Land Stewardship Discussion

Landscape Ontario Board, Chapter, and Sector Group Leadership,

The Landscape Ontario Board of Directors wanted to share with you information about an important topic raised at the Provincial Board of Directors meeting on February 8. Following discussion at the AGM earlier in the day, a motion was made for the association to adopt the Indigenous land stewardship statement as presented at the 2022 Awards of Excellence for future Landscape Ontario hosted events.

Here is the statement that was presented at the beginning of the awards presentation last week:

Landscape Ontario recognizes that its work and the work of its community partners take place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province.

We acknowledge that there are 46 treaties and other agreements that cover the territory now called Ontario. We are thankful to be able to work and live in these territories.

We are thankful to the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people who have cared for these territories since time immemorial and who continue to contribute to the strength of Ontario and to all communities across the province.

Board members in favour of the motion believe the association should make these statements as part of a much larger diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy. Some suggested that if we don’t articulate our inclusiveness, we are standing for the opposite. 

Other board members expressed the opinion that the association should stand by the diversity, inclusion and belonging statement that was passed by the board at a previous meeting. Their view was that when one group is singled out, there is a risk that others will feel excluded.

This is the inclusivity statement passed by the LO Board of Directors: 

Landscape Ontario is a not for profit, volunteer-driven trade association. Dedicated to the advancement of the landscape/horticultural profession. We strive to ensure that we are a collaborative and inclusive organization where people of all  genders, races, religions, nationalities, cultures, sexual orientations, languages, and abilities are welcomed and can feel comfortable, respected, and valued.

Another view was that by making statements that can be viewed as political, the association could polarize the community and alienate some members. 

Ultimately, a motion to table the initial motion until members of the Board of Directors have an opportunity to discuss the issue with their respective chapters and sectors groups was passed. The original motion will be voted on at the April Board of Directors meeting. 

As LO Board members, Chapter Board, and Sector Group leadership you have been asked to bring this respective discussion to your Chapter board and Sector Group to provide direction to your LO Board representative. The minutes of your meeting should capture the result of your discussion.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Drake Nightingale

Landscape Ontario President

Yorkshire Garden Services Inc