CNLA Newsbrief - August 2008

J u l y - A u g u s t 2 0 0 8CNLA Newsbrief sponsored by:

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: [email protected] | www.canadanursery.com

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Look Inside:CAHRC Project Update•New Labour Mobility Agreement•Plan the work; Work the plan•

Growers Requested Own Use Program•Nursery Certification: it will never be easier or •more affordable!Websites can grow your business •This is why you have insurance!•

SNLA is growing!•CFIA E-Certification•Skills Canada - Toba, Toba, Toba•New CHT Test Success•LNS announces New Executive Director •

CNLA Green Industry News!July - August 2008 Vol. 17 Issue 5

Following an exhaustive search of many qualified candidates, the CNLA hiring committee (comprised of industry volunteers and staff) announced that the Landscape Sector Priorities Specialist has been hired as a part of the CNLA team.

Liz Klose will be responsible for a broad range of issues which include HR training and development, Standards of Practice, Professional Development and accountability on public projects, as well the opportunities the landscape sector may be able to take advantage of: areas such as Brown Field Site developments, Water Conservation Measures, and Energy Efficient Design. She will report directly to the Landscape Committee of CNLA, who will provide the focus and framework for the initiatives she is mandated to carry out.Liz Klose comes to us from the Niagara

Parks Commission School of Horticulture. Liz joined the faculty at the School of Horticulture and Botanical Gardens as an instructor and garden curator in 1991. She is the Past chair of the Bursary and Scholarship Selection Committee, the Present chair of the Ontario Parks Association Foundation, and a member of the Perennial Plant Association, the Herb Society of America, the Ontario Horticulture Education Council, Landscape Ontario, the Professional Landcare Network, and the Alumni Association of the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture Foundation.

She received the 2006 College Horticulture Educator of the Year Award during Landscape Ontario Awards of Landscape Excellence. The awards program was held during Landscape Ontario’s Congress tradeshow – held in

January 2007 in Toronto. The award was in recognition of Klose’s many years of support of horticulture at the college level, her involvement with the Ontario Horticulture Education Council and with Landscape Ontario, and her work in helping initiate, with school colleagues, the first college Certified Horticultural Technician Test at NPC.

Co-author of two gardening books, Roses for Ontario and Best Garden Plants for Ontario, Klose is also a regular contributor to print media. She is a frequent guest speaker at schools and industry associations, and for local, provincial and international garden and horticultural societies.

CNLA HiresLandscape Priorities Manager

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Industry NewsCAHRC Project UpdateCNLA is actively involved in several projects through the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), here are some updates on those projects as related to our industry.

Labour Market Information Research on Recruitment and RetentionProject Dates: May 2007 – May 2009 Collecting up-to-date labour market information to understand the complexity and scope of labour needs across Canada – by region and by commodity – so CAHRC can determine where workers are needed the most, and identify alternative sources of labour and strategies to gain access to these sources.

Recent Progress: More than 480 telephone surveys and on-line interviews were conducted with farmers and agriculture employers to add context to the labour market information data collected at the beginning of this project. For example, CAHRC sought information from employers about anticipated hiring plans; vacancies, and the ability to fill them; future labour requirements by occupation type; and recruitment methods, challenges and barriers.

Fifty key informant interviews were also conducted with individuals from agricultural associations, businesses and government agencies to provide additional scope and perspective to labour market issues.

NEXT STEPS: Surveys and interviews are being analyzed. Combined with the labour market information gleaned from the literature review, the results of this analysis will be added to an agricultural labour supply and demand model and matched against demographic data, region, size of operation and commodity type.

....continued on pg. 3.

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Executive Board:Michael Murray - NLPresident

Christene LeVatte, CLP - NSVice-President Paul Olsen - ONPast President, Succession Chair

Bill Stensson - ONSecond Vice President, Growers Canada Chair

Cary van Zanten - BCTreasurer

Directors:Harold Deenen, CLP - ONHuman Resources Co-Chair

Jim Wotherspoon - ABLANTA Representative

Bill Hardy, CLP - BCHuman Resources Co-Chair

Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BCLandscape Canada Chair

Vic Krahn, CHT - SKGovernment Liaison Chair, SNLA Representative, COHA Chair

Gerald Boot, CLP - ONLOHTA Representative

Doug Conrad, CHT, CLD, CLP - NSLNSHTA Representative

Paul Jensen - QC AQPP Representative

Bruce McTavish - BCNAPPO Chair

Anthony O’Neill - NLGarden Centres Canada Chair, LNL Representative

Philip Ronald, Ph. D - MBResearch Chair

Owen Vanstone - MBLMB Representative

Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ONInsurance Chair

Peter Levelton - BCEnvironment Chair, BCLNA Representative

Darrell Nameth, CLP - NBMember Services Chair, LNBHTA Representative Phil Paxton, CHT, CLP - ABNational Certification Chair

Staff: Victor Santacruz, CAEExecutive [email protected]

Joseph Salemi, CAEMember Services [email protected]

Joel Beatson, CAE, CLPProfessional & Business Development [email protected]

Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPMMinor Use/IPM [email protected]

Rita WeerdenburgGrowers [email protected]

Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr)Landscape Priorities [email protected]

Lydia Couture-ComtoisExecutive [email protected]

Julia RicottoneCertification [email protected]

Rebecca WetselaarAtlantic Region [email protected]

Alanna WolfHortProtect Marketing [email protected]

David ForeroPrairies Region [email protected]

Agnes ZawartkaMember Services [email protected]

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by:Harmony Printing50 Woodbine Downs BoulevardToronto, ON M9W 5R2


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Landscape Manitoba Green Newsletter/CNLA

New Labour Mobility Agreement In a landmark deal between the provinces, Canada’s premiers have now agreed to remove the barriers that make it difficult to near impossible for employees to work in one province and live in another.

This was pushed by British Columbia and Alberta, the two provinces with the direst labour shortages at the current time. The deal urges provinces to remove residency requirements and to begin work on standardizing occupational standards and job qualifications. A $5 million penalty for non-compliance has also been included to serve as a disincentive for provinces that have hindered movement in the past. The provinces are scheduled to harmonize job qualifications at their next meeting in August 2009.

The landscape sector is well positioned for this news with the upcoming application for Red Seal status; all journeypersons will be able to enjoy enhanced mobility. Also, the recent update of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) for landscape horticulturist means that industry already has an agreed upon standard. Not to mention the international standard CNLA supports and administers through the Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) program.

....continued from pg. 2.

Inventory Database for Gap Analysis of Learning Programs Project Dates: May 2007 – November 2008 Gathering information on available agriculture training and learning programs across Canada, and the supply and demand for these programs, so we can determine and address the training needs of specific regions.

Recent Progress: A total of 380 employers completed a survey on agricultural training programs, and more than 1,000 training courses were gathered from the surveys of training providers. Members of the advisory group for this project and their respective commodity organizations were instrumental in encouraging employers to complete the survey.

NEXT STEPS: Survey results are being analyzed to identify the opportunities and gaps in agriculture education. This information will be included in the final report so the Council and its partners know which regions and agriculture commodity groupings have the most pressing training needs. Work continues on the development of an on-line searchable database of Canada’s available training programs.

Pilot Project: Occupational Standards and Learning Tools for the Ornamental Sector Project Dates: September 2007 – October 2009 Increasing and standardizing the professional status of workers in the ornamental sector through the review and validation of the essential skills profile and national occupational standard for the Landscape Horticulturist.

Recent Progress: The National Occupational Standard and Essential Skills profile of a Landscape Horticulturist have been finalized and translated. The publication was to be printed and posted on the Council’s website in June. In addition, the Task Learning Source Report outlining where occupational tasks for landscape horticulturists are best learned has been completed, as well as a national occupational standard and non-apprenticeship course testing requirements comparison report.

NEXT STEPS: The next phase of the project will involve the development of learning tools designed specifically for on-the-job-training in order to improve the industry’s ability to deliver appropriate training directly in the workplace.

For more information please visit http://www.cahrc-ccrha.ca.

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Certification Corner

The Skills Canada competition in Calgary this May is best described as ‘Olympian’. Olympian in the staging, the event includes opening and closing ceremonies, complete with flag bearers, uniforms, and chants, including my favourite from Team Manitoba of “Toba, Toba, Toba!’’

Olympian in the effort to stage an event of this scale, hundreds of competitors, hundreds more officials and judges, friends and family to support the young people competing and the audiences that came from schools across southern Alberta. The Landscape Gardening competition, the only one to be held outside, held it’s own unique challenges mostly to do with the incredible amounts of rain fall in the days leading up to the event (Calgary received ¼ of its annual rainfall in the 5 days before, including the first day of competition).Olympian in the effort of the teams competing for their home provinces, six in all, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Each team of two had 12 hours, over two days to complete a landscape installation that included a variety of elements including preparing the base materials, installing an S curve interlocking paver walkway and timber pergola, placing natural stone and installing a large variety of plant material as per the design. They

were judged by members from industry against a variety of criteria including quality and work practice indicators. So it wasn’t just how it ended up looking, but how they got to the finished product. Teams dealt with delays and lack of tools, complications due to weather, and work commitments threatening to break up teams.

Olympian in the accomplishment, in the end all teams were able to complete their projects, with the sun finally showing its face in time for the final push. The crowd, and judges, coaches and officials cheered loudly as the last fifteen minutes ticked away and the level of activity approached a frenzied pace. In the end team Manitoba took its first ever Gold medal in Landscape Gardening, Konrad and Thomas Zinn showed an amazing level of technical skill, teamwork, and planning to bring home the hardware. The Silver medal went to Team Ontario (Brian Bailey & Erin Van Dooren), and the Bronze to Team Quebec (Caroline Tanguay & Hugo Parent).

Congratulations should go to all the competitors, each had their hurdles to face and each in their own way overcame them. With young people like this, our industry surely has a golden future.

(pictured above Konrad & Thomas Zinn)

New CHT Test SuccessWith BC and ON both having held their first CHT tests of the year in July and the first tests in Canada under the new test structure we are proud to report it as a very successful improvement for all involved.

What is obvious from the early indications of candidate results is that the test has not gotten any easier as some had feared. The CHT evaluation continues to set a clear bar for the combination of knowledge and skill in the landscape industry. The new scoring system that has all stations based on a maximum 100 possible points, creates a clearer understanding by both judges and candidates and the addition of technical and safety disqualifications has ensured that ‘fatal’ oversights result in an automatic failure.

The new more specialized classifications generally have led to better scheduling of the test day. This means that candidates and judges spend less time waiting, which respects the busy lives of all involved. The additional time given at each station also makes the pressure to complete a station on time a little less stressful. It also ensures that candidates are more able to put forward their best effort on every station. Remember, the certification process runs on the process being able to accurately distinguish between the truly qualified and those that are not at the standard.

Congratulations to Krista Manton of BCLNA and Ashleigh Woodhall of Landscape Ontario for the fantastic job with the new test, your lessons learned will only continue to help improve CHT sites in the future.

Skills Canada Toba, Toba, Toba


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The first step to any project is to establish your plan of action, why should it be any different when applied at a larger scale, your business. Many small businesses believe they are too small for strategic planning. The truth is no matter how large or small your operation it can benefit from the strategic planning process.Classic strategic planning development covers the following key areas:

Vision •Mission •Values and beliefs •Strategic goals and objectives •Strategies to action plans •

The goal of strategic planning is to develop a long-term (3–5 years) plan that maximizes profits through building a sustainable, competitive advantage over other companies that serve the same market. Because the market and competitors constantly change, this plan should be reviewed and updated yearly — it is not something forever cast in stone. The strategy must be implementable and fit with the

company’s organizational culture. “Strategy provides the overall foundation from which to develop the managerial capabilities of the firm. However, it is a part of a much larger set of managerial constructs that makes the strategy alive in the organization. These constructs are the organizational structure, which permits the orderly assignment of the critical tasks of the organization to its workforce; the business processes, which allow for a specific ordering of the work activities in an effective manner; the control and motivational systems, which carefully monitor the performance of the firm using relevant and contemporary measures; and the organizational culture, which establishes the set of values and beliefs of the firm and defines the rules of the organization’s individual behavior. The modern term to label these integrating capabilities is organizational architecture, which includes the formal structure, the design of work practices, the nature of the informal organization or operating style, and the process of selection, socialization, and development of people.”

Congrats Recent Cert Grads!First Name Last Name ProvinceSusanne McKenzie, CLD ON Matt Legroulx, CHT BCVictoria Dore, CHT BCRaegen Colby, CHT BC

Typically, there are two types of plans a company will use to map out its future, the first type flowing logically into the creation of the second.Strategic plans describe the overall direction required to achieve the company’s mission. These have a three-year to five-year perspective.

Tactical or business plans describe the overall activities, measurable outcomes, responsibilities, and targeted completion dates required to succeed during a relatively short period (usually one year).

The body of this article was taken from the introduction to strategic planning from the Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) study series module of the same name. For more information on this and other sections of the CLP study series please visit www.clp.canadanursery.com or call 1-888-446-3499.

Hax, Arnoldo., Majluf, Nicolas. (1996). The Strategy Concept and Process: A Pragmatic Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

As of August 1, 2008, CNLA has reduced the retest fee for the CLP program to $45 per section. Register now for CLP exams coming up this fall and winter!

Plan the work;Work the plan

New Retest Fee for CLP!

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Growers CornerCertification des pépinières : Ce ne sera jamais plus facile ni moins coûteux!L’association canadienne des pépiniéristes et des paysagistes (ACPP) a travaillé au développement d’un programme de certification phytosanitaire pour les pépinières. Suite à la hausse des espèces invasives et aux nombreuses régulations et quarantaines de l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) un programme de certification phytosanitaire basé sur un système de contrôle de la qualité devient de plus en plus en demande pour réduire les risques. En gros, une certification phytosanitaire est une procédure de contrôle qui se justifie d’elle-même.

Devenir certifié en 2008 se justifiera aussi tout seul, surtout financièrement.

Grâce au financement du programme pour l’avancement du secteur canadien de l’agriculture et de l’agroalimentaire (PASCAA) d’Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada, l’ACPP a non seulement pu développer un programme de certification phytosanitaire pour le mouvement intérieur approuvé par l’ACIA, mais a aussi été capable d’organiser des ateliers de formations pour les pépiniéristes. Plus de 120 pépinières et de 200 participants ont assisté à ces ateliers de 2 jours qui ont eu lieu au début de 2008.

Maintenant, grâce au support continuel du PASCAA, une deuxième série de consultations se tiendra afin d’aider les pépinières dans la préparation de leur manuel de certification. Les pépiniéristes qui arriveront préparées pour ces rencontres devraient pouvoir soumettre leur manuel à l’institut Canadien de certification des pépinières à la fin de la journée de formation.

Intéressez à participer? Visiter le site Internet www.cleanplants.ca pour plus de détails. Les ateliers sont offerts aux premiers inscrits. Il ne sera jamais plus simple et moins coûteux de devenir certifié.

Earlier this year, CFIA consulted with all stakeholders across Canada about a new electronic phytosanitary certification they intend to pilot in the spring of 2009. Already many years in the development phase, it was the intent of CFIA to gain a better understanding of the specific needs of the various sectors prior to the launch of their pilot program, scheduled for the spring of 2009. The following article is based on the presentation made by Patrice Sinave, manager of CFIA’s Plant Health Information Systems.

When plants are shipped between countries, it is the responsibility of the exporting country’s plant protection organization to ensure the shipments meet the requirements of the importing country. Within Canada, it is the role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to conduct facility certification inspections or commodity inspections prior to the issuance of a phytosanitary certificate at time of export. With the increasing complexity of foreign phytosanitary requirements, coupled with increased volume of trade and security requirements, over time this has become very labour-intensive.

The solution is CFIA’s proposed e-certification system. In short, e-certification is a web-based tool that allows CFIA clients to request and receive plant health certification services electronically. Through the use of technology, the process of

obtaining certificates and other import and export documents, and the electronic transmission of these documents whenever possible will help to improve the timeliness, security and effectiveness of import and export trade.

Current users of CFIA plant health services will have the opportunity to register as e-clients. Users will create an e-account, and a unique password will allow them secure access to their e-accounts. Applications will be electronically submitted and confirmed automatically by e-mail. All transactions and exchanges of information will be conducted through the Government of Canada’s Secure Channel.

A further benefit to users is that profiles can be stored and used at a later date, which will expedite the submission of repetitive tasks. Registration as an e-client will be voluntary and free. Current users of CFIA plant health services that do not wish to participate will not be required to do so.

The e-certification process applies only to the sending and receiving of documentation; CFIA plant health inspection staff will continue to deliver on-site inspection services to facilitate and authorize shipments in accordance with CFIA or foreign country requirements.

E-certification is part of a larger international initiative to expedite safe and secure transfer of plant health

...continued on page 7.

CFIA E-Certification


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Same bloodline. Smaller offspring.Meet the next generation of Cat® machines. A full line of Skid Steers, Mini Excavators and Work Tools built genuine Cat tough for all your residential, landscaping and general construction needs. Be part of the legacy. To learn more, see your local Cat dealer, visit www.cat.com/landscaping or call 1-888-OWN-A-CAT.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos and “Caterpillar Yellow,” as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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Nursery Certification: It will never be easier or more affordable!For the past several years, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) has been working towards making phytosanitary certification available to the nursery industry. Driven by the increase in invasive pests and industry’s exposure to regulatory and quarantine action by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the systems approach to phytosanitary certification is increasingly recognized as the most effective method of mitigating these risks. In short, phytosanitary certification is a process of due diligence that just makes sense.

Becoming certified in 2008 will make good financial sense as well. Thanks to funding received through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program, the CNLA was able not only to develop the CFIA-approved Domestic Phytosanitary Certification Program (DPCP) but to offer industry workshops as well. In total, over 120 nursery companies and 200 owners and employees participated in these two-day sessions in early 2008. Now, thanks to continued funding from the federal ACAAF program, a new set of consultation sessions, specifically designed to assist nurseries in the preparation of their DPCP manuals, will also be offered. Nurseries that come prepared should be ready to submit their manuals to the Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI) at the conclusion of the one-day sessions.

Interested? Check out the CNCI website for more details (www.cleanplants.ca). Consultations dates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

...continued from page 6.

...certification documentation. It is expected to facilitate trade by enhancing security and reducing potential fraud related to this documentation. Already, the US, New Zealand and Australia are also working towards e-certification, and all protocols will be in line with the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) standards for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

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Retailer’s Corner

Plant Publicity HollandGarden Centres Canada is pleased to inform that Plant Publicity Holland has agreed to sponsor the garden centre committee of CNLA. Plant Publicity Holland’s aim is to share information about plants, production techniques, landscaping trends, research results and marketing programs with nursery trades professionals in other countries. The objective of the Perennials Marketing Award contest is to encourage retailers of perennial plants to create an outstanding perennial merchandising display in a prominent area of their retail garden centre and then send in the results. By participating in the Perennial Marketing Contest, the winning garden centres get a chance to visit other countries and an international recognition.

For more information on the Perennial Marketing Contest and PPH, please visit:http://www.perennialandnurserynews.com.

New Member Rates ThroughChase Paymentech Solutions

CNLA provides a multitude of invaluable benefits to its members. This is why CNLA partnered with Chase Paymentech Solutions - to provide you with affordable and reliable payment processing solutions. As long as you are a member of CNLA, you will receive competitive processing rates, which have been negotiated on your behalf and are guaranteed as part of your membership.

As you are aware, your Merchant Discount Rate is largely representative of the fees levied by Visa and MasterCard for the processing of your credit card transactions. Recent and ongoing changes by Visa and MasterCard have resulted in increases and restructuring of the cost for processing to all Canadian credit card processors alike.

Effective October 1, 2008, Chase Paymentech Solutions will implement a new pricing structure that will account for better ongoing changes in the Payment Card Industry. Your new pricing will better reflect the manner in which your business accepts and processes Visa and MasterCard transactions.

What is changing? Visa Canada Inc. has increased its assessment fee which will be reflected as an increase to your Visa Merchant Discount Rate. As a result of new MasterCard interchange levels and rates, there may be a change to your MasterCard Merchant Discount Rate.

Discount RateChase Paymentech Solutions is introducing a new line item to your statement that will be identified as “Non-Qualified Interchange”. This will be implemented for Non-Qualified Visa and MasterCard transactions, representing the incremental interchange costs incurred in processing such transactions. (A non-qualified transaction is one that is not a standard transaction for your business).

GlossaryMDR – Merchant Discount RateNQ – Non-qualifying - Any transactions that fall outside of the above-qualified category can attract a higher processing cost. There are existing and new card types being introduced into the marketplace that attracts different processing rates. These can include a variety of payment cards and processing methods, such as:

International cards •Designated premium cards (e.g. Visa •

Infinite/MC high spend program) Non-swiped transactions •Internet transactions – card not •

present

Simple ways to manage your costsTo keep your payment processing costs as low as possible, try these tips:

Close batches daily and do not leave •any open for longer than 3 days.

Always swipe or dip the credit/debit •cards for authorizations instead of entering the card numbers manually.

As always, CNLA staff is available should you have any questions. We do, however, suggest that members contact Chase Paymentech Solutions for questions or concerns to your specific account (1-877-552-5533).

VISA RatesDisc Rate +Assess Fee =MDR NQ Trans Fee

1.66 0.06 1.72 .030

MasterCardDisc Rate +Assess Fee =MDR NQ Trans Fee

1.75 0.064 1.81 .030


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Landscaper’s Corner TSSA’s GuidelinesAs per TSSA’s gaseous fuels regulations, all underground piping must be locatable. While a homeowner should be asked for locations, they may not have accurate and complete information. If unsure of any underground line, contact a private locator (under ‘Cable Detection, Installation and Splicing’ in the Yellow Pages or Google ‘Private Locates’ in your area).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Unknown to the local utility, there may also be underground residential supply lines – for a pool heater or barbeque – installed by a contractor at the request or under contract with the homeowner.

As a final note on locates: markers only indicate the presence of a pipeline. They should not be used or relied upon to determine the exact location of a pipeline. With that in mind, you must carefully hand dig within three feet (or one meter) of those markings as required by law under TSSA’s Guidelines for Excavations (downloadable from www.safetyinfo.ca).

Even if you happen to cause what seems to be only minor damage to a buried pipeline, notify the utility company immediately. A gouge, scrape, dent or crease to the pipe or coating may cause a future break or leak, so don’t cover it up. Do not attempt to squeeze off the break or control the flow of gas – you could cause an explosion. Applying pressure to the pipe could potentially cause a static spark, ignite the gas and create a catastrophic explosion.

It is imperative that the utility company, and only those qualified to do so, inspect and repair any damage to the line – for everyone’s safety. If you become aware of such an incident or potential incident, please contact your local utility immediately.

With your help, we’ll keep the gas flowing – safely in the pipe underground where it belongs. You dig?

If you have any questions about this or other propane safety issues, feel free to contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) would like to advise those who excavate, or contract with a building owner to excavate or perform ground disturbances, to look for any potential sources of fuel usage on the property.

If you see a barbeque, pool heater, gas fire pit, intra-red heater or any other indication of fuel use, ascertain the fuel type and source. If the source is not apparent (such as a cylinder at the appliance), investigate further prior to excavation. You could be over a fuel pipe and hitting one could be disastrous. While propane is safe - when sealed tight inside that pipe - it possesses a few fiery properties.

Also known as liquefied petroleum gas, propane is extremely flammable. If a leak occurs, even though what may seem to be a minor scrape of a pipe from a shovel or backhoe, it can spread long distances (being heavier than air), and ignite, if near a flame or spark, causing a fire or deadly explosion. Underground pipelines are designed to keep the gas safely inside. In order to stay that way, there are certain rules for digging.

If planning to excavate, contact your local utility for the location of all nearby pipelines. A simple call will quickly and easily get your underground utility lines marked. Check the paperwork left by the locator to ensure it covers your dig area, and make sure you understand all the markings. If not, discuss it with the locator.

In the fast paced ever changing business world we operate in, it’s often difficult to sit down and think of innovative Marketing ideas to grow your profit. One of the best marketing tools you can invest in these days is a website. You may be thinking “but I’m a landscaper, does my company need a website?”. The answer is a resounding YES.

Benefits and Advantages of having a business website:Increased Potential Customer Base: • Any website presence broadens the market reach or

potential customer base for your business. Easier and Cheaper Advertising: • Practically every business distributes some sort of

information...product sell sheets, technical specifications, catalogs, order forms, proposals.Business Information is Always Availability: • With a website, you’re never closed for

business, or out of cell phone range again. Your website gives your customers access to your business 24/7 with very little increase in overhead or employment costs.

Increased Credibility and Brand Integrity: • Your website is an opportunity to tell potential customers who you are, what you are about and why they should trust you. It’s also a great venue to have beautiful images of your work.

Customers Require It: • People judge a company’s credibility and ability to provide the services they require based on your web presence.

Philippa Pottage is Associate Marketing Manager for NEBS Business Products, a partner with CNLA offering savings to members. To see how NEBS can help your landscaping business grow online go to: http://nebsmarketingstore.ca/grow/web_services. CNLA Perfect Partner Code is 19959.

Websites can grow your business

Notice RegardingUnderground Pipelines

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Association News

Landscape Nova Scotia has undergone some exciting changes over the past few months. The association is happy to announce that it has moved into the new office space at Burnside Industrial Park and a new executive director has been selected to manage the LNSHTA office.

Pam Woodman comes to the LNSHTA with over 15 years of experience working with not-for-profit organizations, government and industry as a researcher, project co-coordinator and a graphic designer. She comes to LNSHTA from the Environmental Services Association of Nova Scotia (ESANS) as the Program Director where she has worked for the past 12 years. Her position with this association has given her experience in organizing fundraising activities, training initiatives, securing funding to sustain the association,

SNLA is growing!

SNLA is pleased to report that the Job Costing seminar with George Urvari, which took place at the Saskatoon Inn on Thursday, June 19th was a great success. Suppliers, landscapers, landscape designers, construction companies and representatives from the local government filled the room.

This event has been a key ingredient that will help improve the presence and image of the association along with the launch of the association’s website (www.SNLA.ca) and the quarterly newsletter (SNLA News).

Based on the surveys collected during the event, members and non-members suggested having more seminars like this in the near future would greatly benefit their networking connections. This is an indication of the interest from the industry in being active members in the association. SNLA is now planning future events throughout the province. These events would have a purpose of providing networking and educational opportunities for members and non-members throughout Saskatchewan.

If you have any questions about upcoming events, please contact David Forero – Prairies Region Coordinator at [email protected] or 1-866-746-1337.

LNS AnnouncesNew Executive Director

event co-ordination, member services, government relations, public awareness, program development and implementation and both internal and external communications. Pam has been designated as a Registered Professional Manager and is a member of the Canadian Professional Managers Association.

Pam will be a huge asset to the growth and success of Landscape Nova Scotia and believe that her leadership and management skills in addition to her knowledge of our industry will benefit the entire membership. Pam’s position will begin August 1st, 2008.


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11

This Is Why You Have Insurance!For those of you who participate in the HortProtect Group Life and Health Insurance programs, you know that August is that time of year when the insurers (ManuLife and ACE INA Life) review the rates/experience/demographics and make any changes that are necessary.

The process begins in May and the CNLA Insurance Committee meets a couple of times to review with your benefits broker (myself) the proposals being made by the insurance companies. We send a general information letter to you with your July billing notice and then a more detailed renewal letter comes with your August premium billing.

We all think of our group insurance benefits as being important for the Extended Health, Drugs and Dental coverage’s but the most valuable protection is the Life and Long Term Disability Insurance plans.

In the past 5 years there have been nearly $1 Million in life claims paid out – 10 individual claims alone in 2007/2008.

Long Term Disability payments over 5 years totaled $1,948,328. There have been 81 insured’s on LTD during this time. Right now there are 41 member employees disabled collecting a total of $84,722 monthly.

You may be surprised to learn that of the $2.8 Million in Health/Drug claims paid out over the past 12 months $437,517 were for 21 insured’s who each had Health/Drug claims over $10,000. The highest for one person was $36,941. – This Is Why You Have Insurance!!

These claims are in addition to whatever was covered by their provincial health plan and none of them are out-of-country emergency medical claims – they were all incurred at home.

When you are on the CNLA HortProtect Group Insurance Plan, you have 100% unlimited out-of-country (and province) emergency medical and travel assistance coverage. One insured was very happy for that when their California emergency heart surgery bill amounted to nearly $150,000 U.S.

Critical Illness insurance is one of the covered items in the Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) plan. It provides a tax-free payment to the insured

up to $10,000 if he/she survives a “critical illness” (i.e. cancer, heart attack, stroke and kidney disease) for 30 days. We have paid out 10 claims on this benefit in the past 1-1/2 years (Critical Illness only came into force 2 years ago). There is also Optional Critical Illness that any covered employee can apply and pay for to get coverage up to $50,000 regardless of your health condition.

As you review your group insurance with this renewal keep some of these points in

mind. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

W. Michael Thomas is a partner with The Investment Guild – endorsed provider of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Group Insurance Program:

The Investment GuildHortProtect Insurance

1-800-459-899011 Allstate Parkway, Suite 100

Markham, ON L3R [email protected]

Greenstar’s new lawn & garden catalogue is home to more than 75 brands, plus: • Items not available from any other Canadian distributor • Innovative products such as AeroGarden & Sea Soil • Eco-friendly options such as Earth Safe™ fertilizers and Elimaweed™, all natural weed control spray • Registered corn gluten, low maintenance lawn seed and 24 other lawn care products • 75 bird feeders, houses and seed mixes • Our largest giftware section ever

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[email protected]

www.getgreenstar.com

Looking for something new?




Watch for special announcements at:CanWest Hort Show,

Garden Expo & FIHOQ

Request your [email protected]

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Upcoming Certification DatesBritish ColumbiaCHT (Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance, Retail, Interior)October 10-11, 2008 – Langley, BCOctober 17-18, 2008 – Victoria, BC

CLD/CLPOctober 10, 2008 – Langley, BCOctober 17, 2008 - Victoria, BC

AlbertaCHT (Written only)November 20, 2008 - Edmonton, AB

CLD/CLPNovember 20, 2008 - Edmonton, AB

ManitobaCHT (Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation)September 11-12, 2008 – Red River College, Winnipeg, MB

OntarioCHT (Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintanence)September 25-26 – Niagara Falls, ONOctober 9, 2008 – Milton, ON (Retest only)December 12, 2008 – Milton, ON (Written retest only)

CHT (Retail)August 20-21, 2008 – Milton, ONOctober 16, 2008 – Milton, ON (Retest only)December 12, 2008 – Milton, ON (Written retest only)

CLD/CLPDecember 8, 2008 – Milton, ON

Atlantic CanadaCHT (Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance, Interior Landscaping)November 24, 2008 – Halifax, NS (Written only)

CHT (Retail)August 22, 2008 – Moncton, NB (Retest only)November 24, 2008 – Halifax, NS (Written only)

CLD/CLPNovember 24, 2008 – Halifax, NS

Documents

CNLA Newsbrief - August 2008