LO Provincial Board highlights
The following is a report on the Provincial Board meeting held September 19, 2007 at the LO home office in Milton.
President’s comments
Bob Tubby welcomed visitors Jim Douglas from the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) and introduced Bart Brusse as the new Growers Board representative.
Delegations
Jim Douglas of the ORCGA discussed One-Call legislation the group is working toward. The landscape industry is the number one offender when it comes to underground damages. Less than 45 per cent of landscape contractors call for underground locates. ORGCA’s mission is to enhance public safety and utility infrastructure reliability. There are 18 stakeholders in ORCGA including Union Gas, Bell, Rogers Cable, Hydro One, ESSO and City of Toronto. The group has developed a best practice book.
CNLA report
Gerald Boot represented LO at the CNLA summer conference in Newfoundland. Labour is an issue across the country, the use of off-shore labour was discussed. Alberta is working on a manual for a seasonal worker program for landscape construction. Most provincial associations have set up environmental committees. Canada is hosting the international Skills event in Alberta in 2009. 48 countries will participate.
Canada Blooms update
Jeff Olsen, Gerald Boot, Mark Cullen and Peter Guinane were appointed as the LO reps on the Canada Blooms board. Gerry Ginsberg, the new general manager joined the meeting and discussed partnership opportunities the show is exploring as well as updated the board on plans for feature gardens and market place. Garden Life magazine is building the entrance garden this year. Blooms is working to keep its current audience as well as appeal to a younger crowd. Also, an evening ticket rate has been introduced at $10 to encourage more visitors later in the day.
Nursery Plant Health Action Committee
The board decided to send representation to the Invasive Plant Council meetings in Ontario.
Prosperity Partners
Jacki Hart gave the board an update of her progress. She has sent out a letter to all members asking them to tell her what is most important in their individual business. The answers will help provide a mentorship framework. Her first Prosperity Partner seminar will be November 22 and will be a pilot group.
Georgian Lakelands Chapter
LO member volunteers will be planting the main garden at the Kidd’s Creek restoration on October 13. Chapter members are also involved in a Habitat for Humanity project in Penetanguishine.
