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MosaiCanada 150/Gatineau 2017 in production thanks to gardeners from across Canada

MosaiCanada 150/Gatineau 2017, a Canada 150 project funded by Canadian Heritage, the Government of Quebec and the Ville de Gatineau, will be held from July 1^st to October 15, 2017 in Jacques Cartier Park, a National Capital Commission park, partner of the project.

The project, under the leadership of Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montreal, consists of creating mosaïculture artworks as a major attraction/event to celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary.

The mosaïculture structures will celebrate Canadian Confederation, the Founding Peoples, the First Nations and our Canadian Heritage

Wayne McCutcheon, volunteer gardener from St. Albert in preparing the Wild Rose that will represent Alberta at the Exhibit in Gatineau and will be displayed in St. Albert in 2018

Gardeners from across Canada are at work in greenhouses of Ferme d’Auteuil located at 3185 Avenue des Perron, Laval Québec, the flowers in the mosaïculture artwork representing their respective province or territory.

Mosaïculture is a most spectacular horticultural technique that combines the following different art forms:

• sculpture for the structure,
• paint for the palette of colours, and
• horticulture as the means of creating living and changing artworks with plants.

Mosaïculture structures representing the provinces and territories of Canada: these mosaïculture artworks have been designed in consultation with each province and territory.

After the exhibition, the structures will return in their province or territory to be displayed in 2018.

·        Yukon: Prospector – City of Whitehorse

·        Northwest Territories: Muskoxes – City of Yellowknife

·        Nunavut: Drum Dancer – Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association

·        British Columbia: Chief of the Undersea World (Bill Reid’s Killer Whale) – City of Coquitlam

·        Alberta: Wild Rose – City of St. Albert

·        Saskatchewan: Mosaïculture Artwork in development

·        Manitoba: Polar Bear – Assiniboine Park Conservancy

·        Ontario: Niagara Gateway – Niagara Parks Commission

·        Québec: Mosaïculture Artwork in development

·        New Brunswick: Horse in field – New-Brunswick Botanical Garden

·        Nova Scotia: Fisherman and dory – Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

·        Prince Edward Island: Red Fox – City of Charlottetown

·        Newfoundland and Labrador: Puffins – Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden

The theme of the Gatineau exhibit will reflect 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada, represented by some 40 different structures. Admission to theMOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017 exhibit in Jacques-Cartier Park will be free.

“MosaiCanada 150/Gatineau 2017 will demonstrate Canadian savoir-faire and the creativity of the team at Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal, as well as of the representatives of the provinces, territories and our country’s indigenous peoples.  It is sure to amaze the hundreds of thousands of expected visitors.  For the 150^th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, we want to offer a spectacular, one-of-a-kind bouquet – a bouquet like Canada itself”

–         Lise Cormier, Executive Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer
Mosaïcultures internationales de Montreal

After a delay, on Wednesday Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveiled a largely status quo budget as the Liberal government attempts to prepare for policy changes in the U.S.

Among the announcements that could impact employers were an option for parents to receive EI parental benefits over an extended period of up to 18 months at a lower benefit rate of 33 per cent of average weekly earnings. EI parental benefits would continue to be available at the existing benefit rate of 55 per cent over a period of up to 12 months.

For employers, a review of maternity and parental top up policies would make sense as the extended period at the lower rate could have an impact on the top up amounts. Employer costs for these leaves could increase as a result of this change.

Canadians can expect to see a five-cent increase in EI premium rates in fiscal 2018 -19, up to $1.68 per $100 of insurable earnings, with some of that additional premium being used to fund expanded access to benefits.

In addition, as anticipated, Wednesday’s budget did not include a tax on employer-sponsored health and dental benefit premium.

As expected, the Liberals also announced that it would be phasing out the Canada Savings Bond program.

March 14, 2017 – The Alberta Government has made available the details of the proposed rebate on the carbon levy. Full details can be found here:  http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/general/progserv.nsf/All/pgmsrv460

As previously announced this applies only to greenhouses heated with natural gas or propane, and only for eligible production area. Submission of Applications will be accepted during the following Application submission dates:

1. July 1, 2017 – August 15, 2017
2. January 1, 2018 – February 15, 2018
3. July 1, 2018 – August 15, 2018
4. January 1, 2019 – February 15, 2019

To apply a grower must fill out the application form, including a calculation for eligible fuel use.  Provide invoices for natural gas or propane for the application period and complete a mandatory producer survey.  Please note at this time the survey link only works in Internet Explorer.  Forms can be submitted by email or regular mail as per the application.

To be eligible, you must have a commercial greenhouse in Alberta with sales of eligible crops exceeding $20,000 in the 12-month period prior to application.  Eligible crops include vegetables, fruits, bedding plants, cut flowers, ornamental plants, tree seedlings, medicinal plants and other plants grown in commercial greenhouses. For further information, please contact Alberta Agriculture at 310-FARM (3276) or agrp@gov.ab.ca

Our annual Landscape Awards Presentation and Dinner was held March 8 at the Telus Spark Centre in Calgary. This year there were four recipients of the Executive Choice Award. The first went to Ron Oudyk from Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. for his commitment to raising professionalism in the industry through his support of the apprenticeship program, Ronald McDonald House, and Skills Canada Alberta. The second award went to Jack Payne, from Classic Landscape Centre for his keen involvement in development of the Canadian Landscape Standard. The third recipient was Phil Paxton from Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. for his role in bringing the Canadian Landscape Standard to life. The last award went to Anita Huever from Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd. for her massive effort in the Bill 6 consultation process. The Executive Choice Award recognizes members who have demonstrated dedication to helping the association grow and achieve its long-term goals.

Gloria Beck presented long-time colleague and friend, Tony Heuver, with the Lifetime Member award for all his years of dedicated service to the association and to our industry. It is beyond well deserved and well overdue.  Congratulations to Tony!

The Landscape Awards program received a record 53 entries this year, with 39 awards presented. Congratulations to Alpha Better Landscaping Inc., Earthlings Inc., Homescapes Complete Landscape Construction, Julia’s Alpine Garden, Landform Inc., Modern Earth Landscaping Ltd., Park Landscaping Ltd., Planta Landscape Inc., Solid Landscape Construction & Design Inc., Surface Pro Services, Terra Landscaping Ltd. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. and Year-Round Landscaping Inc.

Watch for pictures of the winning projects in the upcoming May/June 2017 issue of Green for Life magazine or click here to view them online.

We would also like to congratulate those companies whose award-winning entries have been nominated for the 2017 National Awards of Landscape Excellence:

• Landform Inc. – Lamb Residence
• Modern Earth Landscaping Ltd. – Donnelly Residence
• ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. – Slywka Residence
• Year-Round Landscaping Inc. – Chow Commercial Building
• Terra Landscaping Ltd. – Nedlaw Living Wall, Edmonton Federal Building
• Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. – Legacy Phase 1, Storm Ponds and Entry

 Congratulations to all of the winners!

Click the thumbnails below to view photos from our 2017 Landscape Awards Red Carpet. To download a photo, click on the thumbnail. Once it opens, right click on the image and click “Save As” to save on your computer.

CNLA officially supports a proposal to create a national garden of Canada as a centre of excellence which will act to: document past horticultural achievements, host living presentations of green infrastructure, and be a place for public gathering. It will educate Canadians on living green infrastructure by preserving and enhancing the quality of the natural environment, including water/air/flora and fauna.

The mission is to have the Government of Canada support and recognize that a national garden in the Capital Region of Ottawa would benefit all Canadians. Canada is the only G7 Nation without a national garden, so this is an opportunity to establish one that includes building a centre of excellence that educates youth on living green infrastructure and provide a public gathering place to introduce all ages to Canada’s rich garden heritage. By including a research component, it will be a showcase to the world.

CNLA is working closely with Canadensis to see where our efforts can be streamlined to create a national garden in Ottawa. Contact CNLA’s Stacey Porter for more information: stacey@cnla-acpp.ca

There is Still Time to Register!
Landscape Alberta Spring Workshop & Awards Dinner
Workshop: Hilton Garden Inn, 711 4 St SE
Awards Night: Telus SPARK Centre, 220 St Georges Dr NE
Calgary, AB

Join us for our annual spring workshop taking place March 8, 2017 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Calgary. In the morning, we have Jason Cupp speaking on creating a client-centric company and hiring the best team members, and Jackie Hart in the afternoon talking on how to creating brand loyalty. These sessions are designed to help your business take advantage of and look for growth in tough times.  Hot breakfast and lunch included in the ticket price. Landscape Alberta will also be hosting our Annual General Meeting during the lunch break.

Plus! Don’t miss our Landscape Awards Night being held at the Telus SPARK Centre. Walk the red carpet, rub elbows with the best of the best and watch as we give best landscape to La La Land(scapes). Register at www.laspringworkshop2017.eventbrite.ca.