September 1, 2019
CNLA News September 2019
CAHRC meetings
At the end of March, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) participated in a number of meetings with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). Victor Santacruz, Anita Heuver and Leslie Sison travelled to Gatineau, Que., for two meetings.
The first was a Labour Market Impact (LMI) Advisory Group Meeting and forecasting update. CAHRC ran an LMI survey a number of years back, but it was time for an update. This survey has been in the works for over a year and is near completion. A national LMI report is expected to be released this August, providing a forecast of labour needs into 2029.
The second day was CAHRC’s Board Meeting and LMI Steering Committee Meeting. This was the last official meeting with CAHRC chair Mary Robinson, who ended her term in June. CAHRC has continued to grow and expand the research, speaking engagements and tools they offer.
During these meetings, Santacruz and Sison set up a private meeting with CAHRC. CNLA has committed to supporting CAHRC for the next three years and will retain its current status as a gold-level sponsor. CNLA is happy to announce there will be updated information for CNLA members regarding the HR Toolkit, which CNLA offered previously to provincial members at a discounted rate of $75.
Nursery worker manual now available
The newly revised nursery worker certification manual is now available online as a training reference. For a nominal cost, nursery owners and their employees will have a repository of invaluable trade resources at their finger-tips.
The manual is comprised of 10 modules: Plant identification; Plant propagation; Integrated pest management; Soil fertility and cultural management; Field harvesting technique; Irrigation scheduling, equipment repair and maintenance; Staff management; Grading, shipping and receiving; Equipment operation and maintenance; and Maintaining nursery structures.
The nursery worker certification test is being revamped to make it more accessible. Meanwhile, provincial associations may use the revised manual to host training workshops for their members. To order the manual, or if you have questions about the certification program, contact the professional development department at CNLA, certification@cnla-acpp.ca, 1-888-446-3499 ext. 8620.
Protected Agriculture Stewardship Committee
An industry-led committee is working to address recent findings of neonicotinoids in surface waters in agricultural regions of Ontario and British Columbia. The group consists of representatives from Flowers Canada Growers, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, B.C. Greenhouse Growers Association, Mushrooms Canada, the Canadian Hort Council, CropLife Canada and the CNLA. This committee’s focus is to guide development of national standards that ensure drench-applied pesticides delivered through irrigation systems are not released into the environment.
Of importance to CNLA members is the committee’s “Protected Agriculture” designation. The committee’s scope is not limited to greenhouse-grown crops, but includes hoop houses, high tunnels and mushroom growing systems. Although impacts to CNLA grower members are expected to be minor, CNLA will maintain a seat on the committee and the Technical Advisory subcommittee to represent nursery systems deemed to be protected agriculture.
A cost-share funding application to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Ag Assurance program has been submitted through the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) to help the Canadian ornamental sector address this matter proactively.
Training benefit
The federal government introduced the Canada Training Benefit in the 2019 budget. This benefit will provide workers with money to help pay for training, offer income support during training and job protection during this period, so workers can take the time they need to keep their skills relevant or updated.
This benefit is an accumulated credit balance available to eligible workers between the ages of 25 and 64. They would build a credit balance of $250 per year, up to a lifetime limit of $5,000.
Full details of the program can be found at https://bit.ly/2YhvQiA.
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is the federation of Canada’s provincial horticultural trade associations. Visit www.cnla-acpp.ca for more information.