Over the last few months, Landscape Ontario’s Provincial Board of Directors and staff have been working hard to drive the association’s strategic priorities forward. The hallmark of a great association is its ability to connect the tactics (operations) and activities it engages in on a day to day basis with the strategy set out by its stakeholders.

Landscape Ontario is a member-driven organization, where members lead the strategic priorities of the organization. It’s our mandate as staff to take the vision of the members and translate it into action.

We are laser focused on connecting the landscape horticulture community through Landscape Ontario’s chapters and sector groups. To do this, we have invested in trained event professionals who are working hard to put on the best events possible in partnership with those groups. I hope to see you at a Landscape Ontario chapter event soon.

Were you one of the nearly 13,000 people to visit Landscape Ontario’s Congress trade show and conference? Despite a few snow events throughout the week, we had a full parking lot each day of the show and all of the ticketed events were completely sold out. I was inspired and energized to see our community connecting with one another, learning from each other, building on existing relationships and forging new ones.

Our government relations activities have increased quite a bit with two provincial government files. As you may know, Landscape Ontario is urging the provincial government to make adjustments to the Occupiers Liability Act to equalize the playing field for liability between property owners and managers, and snow and ice management contractors. With all of the liability risk currently on snow and ice management contractors there is a fear of litigation for slip and falls. As a result, snow and ice management contractors are using (or are being pressured by property owners/managers to use) more salt than required. With slip and fall cases on the rise over the last five years we have seen insurance rates skyrocket. And in many cases, we have seen contractors unable to get liability insurance for snow and ice management. Landscape Ontario’s Snow and Ice Management Sector Group has been working tirelessly to advance their mandate. They have developed a training and accreditation program to go along with proposed legislative changes. We hope to have more to report soon.

We are active in several municipal government files as well, including advocating for phase outs of two-stroke engine equipment over full bans. We are also working with some municipalities on contractor license requirements, permitting processes and pool drawing requirements.

We continue to focus on driving the priorities of the landscape horticulture trades forward, making it easier for you to do business and thrive in Ontario. We have many events planned this spring and I would love to see you at one. Bring your employees and a peer in the community. As our president, Ed Hansen says, “we’re stronger together!”

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