2014 General Fund Dunington-Grubb/Sheridan Nurseries Research Fund Growers’ Group Research Fund Ottawa Chapter Val Kirshner Scholarship Fund Scholarship Fund Casey van Maris Scholarship Fund IPM Symposium Research Fund Turf Research Fund Tony DiGiovanni Scholarship Fund John/Ruth Wright Scholarship Fund Horst Dickert Scholarship Fund J T Somerville Fund Trees For Life Fund Unilock/Designers Grp Fund 10K Trees for the Rouge Fund

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Year End Year End Year End Aug. 31, 2015 Aug. 31, ASSETS Aug. 31, 2015

Current $5,854 $5,353 Bank $113,954

Accounts Receivable $17,225 $131,179 $251,205 $255,693

Long Term Investments $1,145,415 $383,642 $376,716 Investment-Vineland Consortium $57,711

Investment-Steeles Ave Property $0 Accrued Interest Receivable $53,776 $64,644 $62,488

$1,256,902 $80,136 $82,355

Total Assets $1,388,081 $33,235 $31,148

LIABILITIES Current $202,525 $202,619 Accounts Payable and Accrued Charges $3,277

$6,688 $16,250 Accumulated Fund Balances

Fund Balances $1,384,804 $99,793 $96,954

Total Liabilities/Funds $1,388,081

$9,616

$0

Cullen Family Fund

$6,074

$0

Crystal Lawn Care Fund Peter Olsen Fund OJ Muller Fund Waterloo Chapter Scholarship Fund Totals

$116,794 $0 $116,794 $1,097,016 $57,711 $581 $43,366 $1,198,674 $1,315,468

$27,937 $1,287,530 $1,315,468

$36,184 $37,556

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS & FUND BALANCES

$3,685 $4,541 Year End Year End

August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 $12,748 $10,507

REVENUES $20,916 $32,250 Interest/Gains (Losses) $58,810 $51,752

Miscellaneous $395 $980 $10,123 $0 Research Grants $1,420 $93,780 Donations $382,091 $261,616 $33,044 $0

Russel/Karen Loney Fund

Robert/Ruby Allen Fund

Year End Aug. 31, 2014

Total Revenue

EXPENSES $20,580 $10,109 Administration Fees/Exps

Disbursed as Research Grants $2,025 $0 Event/Sponsorship Exps Disbursed as Scholarships $25,300 $0 $8,584

$0

Total Expenses

Excess of Revenue Over Expenses $68,204 $62,993 Fund Balances, Beginning of Year

Fund Balances,Year End $1,384,804 $1,287,530

$442,716

$408,128

$94,623 $30,000 $147,319 $73,500

$30,213 $83,000 $156,507 $23,000

$345,443

$292,720

$97,273 $1,287,530 $1,384,804

$115,408 $1,172,122 $1,287,530

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 51

NEW MEMBERS GEORGIAN LAKELANDS Advantage Grounds Care Peter Weel 12299 County Road 10 Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Tel: 705-716-5067 Membership Type: Active

Henry Sikkema 205235 County Rd. 109 Amaranth, ON L9W 0T8 Tel: 519-278-8498 Membership Type: Active

Maple Leaves Forever

Partners Snow Ice Solutions Inc. Grant Fisher 2 - 69 Saunders Rd Barrie, ON L4N 9A7 Tel: 705-728-3108 Membership Type: Interim

Emad Ali Membership Type: Horticultural

Polar Snowplowing and Landscaping Bert Vanderhoef 2393 Wadding Cres Mississauga, ON L5K 1Z4 Tel: 905-403-0141 Membership Type: Active

Barrie Recreation

Steve St Onge 65 Hart Dr Barrie, ON L4N 5M3 Tel: 705-733-2280 Membership Type: Associate

ProTouch Landscape Inc

On Site Management Inc.

Michael Black 208 Ontario St PO Box 758 Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Tel: 705-716-3896 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

GOLDEN HORSESHOE Lake Erie Property Maintenance Ltd Craig Workman 91 Tennessee Ave. Port Colborne, ON L3K 2R8 Tel: 905-835-2639 Membership Type: Active

Heather Miller 9620 McCowan Rd Markham, ON L3P 0B7 Tel: 416-876-5296 Membership Type: Active

Quality Property Services Stefano Galluzzo 69 Steppingstone 9940 Ninth Line Markham, ON L6B 1A8 Tel: 416-888-8681 Membership Type: Active

Select Lawn Care

Blake Sewell 4 Sunplains Cres Etobicoke, ON M9C 1M3 Tel: 416-621-7038 Membership Type: Active

Stevensville Lawn Service Inc

VersaFlex Incorporated

Terry Tykolis 2821 Stevensville Rd Stevensville, ON L0S 1S0 Tel: 905-382-3536 Membership Type: Active

Doug Commette 686 South Adams St Kansas City, KS 66105 Tel: 913-321-9000 Membership Type: Associate

OTTAWA

WM. Petrie & Sons Contracting Ltd.

MultiOne Equipment Canada

experience perennial Beauty @ www.millgroveperennials.ca

Land Escapes

Alan Martel 11 Precision Road Kemptville, ON K0A 2T0 Tel: 613-915-7840-xAlan Membership Type: Associate

Wayne Parsons 740 Weller Court Unit D Oakville, ON L6K 3S9 Tel: 905-338-3444 Membership Type: Associate

TORONTO

WATERLOO

Barnes Landscaping Ltd

Punt Installation Ltd

Michael Barnes 102 Aura Lea Blvd.

Toronto, ON M9M 1K5 Tel: 416-748-3375 Membership Type: Active

Steven Punter 1100 Powerline Rd RR 3 Paris, ON N3L 3E3 Tel: 519-458-4588 Membership Type: Associate

Keep in touch with LANDSCAPE

534 5th Concession W Millgrove, Ontario info@millgroveperennials.ca T: 905.689.1749 TF: 1.866.689.6222 F: 1.888.867.1925 52â&#x20AC;&#x192; LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

ONTARIO

Join our discussion forum

http://linked.in/LOLinkedIn

www.facebook.com/ landscapeontario

@LOassocMag @LOMembership @TonyDiGiovanni1 @denisflanagan @green_for_life @LOevents @LOgnome

January 12-14, 2016

Don’t miss these Keynote Speakers!

Why Natural Playgrounds and Getting Past the Grown-Ups!

Active Design

Monday January 11 presented by HAIG SEFERIAN OALA, CSLA, FASLA, CLD, LO AND BRAD SMITH OALA, CSLA, ASLA

Monday January 11 presented by

Lessons Learned from Growing Turf Indoors Monday January 11 presented by ERIC LYONS PhD

ADAM BIENENSTOCK MBA

Balancing Life... with Humour!

Tuesday January 12 presented by KATE DAVIS

Strengthening Women in Horticulture

Tuesday January 12 Special event keynote presented by ELIZABETH MILLS

Disney’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: Horticulture Takes Centre Stage

Kiss Your Customer!

Why Sales and Service are Just Like Dating and Relationships

ERIC DARDEN

ANDY MASTERS MA, CSP

Wednesday January 13 presented by

Thursday January 14 presented by

Register now at

LOCongress.com

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 53

BRAUN CONTINUOUS WIRE BASKETS

BETTER DESIGN BETTER WIRE BETTER FIT

EVENTS Bookmark horttrades.com/comingevents for up-to-date event information.

January 11

IPM Symposium

Toronto Congress Centre, Cohen Ballroom IPM Symposium is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Toronto Congress Centre, Cohen Ballroom 650 Dixon Road. Held in conjunction with Congress Trade Show and Conference, attendees will qualify for IPM Council of Canada CECs. January 11

Landscape Designer Conference

International Plaza Hotel, International Ballroom, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto The Landscape Designer Conference is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

January 12 - 14

Congress Trade Show and Conference

Toronto Congress Centre 650 Dixon Road, Toronto Congress is the ideal place to kick of 2016 and find new products, ideas, equipment, tools, services and connections for your business to grow and prosper. For more information please visit LOcongress.com.

January 12

WWW.BRAUNGROUP.COM 1-800-246-6984

Awards of Excellence Ceremony

International Plaza Hotel, Plaza Ballroom, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto Awards of Excellence Ceremony is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Find out who won the 2016 Construction, Maintenance and Design Awards. For more information, go to LOcongress.com.

Our Great Lakes Premium Coloured Mulches bring an exciting new aesthetic dimension to any garden or landscape project. Our Premium mulches are made from recycled clean wood mixture, which is hand sorted, double ground and screened to ensure product consistency and superior water absorption.

Recycled Premium Mulches

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Our Great Lakes Premium Mulch is the ONLY one with the Advantage and a organic mould resistance additive to ensure your mulch retains longevity.

TimeFlow H2O takes the natural water retention quality of wood mulch to and even higher level.

VISIT US AT THE UPCOMING CONGRESS SHOW – BOOTH 2634

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Manufactured locally in St. Thomas and Campbellville 144798 Potters Road, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4G7

To locate a distributor in your area, or become a distributor of Great Lakes Premium Barks and Mulches, call us at 1-877-266-0636.

For full products details, visit us at www.glwp.ca 54 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

P: 519-688-0437 • F: 519-688-6359 info@pottersroadnursery.com

Pottersroadnursery.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Health and safety training has new requirements Ontario’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) has just announced new certification training requirements for joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members that come into effect Mar. 1, 2016.

If your business has 20 or more employees, there are four changes that most impact you: • JHSC members who achieve certification status after Mar. 1, 2016 will require refresher training every three years to maintain their status • Parts one and two, as well as refresher training, must be taken from a MOL approved trainer • Both parts must be completed within six months of each other • Training must include interaction with an instructor, and consist of a minimum of five days: three for part one; two for part two.

Refresher training is an additional day

MINISTRY OF LABOUR LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK

Every year, the Ministry of Labour consults with the public on a variety of topics, including proposed legislative amendments, implementation of new programs/services and strategic discussions on how the system can focus its efforts to reduce occupational illness and injury in Ontario.

Since 2008, the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Health and Safety Branch and Regions have been meeting with the public to obtain feedback and insights on how it can improve its enforcement efforts.

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions or if you have any questions, email the ministry at SAWOConsultations@Ontario.ca.

josh.sparks@expresswaytrucks.com

www.expresswaytrucks.com Expressway Trucks Windsor 3817 Essex Rd 46, Maidstone, ON. N0R 1K0

Stam Nurseries Inc.

If you have JHSC members who require certification training, don’t put it off. Ministry inspectors will continue checking on compliance during workplaces visits and inspections.

Any JHSC members certified before Mar. 1, 2016 are certified for life. They won’t need retraining unless they switch industry sectors. They also won’t need refresher training.

Self-paced training via print based workbooks and e-courses will not be available after Jan. 31, 2016, due to requirements set out in the new standards.

Workplaces cannot conduct their own in-house certification training unless they apply through the MOL to become an approved training provider of an approved JHSC Certification Training program.

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) is available to assist with certification training needs. After Mar. 1, WSPS will continue to offer certification training in classrooms.

Learn more about the new requirements by contacting WSPS Customer Care, at 1-877-494- 9777, ext. 0.

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www.stamnurseries.com WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 55

EXECUTIVE DESK Proud of Landscape Ontario innovators Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

T

A Growing Tradition

echnology and the sharing economy are changing the landscape.

I have been thinking lately about the tension between co-operation and competition. Landscape Ontario is in the cooperation and connection business, yet I am frequently in meetings full of competitors who have chosen to co-operate in order to make themselves more competitive. Sounds confusing, but it really isn’t.

On the other hand, competition is a great way to stimulate growth and success. We see this on TV shows such as American Idol. The phenomenal growth of the show from one week to the next is based on being in a competitive environment. The best part is that competition is tempered with coaching and support even from the

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competitors themselves. In a sense, competitors are co-operating. They coach and wish each other well and in return there is growth for everybody. The math works. There is no downside in wishing your competitors well, as long as the competition is fair and everyone benefits.

I have often described Landscape Ontario as a “club for mutual benefit and improvement.” Competition can be intense between members, but the result is that everyone gets better, as long as competition is based on mutual benefit, improvement and sharing. It only works if you believe there is abundance of opportunity. We are fortunate that so many in our membership believe this.

Co-operation leads to profound economic, educational and social benefit. In recent years, technological connectivity has lead to accelerated co-operation between individuals across the globe. You can easily learn anything using YouTube and Wikipedia. This phenomenon has been labeled the ‘sharing economy’ and its effects can be disruptive or amazingly positive, depending on the motivation.

Connectivity will change the landscape. How we respond will determine if the connectivity is disruptive or constructive.

There are a number of innovative technological programs emerging in the landscape and horticulture industry. For some reason, Landscape Ontario members are leading the field. Their programs and ideas are changing the industry for the better. In many ways they are performing the connection, mutual benefit, sharing and co-operative functions traditionally offered exclusively by associations.

Warren Patterson has developed a program called Linkgreen linkgreen.ca. It connects suppliers and buyers through an online portal.

Eric Gordon has developed landscape.jobs, connecting employers with employees.

Jay Murray introduced LStraining to the market. It is revolutionizing the way the industry delivers education and compliance information. Find it at lstraining.com.

Ben Zlotnick is introducing Eden. Please see edenapp.com.

Essentially it is Uber for landscapes. Eden is an on-demand application for residential clients and for simple operations such as grass cutting and snow removal. The price is set by the app-based on consultation with the industry. Payment is made directly to the contractor’s bank account, one hour after the service is performed.

Mike Bosch introduced custom landscape design software Dynascape dynascape.com as well as software that assists companies manage their businesses.

Mark Bradley introduced Landscape Management Network to the market golmn.com, and has helped thousands of industry members across the world operate more professionally.

Kevin Forestell introduced Dozr dozr.com. It is a tool that encourages the rental of equipment among members of the industry.

I am proud of the fact that all of these innovators are Landscape Ontario members.

The sharing economy will bring huge benefits and opportunity.

On behalf of your staff at Landscape Ontario, we wish you a healthy and prosperous 2016.

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tony@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS All Chapters on the same page

By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of Public Relations and Membership Services

N

ovember was an extremely busy month for Chapter meetings, as members start to gear-up and plan for a winter season that promises to be crammed full of educational sessions, member events and holiday socials.

Your staff at Milton try to attend as many Chapter meetings and events as possible. I went on a road trip during the month and covered five Chapters: Durham, Golden Horseshoe, Toronto, Ottawa and Upper Canada.

Although Chapters often have their own dynamics, goals and individual programs, it occurred to me that there were some strong themes and similarities that surfaced at the five meetings I attended.

I saw a powerful mix of members.

Many Chapter boards have experienced a changeover in board members during the last year. Although it’s encouraging to see new young members coming to the table with energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas, it’s wonderful to see some long-standing members still willing to contribute ideas and support at the meetings.

Many of these members have years of experience at the Chapter level, the pro-

vincial board level and in some cases on a national level. When all parties are willing to discuss ideas with open minds, it becomes a very powerful and positive force, with the common goal being how to grow and benefit our membership.

Whenever there are separate groups, whether it is in business, politics or sport, there will always be a competitive nature to many aspects of a group’s activities.

This can serve as a great motivator and add fun and creativity to meetings and projects. Certainly Chapters can have a competitive nature to them, be it developing unique projects, recording attendance numbers at events, or vying for media coverage. Although this fun sense of competition is fantastic for local pride and team spirit, it has more value when the success is shared.

The sports analogy is a good one. A player can compete at the club level, but when selected to play for the national side, the player takes on a new sense of owner-

ship and pride. At all chapter meetings, I see the desire to be part of the big picture, to share ideas and contribute to the provincial LO team with the common goal being how to grow and benefit our membership.

Discussion about the future was a common element at all five chapters I visited.

Some talked about the commitment to connect with the younger generation. Golden Horseshoe Chapter is planning to expand its outreach to re-connect with the colleges in the Niagara area. Toronto Chapter held its meeting at Humber College with a fantastic networking exercise between members and students. The same format was used by Ottawa Chapter during its meeting at Algonquin College. And, at the Upper Canada Chapter meeting, there was amazing interest and support for the Come Alive Outside movement, while at the Durham Chapter meeting there was an update from the Chapter’s student rep and faculty from Durham College.

I know the same enthusiasm, commitment and collective goals are evident at our other Chapters in Windsor, London and Georgian Lakelands. I am looking forward to attending and reporting back from their meetings in the coming weeks.

Contact Denis Flanagan at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.

Ottawa Chapter holds a networking meeting with Algonquin College students.

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MEMBERSHIP Members tell why they joined LO

By Rachel Cerelli Membership and Chapter Coordinator

T

here are many reasons why industry professionals join Landscape Ontario.

The past few months the LO membership department has been working hard collecting exciting data on long-standing members of Landscape Ontario. In the 10 -19 year category, there are 519 companies, while the 20-24 year memberships show 324 companies, and for the 25-49 year memberships, we have 212 companies. There are three companies who are 50-plus years as members of the industry association.

Isn’t that astounding? There are so many of you who have diligently and passionately worked for many years in this industry. You worked to make a living, while creating jobs, bettering people’s lives and health through creating beautiful and efficient uses of outdoor spaces.

If we look back at the number of members, we ask, why did these members join LO? How have they benefited from being members? Let’s hear from a few of them on what they have to say.

B.K. Baun Landscape, Ajax, second generation Durham Chapter members since 1988 Claudia Baun says, “We would say that being members of ‘Our Association’ has been very important to the growth and strength of our business for a few reasons.

The education and networking aspect has been huge.

“We have continually sent our staff to courses at LO. They are always pertinent to the industry, and concerns in our business. We have taken numerous courses ourselves. As far as networking goes, that has been a positive experience talking to other contractors, and suppliers, and seeing how they do things, or deal with issues, and hearing the many times their issues are very similar to ours.

“Another important reason member-

ship has been important is that we have entered and won awards through the Awards of Excellence program. This has given our company another reason to ‘Toot our Horn,’ which separates us from other companies.”

Suburban Landscaping, Stouffville, second and third generation Durham Chapter members since 1973 Mark Hegenauer says, “Our company was one of the original members of what then, I believe, was called the Garden Maintenance Association (of Toronto?). It was the predecessor of LO. “I remember working with my father in Toronto’s Bridle Path area (I was eight or so) and my father was really excited to give his $20 or so towards the company’s membership. He hoped that an association would bring together the landscapers to set rates for work, insurance, etc.

“Suburban Landscaping has always flown under the radar and been a quiet member (and continues to be), but a proud member all the same.

“The second generation of sons Mark and Tom Hegenauer (son Michel who was also a partner passed away 11 years ago at age 41) as well as third generation grandchild Michael) are still very active in the business. The company is now 61 years old and still thriving. It is dedicated to the landscape maintenance, landscaping and snow removal sectors.”

GTA Landscaping, Toronto Chapter member since 2014 Vlad Apanovitch says, “We joined Landscape Ontario more than a year ago (originally as an Interim member in January 2014).

“There are a couple of reasons why we initially joined LO. It is a great way to gain trust from our clients by showing them that we are an active member of LO. We have been in business for five years, which is a fairly new company. We had to meet certain criteria in order to get the membership, by complying with the requirements to become a member. LO actually helped us become a more trusted and professional company. And, this was just at the application process. So we grew from day one of being introduced to ‘Our Association.’

58 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

“I have attended many business seminars this past winter and sent our employees to some. They are a great way to learn so many useful things that are closely related to our trade, and which are impossible to find anywhere else. Additionally, we attended last year’s LO Congress, where we made lots of business connections and found out about many useful suppliers.

“We do Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for our website. By having our website’s link on a website like LO, it really helps bring our website to the top. We used contracts and forms as guidelines that are available on landscapeontario. com, which we find to be very useful.”

D.Crupi and Sons, Toronto, joined in 2014 for the member benefit discounts.

Domenic Crupi says, “The Crupi Group decided to join Landscape Ontario about a year ago. At first, it was to take advantage of the discounted rates members receive on GM vehicles, as we were advised by our fleet management company Enterprise.

“We became impressed by the advantage this membership gave us in our leasing and would have been happy enough with just that return on our membership dues, but soon found out we would gain much more from joining.

“I never realized an organization could be a possible benefit. Our business focuses more on heavy construction and paving, however, we quickly realized there were more ways our business could benefit from the networks Landscape Ontario offers. We have found several new suppliers in our construction operations for some of our more specialized projects.

More importantly, our winter snow clearing operations have benefited from LO’s heavy involvement in that industry.

“I am happy we have joined this association and we are always impressed when you end up getting more for our money than we had originally anticipated!”

I don’t think I need to add any more.

Except…thank you to all who work so hard to better the lives of your customers, communities, province and country by continuing to give back to the green industry. You employ thousands of horticulturists, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, growers, arborists, and the list goes on.

You do make our world a better place, not to mention prettier and healthier.

For more information on how you can get involved in your chapter, contact Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com.

UNDERGROUND WORLD Congress to feature information on utility hits

By Terry Murphy CLM

W

e are now finishing 2015. It has been a very good year in the underground damage prevention movement. Both the landscaping and fencing sectors greatly reduced utility hits and both increased locate requests. This makes for a marked improvement in the measurement statistic of hits per 1,000 locate requests, which is the key benchmark for excavator performance.

This is the first time in many years that both industry sectors have shown solid improvement.

Speakers’ Corner

Landscape Ontario and the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) have announced a new event at Congress this year. It is an in-depth look at damage prevention from nine key areas.

It is called Speakers’ Corner. We will present a series of three short informative talks each day of the three-day show. Each talk will be 20 - 25 minutes followed by a short Q. & A. session. At the end of each talk, there will be a draw for $50 cash.

These short 25-minute presentations will greatly assist those who try to combine Congress all in one day.

One can take in one session in half-anhour. If one wishes to take in all three talks in one day, it will take 90 minutes from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Speakers’ Corner will take place on the exhibit floor, in the south hall, next to the café area, in the aisle that leads into the main seminar area. There will be seating for 30 people.

A complete schedule with speakers and times may be found at locongress.com/ events/speakers-corner.

All talks are delivered by industry professionals in damage prevention. They have many years’ experience in their field and can give you valuable tips on how you can work more efficiently and effectively when excavating on a project. Speakers’

Corner offers attendees damage prevention training at no cost.

Home Show and Canada Blooms

One of the key objectives of ORCGA in 2016 is to engage the public and make sure that anyone in society, who digs in the soil, knows they must call Ontario One Call before they dig. This is the law and it applies to everyone. For the first time, ORCGA will be present at The National Home Show with a combined 10 x 20 ft. booth, sponsored by Ontario One Call and ORCGA. The message for the show will be Call Before You Dig and Dig Safely.

At the Landscape Ontario Contractor area inside Canada Blooms, ORCGA will have another exhibit that advertises to the public and industry. It will highlight potential severe damages if anyone digs and strikes a hydro, gas utility line, etc. Our message will be that it is the law and that the home owners and contractors must call Ontario One Call for utility locates before digging.

The public must also know that when they call Ontario One Call, the locate markings will only be provided from the street

to where the service enters the residential house. Any side yard or backyard private gas, cable, telephone or hydro utility requires the home owner’s to call a private locate company for these utility locations.

The provincial government has mandated in the Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Program curriculum that underground safety and damage prevention must be covered in detail. Young apprentices must understand that any time they are doing any excavation work, it is the law that they call for locates. Colleges offering the in-school component of apprenticeship training in horticulture this winter are Mohawk College, Fanshawe College, Humber College and University of Guelph, Kemptville.

These horticultural events are all happening during the first quarter of 2016.

Please note the Congress 2016 event and regardless of the day you attend, a Speakers’ Corner talk will only take 20-25 minutes of you time. If you attend Canada Blooms in March, please stop at one of our ORCGA booths to say hello. If you are an employee and considering Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Training, then you should register immediately at a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities office and get yourself registered into this government program, and then call the college of your choice to obtain a seat for your Level 1 classes, which start in January.

Direct any questions, comments or questions to Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ ca.inter.net .

Get Future Ready.

Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program Level 1 and Level 2 in-school training available January 4 to March 25, 2016 at the Stoney Creek Campus for Skilled Trades

Apprentices receive:

Applicants must:

• On-the-job training combined with in-school instruction

• Have a grade 12 diploma or equivalent • Be registered with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities as a Horticulture Technician Apprentice

• Earn while you learn • $4,000 Apprenticeship Incentive and Completion Grant for the Apprentice

For more information: Mary-Louise Gregoire at 905-575-2518

mohawkcollege.ca/horticulture

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 59

PROSPERITY PARTNERS The founding vision of Prosperity Partners

By Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager

M

any of you have made improvements in your business and career paths thanks to the Prosperity Partners program over the past 10 years.

What most of you don’t know is the driving force behind the concept of Prosperity Partners. In this issue, as we close the tenth year since the inception of the PP concept, I called upon our very humble Past President Bob Tubby — fondly referred to as the Prosperity King of LO. When Bob became LO President, his presidential theme was to develop a tool to help members improve their prosperity. His initial task force met in 2006 at Canada Blooms, and many, many meetings later, a program was born. It was to become (and still is) LO’s template and language for business improvement.

Since those early development days, more than 500 LO business owners and managers have engaged in dozens of workshops across the province (as well as in B.C., N.S. and N.B.) including the Introduction to Prosperity, Build Your Prosperity, Best Practices for Prosperity, Effective Management Short Course, and most recently, the Peer to Peer Network.

To close off our tenth season of Prosperity Partners at Landscape Ontario, I asked Bob for his thoughts on Work-Life Balance. His following comments include the highlights of Bob’s sage advice in our conversation.

“Looking back, I would say that I did okay with the work-life balance thing. If you asked my good wife Mitzi, she would paint a different picture. If I were you, I would side with Mitzi on this one.

“Let’s first examine how we define work-life balance. How you define your own work-life balance may differ from

your colleagues or friends.

“Work-life balance (WLB) is a measure or ratio of time spent working versus the time spent resting or playing. Just what is the proper definition of work?

Is work narrowly defined as the performance of one’s job? Is it something you do at prescribed times each day or week?

Or is work any activity that isn’t considered play or rest? Is grocery shopping considered play, or work? What about caring for your aging parents? These activities can be seen as either work or life, as they require time and effort, and may either contribute to the stress load we bear, or provide a much-needed distraction and slowing down from the pace of intense work.

“Is the life part of WLB properly defined as down time, rest and relaxation, or just any activity that isn’t work? The idea is that the relaxing, fun things in your life will counteract the damaging effects of the things in life that cause stress, both in and outside of work.

“I believe that a happy and healthy WLB is important, but I don’t think taking up golf will rid you of the anxiety you feel after losing your biggest customer to a competitor. The solution isn’t that black and white. I think that we need to look at the whole person and his/her ability to deal with stressful situations — regardless of the origin.

“I believe what counts is your attitude and ability to manage your response to stressful situations. When I was preparing for my time as LO president, I knew that my free time was about to vanish, and my workload was about to double. I responded to these pending changes by reorganizing roles and delegating many of my day-to-day responsibilities to my team. This turned out to be a win/win situation. Those duties, and many more since, have remained as delegated. To my delight it was a positive impact on my employees. This strategy freed up my time to contribute to the business in more important ways.

“Another shift occurred in the way

60 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015

in which I viewed the work ahead of me. I combined my LO, work and life responsibilities as one big to-do list, not as three different lists which would require separate attention. In doing so, I found I was able to accomplish more by taking advantage of the synergies created by my expanded list. I would often group and address tasks of a similar nature, regardless of the list from which they came.

“The two-year term as president could well have become very stressful. It didn’t. I decided to approach my new role with great energy and excitement. I was pumped about serving LO and the leadership mentoring I would receive. I had great expectations for my term and was not disappointed.

“What I took away from this experience was that if you manage stressful situations by organizing yourself, asking for help and controlling your thoughts, you can navigate your way through any situation you find yourself facing.”

Thanks to Bob Tubby’s vision for our members, I know the Prosperity Partners concept has helped hundreds of businesses improve. It provides an exceptional framework for thinking strategically about working ‘on’ your business and career, rather than ‘in’ it. It helps to gain a feeling of control, traction, purposeful decisions and attainable goals.

Most of us struggle with figuring out what to change when our business has a detrimental effect on us or our family life.

The Build Your Prosperity Workshop is the Work Life Balance 101 for entrepreneurs.

If you’re interested in starting to improve your Work Life Balance, and taking the one day Build Your Prosperity Workshop, email us. We build seminars around regional demand. We will come to any LO Chapter with ten or more members (or potential members) wanting to sign up. Contact us at prosperity@ landscapeontario.com, or register at locongress.com/events/peer-to-peer-workshop.

My very best wishes to you and your family for the Holiday season. I look forward to seeing you at Congress next month at our Peer-to-Peer Network session on Warm up Monday.

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $50.85. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10.

Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). January deadline is Dec. 10. Space is limited to a first come, first served basis.

To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included) for Associaton members and $90.40 HST included for non-members. Website ads are posted for 31 days. View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

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Visit the LO Resource Centre at Congress 2016 January 12-14 (Booth 218)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES GENERAL FARM LABOURER Field labour in the nursery, minimum wage, full time. Duties: Weeding, hoeing, planting, digging, watering and pruning of trees and shrubs in fields and yard.

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All inquiries should be directed to production@blueskynursery.ca

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MACUTO NURSERIES Experienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating, digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $11.25.

Seasonal employment starting April 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2016.

Job site Keswick, Ontario Fax resume 905-476-1534 or mail P.O. Box 284 Keswick, ON L4P 3E2 Tel: 905-727-3666 PAO HORTICULTURAL We are looking for experienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating, digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $11.25 per hour. Seasonal employment starts March 28 to December 2, 2016​. Based in Hornby, Ontario.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please no phone calls. Fax or email resumes to: info@paohorticultural.com Fax: 905-875-1511

We are currently looking for amazing people like you to work with us as a: Landscape Designer • You love helping people create amazing outdoor spaces! You want to see the project from start to finish and have a strong drive to succeed.

• You want to design outdoor landscapes that are atheistically functional - meaning you won’t sacrifice beauty for integrity.

• You have computer design experience in programs like Dynascape, Auto-CAD, Sketch Up and Photoshop, but can also sketch out an amazing drawing on the spot.

• You have a passion for putting the right plant material in the right space.

• You have practical building experience with paving stone and retaining walls - you won’t design something that can’t be built • Your portfolio is ready to be viewed, but more importantly, you are ready to sell!

What we need from you: • Ability to get to and from our Office in St Marys • A clean driver’s abstract • Willingness to learn, grow and excel in your field • Seek ways to continuously improve our operations • A commitment to safety • Good communication skills • A sense of fun!

VIEW MORE ONLINE www.klomps.ca/careers Email: careers@klomps.ca Fax: 519-284-0359 Klomp’s Landscaping thanks everyone for their application, but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. An equal opportunity employer.

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Find out what is happening in your Association – participate at the AGM

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Registration and breakfast commence at 7:00 a.m., with the meeting to follow at 8:00 a.m.

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64 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO DECEMBER 2015