Landscape Ontario - January 2021

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

January 2021

CREATIVE

SUCCESS

Gerry Visco calls on his love of fine art to problem-solve and stay flexible.

PM 40013519

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January, 2021 • Volume 39 - No. 01 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 profession in Ontario.

Features 4 Profile: Forest Ridge Landscaping

Departments 6 12 13 14 15 18 22

Association News Scholarship Profile Volunteer Profile New Members Professional News Columns Advertisers

Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645 Creative director / IT coordinator Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager 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 Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLM lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Andrea Annis, Darryl Bond, Grace Bruch, Amy Buchanan, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Cassandra Garrard, Meghan Greaves, Sally Harvey CLT CLM, Chantal Jorgensen, Keri MacIvor, Heather MacRae, Katarina Markovic, Kathy McLean, Shalini Mehta, Patrick Roche, Joe Salemi, Ian Service, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Boot CLM, Laura Catalano, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman, Marty Lamers, Bob Tubby, Nick Winkelmolen Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Phone: 905-875-1805 ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Continue to take two steps forward

W

quest for a greener planet was partially put on hold. It turns out pandemics generate A LOT of waste. We’ll need to get our industry plan back on track in 2021.

At LO, a few other things moved to the back burner while we dealt with the urgent stuff, and now we need to bring them up to the front once again. We’ll revisit our Strategic Plan and determine if the same course we were on is still relevant.

Some of the challenges our industry faces seem perennial. The ongoing skilled labour shortage hampers our growth potential. Growers have access to labour through the FARM plan. We need to look at how we can improve the supply of foreign labour for our landscape and maintenance companies. And we’ll need something similar for the rest of the association.

And though the fight against high insurance rates is ongoing, Bill 118 has been passed. It will help us to reduce frivolous slip and fall claims. There’s still a lot more to do and improving how we do our contracting is critical. As snow contractors, we can’t be signing client contracts that have one-sided indemnity clauses. Through LO, we’ve developed a fair contract that snow contractors can use to get a better deal. It’s okay to refuse a client’s contract if you’ve got a well-crafted alternative… even if it’s just a few relevant parts that you can substitute in your counter offer.

It is time to move forward together.

I challenge you to look at what you are doing and ensure you are taking two steps forward and not that one step back.

hen preparing to write this message, I always read back over the last year to see what themes keep returning. At first I wrote about what 2020 was going to be like for everyone, then I wrote about what it turned into. I’m sure you can agree, 2020 was the longest year ever.

Case in point: during my infrequent travels — by video and in person, several people have asked me what I am going to do with all my time as past president (despite the fact I’m only halfway through my term!). 2020 has dragged on so long that it already seems like two years… and not just to me!

When I speak about what Landscape Ontario is doing, I always get drawn back into the discussion of what we did to get everyone working safely during the Covid19 pandemic. That topic is so last year. 2021 has finally arrived and it’s time to talk about the future instead of the present. This new year brings us the optimism of a vaccine that will end the pandemic, an opening of our doors and communities, and the excitement of seeing and being close to friends that we have not been around in a long time. We also have the prospect of a continuing boom of work as people plan for and spend money on their home landscapes.

The new year will also bring change.

Life will never be exactly the same. It’s not supposed to be. We are supposed to learn from our mistakes and move forward — better, greater, greener. Despite a pretty dramatic overall global reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs), our

Dave Wright LO President davew@wrightlandscape.ca

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 2021, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 9x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

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

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FOREST RIDGE LANDSCAPING Member Profile:

Forest Ridge Landscaping brings a family-run, relationship building approach to commercial, municipal and residential clients.

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ive years ago, Forest Ridge Landscaping CEO, Gerry Visco went back to university and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

"With fine arts, you have to look at things from different angles and I find still maintaining that creative side helps me to look at things differently and problem-solve a little bit differently," Visco says.

Back in the early ‘90s, Visco studied graphic design at George Brown College, where a summer job in landscaping helped to shape his career.

"My wife Danielle and I are high school sweethearts," Visco explains, "and my summer job was actually in landscaping while I was going to school. When I graduated, my entry level job for graphic design paid half of what I could make in the summer in construction and I worked myself up to being a lead hand."

In those days, Visco says he was primarily building water features and felt he had pigeon-holded himself. In 1999, he and Danielle started Forest Ridge Landscaping, to also offer design and more construction services to residential clients. Danielle is

the company's CFO. "In the winter, we actually just kept a couple of employees on and we just did winter maintenance on a very small scale to keep our core staff busy," Visco says of the early years. "From there, what really changed for us for maintenance and construction was the ability to become bonded to obtain surety bonds for projects. So then the projects got a little bit bigger and more high-profile and obviously with that we gained a lot more experience in government procurement work.

So we really focussed our attention on that income stream."

The company has seen tremendous growth over the past 10 years through a number of year-round maintenance contracts with York Region and the City of Vaughan.

Visco says the Mount Albert, Ont.-based company receives about 90 per cent of its work through municipal maintenance contracts. They also do commercial landscaping and maintenance and focus about 10 per cent of the business on highend residential design and construction.

"When you go to this commercial side of it where you're dealing with different entities,

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you're dealing with people that are just procurement, consultant and contractor," Visco says. "So it's three distinct silos that work together to get a project done, and a lot of times the consultant is really there almost as a mediator between contractor and owner, so they're doing their due diligence to make sure the contractor does a good job — really everyone is just covering their own responsibilities, but there's relationshipbuilding there as well."

Visco says his experience building relationships with residential clients helps to break those silos down on municipal projects. "I think what's really helped with us too is that we came from residential work, then moved into more commercial work with that feel of relationship-building mentality that you need to have with residential work," he says.

Forest Ridge prides itself on being a family-run business. It is a big part of their culture.The Viscos' two grown children have graduated from post-secondary school and have come into the family business. Visco hopes they will take over one day. "I could say we are a family run business all day

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

long, but if the key people in the business don't feel that way, then that's not going to be reflected," Visco explains.

Those key people are also a big part of the company's success, which Visco says he is very fortunate to have. His operations manager, Ed Tustin, worked for a sub trade in the early days and has now been with Forest Ridge for about 16 years. "Ed is one of the key people and there's several of them: Tracey Pye, Matt Dillon, Brant WIlliams. We have five employees that are at the 15- to 20-year mark with us, and that’s integral in our growth. They run the divisions within a company. It would not be possible without that," Visco says.

Health and safety is also another big part of the culture at Forest Ridge. The company recently obtained a Certificate of Recognition (COR) from the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA). Obtaining the national accreditation standard was a two-year process that is typically obtained by much larger organizations. A growing number of municipalities are now requiring a COR from IHSA as a requirement for contractors bidding on projects.

Visco says a true testament to the company culture is the widespread integration of things like health and safety. "If you engage your employees and you have them involved in health and safety, then they will feel like they have a piece in the game.

When we went down the road to do COR certification, that's what they really wanted us to do — to make sure that the joint health and safety committee we had in place reached further than just that team. When we order PPE for example, the vest and the shirts and the jackets, we also get feedback from the employees and see what they like and they are comfortable with it, because if they like it then they're going to wear it."

Ultimately, Visco says, "You want everybody to go home at night and carry with them the satisfaction of having an honest day’s work. You never want to lose someone at work or have them critically injured — that's priority one."

Forest Ridge typically has about 45 employees through spring and fall, but that number easily doubles in winter. "The reason our numbers increase in the winter is actually due to health and safety," Visco says. "We

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very rarely actually have operators go out by themselves unless they are salting with a large deicing vehicle. If they are working in a pickup truck, we typically have a ride along with them just in case something happens."

Visco says they schedule things so a support team is always close by.

With the world dealing with the coronavirus pandemic this year, Visco says he has actually overhired in case a crew has to quarantine for two weeks, or if people get sick.

"At the end of the day, you're limited to what you can oversee," Visco says. So Gerry tends to run the procurement side of the business and in summer focuses a lot more on residential work. "With my background in graphic design, I'm always on the designbuild side of things." Visco does most of the designs and was still producing drawings by hand up until about 10 years ago. He now uses Dynascape and other computer graphics programs from his graphic design days.

And now, Visco is back at school again, working on his Masters' Degree in Fine Arts.

“University is interesting," Visco says, "You learn how to learn. And sometimes you may lose touch with that."

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Durham and Upper Canada Chapters give back to frontline workers

Landscape Ontario's Durham and Upper Canada Chapters led the way this fall, completing the first two garden makeovers for frontline heroes.

DURHAM CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS Arnt’s Topsoil (stone supplier) Pristine Property Maintenance Lloyd’s Landscape Contracting Durham Artificial Grass Kobes Nurseries Norm Mills Bruce Cullen A nurse at Markham Stouffville Hospital for more than 20 years, makeover recipient Jada Parcells of Bowmanville, Ont., said, “Thank you. I just bawled when I saw how beautiful it was! Thank you for donating your time and creating something so nice out of an eyesore. I cannot thank the Durham Chapter enough for this!”

Jada Parcells

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

UPPER CANADA CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS Rhonda Derue, Derue Designs Jesse Perrin, Green Things Landscaping Lisa Smith, Connon Nurseries Wentworth Landscapes Willowlee Sod Dibbits Excavating and Landscape Supply Paul Doornbos, Thornbusch Landscaping Drakes Landscaping Terry Childs, Nature’s Way Landscaping Alexis Wakelin, a Personal Support Worker from Gananoque, Ont., commented, “I’m very happy with it; the kids love it.

We’re all delighted with the whole design.”

Thank you to the many LO member volunteers who helped to recognize our frontline heroes. For more information on the remaining makeovers, visit HortTrades.com/hero

Alexis Wakelin

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Fusion Landscape Professional program goes virtual in 2021 Landscape contractors and designers have until Jan. 29, 2021 to apply for a limited number of spaces for the next round of training and certification for the Fusion Landscape Professional (FLP) program.

Developed by Landscape Ontario in partnership with the Region of Peel and the Regional Municipality of York, the FLP program combines the art and science of horticulture with the science of hydrology to design, build, install and maintain aesthetically pleasing, water efficient landscapes.

The program provides participants with the tools and knowledge to promote and provide landscapes that utilize lot level stormwater management and enhance the environment, as well as a means to open the door to new business opportunities. The training will bring participants up-to-date on an evolving industry and better equips them to meet the needs of a growing number of clients who have

environmental concerns.

In 2020, the FLP program was expanded province-wide for all Landscape Ontario members and the 2021 training in February will be delivered in an online format. For companies operating outside of Peel and/or York Regions the program will be offered at a cost. In order to become FLP-certified, participants are required to write an exam following the training.

If you have a passion for protecting the environment and would like to develop a clientele who feel the same, the Fusion Landscape Professional program is right for you.

The program includes access to a study manual that will need to be reviewed prior to the training.

For more details and to apply, visit HortTrades.com/ fusion or contact Jessica Tucker at 1-800-265-5656, ext.

2397 or jtucker@landscapeontario.com.

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Growers and retailers look back on 2020 Langendoen said Willowbrook ended up hiring a lot of students to fill the labour gap and having them around turned out to be a lot of fun. Sheridan's Art Vanden Enden says staffing requirements were also tough to meet in May and June due to the unprecedented demand for products.

Safety was a big issue for everyone in 2020. Grobe said he spent a lot of time greeting eager shoppers to explain procedures and also had to really plan out and manage traffic flow within the store. Vanderkruk said there was no way he could have predicted the important role safety would play for his customers and staff from beginning to end of season.

The panellists shared a wealth of information, solutions and ideas, as well as some great insight on what to expect in 2021. BTN's Jeff Olsen said the past year has taught him to focus on his existing customers, rather than seeking out new clients, and that he no longer has to take over 100 business trips a year to visit clients and trade shows.

The evening included a moment of silence to acknowledge the recent passing of Neil Vanderkuk of Connon Nurseries.

Special thanks to Llewellyn for hosting the event and to the panel members for their time and insights.

The replay can be watched online via YouTube.com/ landscapeontario.

Over 80 people attended the Landscape Ontario Growers Group Fall Dinner Meeting on Nov. 24, 2020. Titled, Surviving COVID-19 — Town Hall for Growers and Garden Centres, the annual end-of-season education and networking event was in a virtual, online format.

Growers Group member Jennifer Llewellyn, Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, moderated an all-star panel of growers and retailers who discussed their business experiences over the course of 2020, including the challenges, successes and changes that took place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The panel included: Perry Grobe, owner, Grobe Nursery; Jeff Olsen, president and CEO BTN; John Langendoen, president Willowbrook Nurseries; Rob Vanderkruk, president, Connon Nurseries; Art Vanden Enden, President, retail operations, Sheridan Nurseries.

The pandemic forced business owners to deal with a number of challenges, including less access to foreign labour, store or facility closures, increased safety protocols, and travel restrictions. Willowrook's John Langedoen said the weekly meetings held by the Growers Group were one of the things that helped him to get through the most uncertain times.

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Province announces $20 million to fund apprenticeship

On Dec. 4, 2020, the Ontario government announced $20 million in funding to support apprenticeship and skilled trades across the province. The announcement was made at TLC Landscaping Design and Pools in London, Ont., — a member of Landscape

Ontario. Pictured here (l-r): Jay Murray, owner, TLC Landscaping; Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development; Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues. For more on the announcement, visit gfl.me/h9jJ.

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In Memoriam — Neil Vanderkruk

Online association AGM to be held February 18 Under association bylaws, Landscape Ontario is required to hold an Annual General Meeting each year for members. While all members are welcome to attend, each member company is only permitted one vote on any agenda items that require a vote from the membership.

The 2020 AGM will be held Feb. 18, 2021 via an online format. An All-Chapter virtual meeting will also take place that day starting at 1 p.m. and will feature a guest speaker and networking sessions.

Stay tuned to LO's weekly enews and HortTrades.com/events for full details. Members are also encouraged to review the 2020 Annual Report, available online at HortTrades.com/2020-annual-report.

Neil Vanderkruk passed away Nov. 21, 2020 with family at his side. He was 84.

A horticulture pioneer who dedicated his life to NVK Connon Nurseries, Vanderkruk was a founding member of Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, serving as president from 1988-1989. He was one of only 14 individuals bestowed with an honorary life member in the association's nearly 50-year history. Neil was also a long-time member of the Ontario Horticultural Trades Association — a charitable organization providing scholarships and funding research projects to ensure a healthy future for the horticultural industry. His love for work and family was close to his heart. He shared his gift as an organist, leading many in praise and worship.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Hamilton General Emergency staff, the Express staff, 5 West staff, and all the home care staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Providence Christian School, Dundas, Ont., would be greatly appreciated.

For more on Vanderkurk's many accomplishments, see HortTrades.com/neil-vanderkruk.

Vote for your favourite Ottawa Chapter projects and suppliers Back by popular demand, the Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario will once again recognize the top suppliers and contractors within the chapter via the 2020 Ottawa Chapter Awards of Distinction.

Contractors entered projects online at the end of 2020 and nominees for supplier awards were also accepted.

Voting for both the contractor and supplier awards will be open online from Jan. 11 to Feb. 1, 2021.

Awards for both programs will be announced online Feb. 10.

To cast your ballot or for more details, visit HortTrades.com/ Ottawa.

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SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE

Volunteering helped Olivia Hart discover what she was always meant to do Olivia Hart recently completed the Horticultural Industries Diploma at Algonquin College. With a passion for edible gardening and pollinators, she was awarded a $500 scholarship by the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation in 2020.

How did you come to choose horticulture as a career path?

"My dream is for people to understand that we are not separate from nature.

We are nature." — Olivia Hart

A green thumb and a passion for gardening runs in my family. My grandmother is an avid gardener and so is my mom. I have many fond memories of helping them both in their gardens and taking trips to local plant nurseries. I graduated from Carleton University with a BA in psychology, but felt lost as to what to do next. I ended up returning to school to take biology at Trent University. At Trent, I volunteered in the student-run vegetable gardens and thoroughly enjoyed my time weeding the rows, harvesting vegetables, and saving seeds. I realized I wanted my career to have hands-on elements, as well as room to be creative. Most importantly, I wanted to work with plants, so I applied to Algonquin.

What work experience do you have?

The summer prior to beginning my diploma at Algonquin College, I worked as a gardener at The Ivy Lea Club in the Thousand Islands where I gained valuable experience maintaining the extensive gardens for the hundreds of visitors that come from far and wide to enjoy the beautiful St. Lawrence River.

What are some of the career opportunities you want to pursue?

I am hoping to gain some more hands-on experience in the landscaping industry before I open my own landscape design business. I believe that experience working in the field is an important part of what it means to be a good designer. Ideally, I would like to work for a company that prioritizes native plants, as I would like to become more familiar with the native varieties and their care.

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Where did your interest in pollinators and sustainable landscape design come from?

I have always been very passionate about environmental issues. Growing up in the beautiful Frontenac Arch has given me a huge appreciation for wildlife and wild spaces. I have always admired the living things around me and maintained the desire to help them in whatever way I can. The sustainable landscape design courses at Algonquin resonated with me very deeply. It seemed the perfect way to unite my love for gardening and horticulture with my passion for the environment and wildlife. I remember sitting at my desk during my very first design class and thinking, "Yes! This is exactly what I am meant to do."

Has anyone been a mentor to you?

I would like to thank Sundaura AlfordPurvis, who taught my sustainable landscape design courses. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to be a part of her class. She is such a wealth of knowledge and her passion for sustainability is truly admirable. Sometimes the environmental crises that we are facing feels completely overwhelming, but Sundaura taught me that we all have the capacity to make a difference, and what we choose to do in our own backyard matters.

Whether it be choosing to plant a native instead of an invasive, or opting to go turffree, Sundaura advocates that we are all making an impact, so let's make it a good one. Sundaura offers such a refreshing perspective that I think our industry desperately needs, even if it means asking some tough questions.

What is one dream you have?

My dream is for people to understand that we are not separate from nature. We are nature. And by protecting the wild spaces, we are, in fact, protecting ourselves. My hope is that someday, all of our actions will be rooted in that knowledge, regardless of what industry we find ourselves in.

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VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Volunteering allows Steve Hernandez to have a say on issues

"...if we don’t keep involved, then certain decisions could be made without our input that impact us and our businesses." — Steve Hernandez

How did you get started in the profession?

How has volunteering helped your career?

I got started in the profession by chance. I worked in the hotel and hospitality industry for about 15 years, then started selling life insurance for a couple of years. One evening, while I was out with a friend, we met a friend of his, who was looking for an irrigation crew for the summer. We decided to join him on an installation, and I enjoyed the work so much that I decided to keep doing it. The physical aspect was enjoyable and it was a very peaceful experience.

By staying involved with LO, I have been able to continue teaching and presenting at irrigation related events. I have been recognized based on those events, as someone who is committed to constant improvements and learning in this industry.

I think that this has allowed me to sell myself (when needed) as a preferred contractor in this industry, or even as someone who can be referred to for information.

How did you get involved with the LO Irrigation sector group?

What is the best part of your work day?

I was asked by a product rep many years ago, to join in the irrigation sector group meetings as a contractor. I believe we need to stay involved with our preferred industry in order to have any say in how the industry moves forward. We are always discussing various issues related to our industry, and if we don’t keep involved, then certain decisions could be made without our input that impact us and our businesses.

I would have to say that I enjoy meeting and spending time with customers. Helping them discover their irrigation requirements or upgrades and maintenance of their properties is quite rewarding. I still enjoy the irrigation experience and the challenge of troubleshooting something and figuring it out, or creating a new design for a property that isn't irrigated.

How did you get involved in teaching?

About 12 or 13 years ago, an irrigation contractor I had been working with mentioned my name to the Horticultural Landscape program coordinator at Humber College, as they were looking for an instructor for their irrigation course. So I called her up thinking it was a one-off thing at Humber Nurseries, only to find out it was for teaching at the college. I taught that class for about five years, and I guess LO got wind of it and was later asked to teach some of its irrigation related classes and courses.

Do you volunteer with any other groups?

Over the past five years, I have been asked to present many irrigation topics and classes for organizations such as the Ontario Parks Association and Sports Turf Canada.

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What is the best part about the landscape profession?

Like many that get involved in the landscape profession, I still enjoy those beautiful summer days that allow me to get out into the fresh air and participate on a project that I consider to be more fun than work. Getting paid for it is a bonus!

Do you have any hobbies, talents or interests outside of work that you are passionate about?

I have been extremely lucky to have lived in different parts of the world. Having grown up living in various places such as The United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, and having spent a short time living in Washington D.C., I have a great fondness of travelling. I love seeing different parts of the world and encountering new and interesting people and cultures.

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NEW MEMBERS Landscape Ontario welcomes the following newly approved companies and individuals to our community Durham

London

The Brooklin Group Inc Eric Faulds / Tel: 416-936-7712 Membership Type: Professional Member

Accuratus Design & Build Inc Justin Boyce / Tel: 519-630-9644 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Georgian Lakelands

Aligned Contracting Cory Van Bergen / Tel: 519-500-2092 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

1311852 ONT Ltd O/A Georgian Water J.J. Francoeur / Tel: 705-812-0320 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Gethke Construction Inc Jamie Gethke / Tel: 519-272-6956 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

2612444 Ontario Limited O/A Imagine Design Construction Brett Lennox / Tel: 705-441-2787 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Rock Paper Earth Landscape & Design Sean Fitzpatrick / Tel: 519-532-7687 Membership Type: Member

982704 Ontario Inc O/A Jameson Homes & Lending Steve Feheley / Tel: 705-718-8920 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

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Toronto Aspire Software Eric Mann / Tel: 866-727-7473 Membership Type: Associate

Castle Plumbing & Heating (Sudbury) Ltd Carrie Jean / Tel: 705-671-8014 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Demand Air Systems LTD Stephen Fiorini / Tel: 416-746-2005 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Jerry's Plumbing Jerry Millar / Tel: 705-444-3428 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

ETP Metals/Quality Railings Emilio Cariati / Tel: 416-741-9859 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Lee Plumbing Inc Robert Lee / Tel: 705-706-1301 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Eco-Power Electric George Boutsalis / Tel: 416-803-0890 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Match Grade Matt Elines / Tel: 705-828-1630 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

PA L A C E P E R E N N I A L S Proudly growing perennials f� over 31 years

G Group Management Inc Corrado Scivoletto / Tel: 905-597-0200 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Mulvihill Contracting Glen Mulvihill / Tel: 705-325-4764 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Northern Drill Fluid Supplies David Shedler / Tel: 647-455-5079 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

North Toronto Construction Adam Nicholson / Tel: 647-545-0485 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Rockhouse Construction Inc Joseph Tete / Tel: 416-662-7607 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Outram Tree Solutions Jacob Outram / Tel: 705-457-7087 Membership Type: Professional Member

Waterloo

Total Home Centre Inc Denis Payment / Tel: 705-560-5222 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Bill Gillespie Construction Bill Gillespie / Tel: 519-938-2939 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Towell Construction Ltd Chris Towell / Tel: 705-943-7889 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Driver Verified Inc Caleb Krahn / Tel: 519-279-6826 Membership Type: Associate

Walker Construction & Contracting David Goggins / Tel: 705-345-0278 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Vineland releases 2020-2021 Innovation Report Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) released The 2020-2021 Innovation Report, containing updates on several multi-year projects designed to bring innovation and benefits to the agricultural, floriculture and horticulture industries.

Tania Humphrey, Vice President, Research and Development, writes in the report that after 12 years of operations, Vineland also went through the process of updating its innovation strategy to determine where the organization should focus in the future. Vineland will "narrow its innovation focus to just three key areas in its new strategy: plant products, automation and environment," Humphrey wrote.

Vineland has been working closely with Ontario greenhouse growers to produce tomato-on-thevine seed that will help Canadian producers stay competitive in a tough global market, currently dominated by three Dutch varieties. The seeds are now available on the market and Travis Banks, Director, Plant Variety Development, and his team have now shifted toward improving the flavour and disease resistance of the first three selections.

Vineland's Research Scientist of Biological Control, Rose Buitenhuis, is working closely with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph to tackle pest problems affecting the floriculture industry, including how to minimize the damage to a wide range of ornamental plants due to thrips.

Vineland has been looking into automation for the agriculture and horticulture sector for a number of years as a way to address labour shortages and reduce costs. Labour accounts for 40-60 per cent of production costs for growers. The labour shortage was even more prevalent in 2020 due to restricted access to foreign workers due to Covid-19.

Vineland's Director of Automation, Hussam Haroun, writes, "With automation, we can solve the labour shortage problem, while also bringing a new generation of workers into the industry by being able to offer people challenging jobs as engineers, technicians and system operators."

The project has been using robotics in fruit and vegetable production, specifically in mushroom and cucumber harvesting, which requires a new decisionmaking process driven by artificial intelligence.

Greening the urban landscape to create a healthier environment for all Canadians has been a long-time project of Vineland's Senior Research Scientist, Darby McGrath. The project aims to drastically improve the survival rate of urban tree plantings in order to

better combat climate change and provide a healthier landscape for all.

With the average lifespan of a major roadside tree being only five to 10 years, the project also has significant economic benefits to municipalities and growers via the additional costs to replace failed trees.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced many city planners and residents to realize just how valuable our urban greenspaces are, and Landscape Ontario has been a strong partner of the project.

Located in the Niagara Region, Vineland is an independent, not-for-profit organization, funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Vineland researchers work together to deliver innovative products and production solutions that address the needs of the horticulture industry and advance Canada’s research and commercialization agenda.

The 24-page report is available in both English and French at gfl.me/h9m9 or via the Vineland website at VinelandResearch.com.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Bill 118 receives Royal Assent Bill 118, the Occupiers' Liability Amendment Act, was passed at its third reading in the Ontario Legislature on December 3, 2020.

The new law requires anyone who wishes to sue for a slip and fall incident to provide written notice to a property owner, property manager, snow removal contractor or tenant within 60 days of the incident.

The previous time period was two years.

The written notice must also include the location, date and time of the incident.

The Private Member's Bill introduced in 2019 by Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller had proposed a 10-day notice period for slip and fall claims, which was recently amended by a standing committee due to concerns expressed by lawyers to the review committee.

The passing of the bill into law comes during the midst of an insurance crisis that has seen insurance rates for many snow removal contractors more than triple.

Others are unable to even obtain insurance, while some simply can't afford to operate this season.

tel: 905 689 4022

The passing of the bill will not alleviate the situation altogether, and Miller says he will be calling on government to look at other ways to reduce the high costs of insurance for contractors.

National stats on underground utility damage released The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) released its 2019 DIRT Report, providing a summary and analysis of underground infrastructure damages reported throughout Canada.

The Damage Information Report Tool (DIRT) encompasses utility strikes across a wide range of industries and sectors, as well as by home and property owners.

The data is used by the CCGA and its provincial organizations, including the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) in Ontario, to focus education and promotion efforts (including Dig Safe Moth, Dig Safe messaging, etc.) to those groups with the highest instances and increases in damage.

The report provides some insightful statistics, including:

• 1 in 4 damages is due to the excavating party not making a locate request.

• Nearly 1 in 5 damages involve hazardous/life threatening facilities.

• More than 48 damages occurred per work day.

• Societal cost of damages is estimated to be over $1.2 billion.

• Natural gas and telecommunications facilities account for 85 per cent of damages.

The Ontario 2020 DIRT Report is expected to be released later this spring.

The Canadian 2019 DIRT Report can be found with the online version of this article at gfl.me/h9mc or via orcga.com.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Nancy Rowland named new CEO of Royal Botanical Gardens The Board of Directors of Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) recently announced the selection of Nancy Rowland as its new Chief Executive Officer.

"The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall management and leadership of over 2,700 acres of cultivated gardens and environmentally sensitive nature sanctuaries that are Canada’s largest botanical garden,” said Cliff Carson, Chair, Board of Directors of Royal Botanical Gardens. "Nancy brings a wealth of relevant experience and measured approach to the challenges and opportunities facing Royal Botanical Gardens, and I look forward to working with her as we usher the Gardens into an exciting new era.”

“I am honoured and excited to be joining the team at Royal Botanical Gardens,” said Rowland. “As a significant tourist and cultural destination that plays a pivotal role in addressing the critical environmental pressures facing our planet,

RBG is truly a one-of-a-kind organization.

I am eager to start working with the Gardens’ stakeholders and supporters while fostering new relationships that will further realize RBG’s limitless potential.”

Rowland succeeds Mark Runciman who retired at the end of 2020 after 36 years with Royal Botanical Gardens. “I wish Nancy the best of luck moving into the CEO role during what is an exciting period in RBG history,” said Runciman.

With Rowland at the helm, RBG will move forward with implementation of its 25-year Master Plan. The plan aims to position RBG as Canada’s leading environmental centre with world-class gardens, natural areas, programs, services and facilities that powerfully influence positive change in the way people interact with the planet. The plan received approval from RBG’s Board of Directors in May 2019.

To learn more about RBG,visit www.rbg.ca.

ALL-CHAPTER MEETING

Ottawa announces funding to plant two billion trees The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, launched the Government of Canada’s plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years, with an investment of $3.16 billion.

Meeting this commitment will help Canada address climate change by reducing carbon pollution and is a key part of Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Government’s plan will get trees in the ground starting this spring in urban areas across Canada. The Government has also already begun building longterm partnerships so that Canada has the infrastructure, especially nurseries, to carry out the full tree-planting plan.

The Dec. 14 announcement also mentioned continued support for the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute.

Get a link to the full annoucement at gfl.me/h9m6.

COMING THIS JANUARY

AGM & ALL-CHAPTER MEETING

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

1 P.M.

MARCH 9-11, 2021

SECTOR WEEK 17

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

EXECUTIVE DESK

Turn off the news and plant a garden

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020 will stand out in the history books as the year of Covid chaos. From a profession perspective, Covid is a blessing mixed with a little guilt. The fact that the population was confined encouraged spending to improve and enhance homes and gardens.

As a consequence, most members reported strong sales after a very rough start. The largest issue continues to be finding employees. Another serious issue is escalating insurance costs, especially for those in the snow removal business. The guilt arises because other professions have been devastated. So many have suffered through the effects of Covid. We have a great deal to be thankful for.

Looking back at 2020, I would like to acknowledge the perseverance and inspiration of our membership. The LO Covid-19 Task Force has met almost 100 times in order to provide you with helpful information and encouragement in the face of uncertainty. Our garden communicators mobilized when we needed them and made sure the public and the politicians were aware of the life-enhancing and essential nature of our profession. Our collective work provides a respite from Covid fatigue. I love the title of Lucas Nelson’s song, "Turn off the news Plant a Garden.” It appears many have done just that. We have cause to celebrate.

I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding and tireless work of our publisher, Lee Ann Knudsen. Lee Ann and her husband have decided to retire to a cottage in the Alleghenies. Lee Ann has contributed a lifetime to ensuring our communications department reflects the very best of the profession and our staff family. I will always remember Lee Ann with fondness. Her integrity-filled personality ensured the content of our communications was truthful and

received with trust. She will be missed. Thank you Lee Ann, for your friendship, loyalty and service-oriented inspiration.

2021 represents newness, change and hope. The days are getting longer. Renewal is in the air. A Covid vaccine gives rise to optimism and positivity.

Although 2020 provided the most extreme change that any of us have experienced in our lifetime, it also highlighted foundational values and truths that provide comfort.

Change is inevitable, but values and principles are unchanging and provide the stability we need to weather any storm.

I have often referred to myself as the “official observer.” I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of individuals in my role.

By observing, listening to and reflecting on these awesome personalities, I have been able to distil some of the never changing principles that provide stability in times of constant change and uncertainty. Here is what I have learned:

The principle of care and contribution (give back mentality) I have come across so many great leaders in our organization who really do not need us. It is sometimes a mystery to me why so many individuals remain engaged, even if they are retired or independently wealthy. These wonderful individuals taught me that we are more than our businesses and organizations.

Our organizations exist to be a conduit for caring and positive change. They exist to leave a positive legacy.

We are in the “caring for each other” business. Landscape and horticulture are the conduit we use. We are really a club for mutual benefit and improvement. We are prosperity partners. Even as competitors, our role is to wish each other well, mentor each other and generate goodwill that

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inspires others now and in the future. I find it interesting to note that the act of caring is infectious and inspiring and communicates at an emotional level. Acts of caring are indelibly imprinted in our memory and last a lifetime.

Acts of caring are like a flame that spreads.

Acts of caring enhances lives, builds each other up and promotes growth financially, personally, spiritually, emotionally, socially and most importantly they leave a legacy because they spread from one person to the other and from one generation to the next.

Vision No matter what you are facing in life, having a vision of the future provides energy and hope and mobilizes many others to participate in achieving that vision. At LO, our collective vision is a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized, valued and contribution-oriented profession. To achieve this vision, we are focused on mutual benefit and improvement.

Our overall mission is to enhance lives as we work to realize our vision.

Goal setting (taking aim) There is unlimited information and constant change and complexity. The only way to achieve progress is to filter out the distractions and focus on goals. This is a key to achievement and progress.

Synergy and sharing The definition of synergy is: “The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” Synergy is what Landscape Ontario is about. We are part of something bigger than ourselves when we cooperate with each other. We are in the cooperation business.

Empathy It is so important to look at life through the lens of those you interact with. Empathy leads to actions that benefit everyone.

Empathy forces you to realize the importance of thinking of others.

This is some of what I have learned from many of you. When I retire in September 2022, my goal is to write a book that captures the unchanging wisdom of the many individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with. I wish you an awesome and wonderful new year.

Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO Executive Director

tony@landscapeontario.com

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

MEMBERSHIP

Working on what matters most

T

he last nine months have flown by — but what is tremendously apparent is that despite the challenges of the pandemic, the business of Landscape Ontario has carried on at full throttle.

tough to get young people interested in a career in landscaping, but we are continuing to make progress with government grants to fund this important work.

Professional development

Staying engaged Landscape Ontario is locally relevant because of all of the great work being done by each chapter. Each chapter’s board of directors are meeting by Zoom to discuss ways to stay connected. Through the truly incredible efforts of the LO Covid-19 Task Force, the association has delivered over 40 webinars and town halls to bring timely and relevant information to the community. The membership team, through collaboration with the chapter leaders, brought together the All Chapter Virtual Meetings with great success.

This past spring we had to cancel many of our professional development courses due to Covid-19. With some great agility, we were able to deliver many of those workshops online. Now, we’re gearing up for the next professional development series. While our planning does include some in-person training, we are focusing our efforts on online courses. With some regions in lockdown and others dealing with restrictions, we will continue to offer the educational opportunities you have come to expect from LO while keeping you safe.

A reimagined LO Congress

Workforce development The labour gap continues to be the bottleneck of growth and expansion. LO leadership made this issue a top priority in its strategic planning. One of the ideas that has been discussed several times is the notion of LO being a hiring hall. This past April, LO received a grant through Skills Advance Ontario to pilot this concept.

This grant allowed LO to recruit and train those that were previously unemployed and match them with employers, LO members. You have likely seen much of the communications around the program. It is called GROW (Get Ready for Opportunities at Work).

The LO team continues to work hard to encourage landscape horticulturist apprentices through the profession, throughout Ontario. We know it’s really

Nothing will ever replace the LO Congress we have all come to know and love. But rather than do nothing, we have created a valuable, engaging, and fun virtual alternative. No, it’s not a show. We have created an ongoing virtual marketplace to connect landscape professionals with suppliers of products, equipment, services, and solutions. A marketplace that will live all year long, not just for a few days.

In addition to this cutting edge marketplace, the events team has also developed a world-class virtual conference.

The 30 or so virtual conference sessions will all be recorded and accessible for the full year. We know you can’t sit at your computer all day taking in conference sessions or engaging with suppliers, so making Congress Connect available all year long will certainly help you get access to

those sessions and suppliers you’ve been meaning to get to.

Insurance crisis Snow liability insurance has been almost as crippling to businesses as Covid-19, some might argue more. While there just isn’t a quick and easy way to fix this, LO has been very hard at work to make progress for the snow and ice fighters in the LO community.

Bill 118 recently received royal assent, which will reduce the statute of limitations for someone initiating a slip and fall claim from two years to sixty days. This is a triumphant win for the LO community.

We are continuing to explore alternative insurance models as well, to make it easier for snow and ice removal companies to get and keep their commercial liability insurance.

Covid-19 The LO Covid-19 Task Force, at the time of writing this article, is going to hold its 97th meeting. This dedicated group of volunteers has worked tirelessly to make sure Landscape Ontario is disseminating the right information for you in a relevant and timely manner. By creating the Covid19 Resource Hub on the LO website, we have built a valuable repository of information that the entire industry has made use of.

Just because there’s a pandemic, doesn’t mean Landscape Ontario is slowing down. In fact, we have picked up the pace and are working to offer more value to you than ever before. If you know someone who should be a member, pass this on to them.

Landscape Ontario is only stronger if we’re all in this together. Together we are one

Joe Salemi LO Deputy Executive Director and Director of Operations jsalemi@landscapeontario.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SMART ABOUT SALT

Document, document, document

T

• Training for all personnel.

• Equipment calibration.

• Site planning that includes addressing potential ‘ice build-up areas’ such as low spots in parking lots and leaky downspouts.

• The date and time of all winter maintenance activities.

• Weather and facility conditions: What were the ground temperatures? Was the parking lot full of vehicles?

• The anti-icing and de-icing activities utilized, including any products used.

he science and art of winter maintenance are not readily apparent, which supports the irony for those that believe ensuring safety through the colder months is simple. Indeed, so many people take snow and ice removal for granted, merely thinking it is just a question of shoveling or plowing snow away. There’s nothing simple about taking on the responsibility to help businesses and others stay open when others would like to stay home and wait for a melt. Is there any denying then that winter maintenance professionals are first responders at these times?

The increasing challenges experienced by winter maintenance professionals are driven by two key factors. The first is a poor knowledge of best practices in winter maintenance. The second is the perceptions surrounding liability. Both of these variables play into the other and not always in positive ways.

The knowledge gap and safety concerns are being used to support a wide-variety of conversations and even needed legislative changes. For example, New Hampshire has adopted the Green SnowPro program which provides indemnification from slip and fall claims below the gross negligence threshold for both contractors, facility owners/operators and others that participate in the program. The legal relief offered through the New Hampshire legislation is predicated on professional knowledge and practice.

Participants demonstrate their knowledge through a training and certification process that is required to be put into practice. Putting professionalism into practice, i.e. reasonable efforts to maintain safety, is determined through solid documentation. Among other things, winter maintenance professionals are strongly encouraged to maintain records surrounding the following:

In short, winter maintenance professionals and facility operators should seek to collect and maintain detailed records surrounding efforts to maintain a property. Often, it is the record-keeping that supports a due diligence defense should a slip and fall claim arise Beyond the obvious legal advantages of solid documentation, recordkeeping can also help to build and grow the contractor/ facility owner relationship by demonstrating professional knowledge and practice. For the same reason, documentation can help support procurement efforts.

Lastly, documenting helps to ensure that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being utilized. We know from studies that BMPs positively help to reduce the impact winter maintenance operations have on facilities and the environment, while often maintaining or even improving safety. Documenting winter maintenance efforts is a win-win for winter maintenance contractors.

Those wishing to learn more about the unique programs and services offered by the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) are encouraged to visit www. smartaboutsalt.com, where you can register for training priced at $375 (less than the price of a cup of coffee a day) and “Register Intent to Certify” for $226.

Lee Gould Executive Director, Smart About Salt Council lee.gould@smartaboutsalt.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Silver linings of 2020

W

elcome 2021! I think we’re all hopeful that by the end of this year, Covid protocols will be fading into memory, and we will be picking up where we left off last March in all aspects of our lives. To start this new year, I’d like to offer a retrospective on what I believe are some of the surviving legacies of the pandemic year gone by: A refreshed focus on health and safety: Last April, LO president, Dave Wright said, “We must become safety companies who do landscaping.” Dave was right, and together as a community of professionals, we answered that call.

Covid-19 forced the leaders of every company to look inward and take stock of the processes used to communicate and train health and safety policies and processes. Everyone engaged in conversations around why, how and when PPE and various protocols were to be used.

This provided a lens through which to review how our teams uphold and embrace other company policies (or not). The net effect placed health and safety at the front of our minds, exactly where it belongs.

Being resourceful in finding facts, resources and templates: We found the appropriate conduits of information and facts. Starting with the LO Covid-19 Task Force, and trickling onto every members’ desktop, online became the gateway for how to keep moving forward. Together, we opened channels of communication and mentorship with peers to find the fast track for sourcing PPE, policies, processes and protocols to manage the risks of Covid to staff, customers and the community.

Together, we learned to ignore the rumours and suss out the facts.

Communicating like never before: I think the most important lesson from the pandemic year is Zoom. If you had never used Zoom or attended an online webinar, you’ve likely done so by now. Whatever online video platform you chose, my guess is that it’s transformed your comfort level with being on live on camera in a virtual room with others, or in a sidebar chat.

Who knew we’d be where we are now?

None of us ever thought then that we’d be unable to be back at Congress in person this year. And we’ve adapted fairly well I think.

When I look back at 2019 and early 2020 – it was like pulling teeth without anesthetic trying to get landscapers to meet me online in a video call. Now – it’s no sweat. I’m proud for the steep learning curve you’ve all jumped onto, and how well you’ve adapted. I can only guess at the ways in which these newfound communication platforms have opened up your efficiencies and effectiveness at communicating with your team, your clients and suppliers.

Communication was key throughout the pandemic — especially in the early days – the ‘essential/non-essential’ days. Remember that? And the legacy is your new-found comfort online.

Pivoting and moving forward purposefully: Being nimble and maintaining forward momentum with hope was key to surviving the pandemic — adapt, adapt, adapt. Tomorrow, adapt again. Those of you who embraced that, in all of its weirdness, are the ones who navigated the issues laid at your feet with the least amount of stress and fewest mistakes. Flexibility and creativity ruled the decision-making process.

There’s a lesson in this for us all. Pushing

Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com

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up against something we can’t control is unhelpful, and wildly stressful. Moving quickly to acceptance, assessment and action was the way to move forward.

The countless leaders in our profession stepped up. Too many to name them all here… some shining examples: Many of you listened to Mark Bradley calmly walk you through revising an LMN budget for a worst case scenario to ensure your company survived. Or maybe you heard George Uvari’s "Red, Amber and Green Budget" plan, or Sally Harvey’s weekly update on government programs and changing policies. You may have watched some of LO's Town Hall meetings or attended some of LO's Peer Network Coffee Chats. Maybe you tuned in to some of the countless LO webinars providing expert insights and advice. The LO team were (and still are) incredible!

The truth is that many leaders in our profession came together to help each other and to map a path forward using creativity, trust and empathy when we all needed it the most. It’s these lessons from 2020 that we take forward into 2021: health and safety, resourcefulness, communication, flexibility, creativity, trust, empathy and hope.

When I look back to a year ago, most of us attended Congress. We networked, shook hands, and attended packed info sessions. We laughed, we hugged, we socialized in busy bars and ball rooms.

And while this years’ Congress Connect is very different, I know for sure that we are all much better equipped to adapt and respond to whatever comes our way. We are stronger together.

Bring it on 2021! We’ve got each other’s backs.

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CANADIAN SOLDIERS LIVE FOREVER Join us in planting 2 million trees along the 401 Highway of Heroes, a tribute to the men and women who fought for Canada in our wars, and a living memorial to the 117,000 who died for freedom.

You can participate in honouring our military, protecting the environment and beautifying North America’s most travelled highway. Visit hohtribute.ca or call 905-875-0021 to get involved.

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