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Peter Isaacson, CNLA’s IPM and Minor Use Coordinator has provided the following summary of PMRA’s re-examination of glyphosate, based on information provided by the Agency via a recent stakeholder conference call. A summary document is also available for download from the PMRA website.

• Glyphosate is not genotoxic and is unlikely to pose a human cancer risk.
• Dietary (food and drinking water) exposure associated with the use of glyphosate is not expected to pose a risk of concern to human health.
• Occupational and residential risks associated with the use of glyphosate are not of concern, provided that updated label instructions are followed.
• The environmental assessment concluded that spray buffer zones are necessary to mitigate potential risks to non-target species (for example, vegetation near treated areas, aquatic invertebrates and fish) from spray drift.
• When used according to revised label directions, glyphosate products are not expected to pose risks of concern to the environment.
• All registered glyphosate uses have value for weed control in agriculture and non- agricultural land management.

PMRA is granting continued registration of products containing glyphosate with requirements of additional label updates to further protect human health and the environment.  To comply with this decision, the required label changes must be implemented on all product labels sold by registrants no later than 24 months after the publication date of this document.

The City of Edmonton has released their first Landscaping Inspection Manual.  Found here, the document is intended as a set of guidelines for city inspectors.  Landscape Alberta looks forward to working with the City on future editions.

The Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers summer tour is being held in Alberta this year in conjunction with the CNLA meetings being held at Olds College.  On August 15, the tour will depart from the Pomeroy Inn at Olds College and head south towards a multi-sector tour of Calgary area landscape and nursery focused stops.  The tour includes stops at Blue Grass Nursery and Garden Centre, a new park development along the Elbow River by Alpha Better Landscaping, a tour at Foothills Nursery and finally a barbecue dinner at the Calgary Yacht Club.

For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2017-growers-tour-tickets-35767385212

There are now more ways for Alberta businesses and workers to benefit from the Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) training subsidy.

1. As always, get up to two-thirds of the cost of training covered for eligible current employees, up to $10,000 per trainee.
2. Up to 100% of training costs reimbursed when hiring and training eligible unemployed Albertans, up to $15,000 per trainee.
3. Sole proprietors can now apply to CAJG to train their employees.
4. Travel assistance will allow more businesses outside Edmonton and Calgary, to train their employees.

The Canada-Alberta Job Grant can help provide your workers with the training they need to support and advance your business, whether they are new to the job or moving up in the organization. Check the applicant guidelines for eligibility criteria and apply for CAJG funding today.

Learn more about the changes to the Canada-Alberta Job Grant at an upcoming webinar. Get answers to your questions during a live Q & A session. Register for the webinar here.

The Consultation Process

Statistics Canada has begun preparations for the 2021 Census of Agriculture. As a first step, Statistics Canada asks data users and other interested parties across Canada to share their views on how they use Census of Agriculture data and the type of information they believe should be collected. The goal of the 2021 consultation process is to confirm information needs, identify data gaps, understand potential emerging agricultural issues, and establish data priorities while balancing respondent burden and cost.

How to get involved

If you wish to be involved in providing information for consideration for the 2021 Census of Agriculture, please contact us by email by August 1^st, 2017 at

statcan.ceag-contentconsultationreag-consultationpourladeterminationducontenu.statcan@canada.ca

You will then receive further information on the consultation process and be provided with a discussion questionnaire containing several proposed changes for 2021 and a submission form for your comments to complete by mid-October 2017.

Consultation workshops will be conducted across Canada beginning the week of September 11^th, 2017. During the week of September 18^th, 2017, Statistics Canada will also be hosting Webinar sessions that you can join by teleconference or WebEx.

While participation in the consultation process is voluntary, the information you provide will help Statistics Canada to meet data needs and take into consideration emerging social and economic issues related to the agriculture sector. Your input will be carefully reviewed and will assist in determining content for the 2021 Census of Agriculture.

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the Agency is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada’s privacy policies, please consult the Privacy notice.

Anonymized comments collected during the consultation process may be published in the 2021 Census of Agriculture Content Consultation Report available on the Statistics Canada website in fall 2019.

Data users who have participated in the past by attending a workshop or submitting a written proposal include:

Please note also that Statistics Canada will be presenting an overview of the 2021 consultation process during a half-hour Webinar (WebEx presentation) Tuesday July 11^th, 2017 (1:00PM EST in English, 2:00PM EST in French). You are encouraged to join us by teleconference and WebEx.

To connect to this presentation:

Login to WebEx –

https://gts-ee.webex.com/gts-ee/j.php?MTID=m38c86c77392cc26f5202e9df12bba8e0

1. If requested, enter your name and email address.
2. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: Agriculture
3. Click “Join”.

Teleconference –
Toll-free Dial-in number: 1-877-413-4788
Local Dial-in number:  1-613-960-7513
Conference ID: 993 380 2

Statistics Canada would appreciate your help in forwarding this invitation to the appropriate persons in your organization who may wish to participate in the process of identifying data requirements and provide content suggestions. We invite you and members of your organization to participate to the 2021 consultation process and look forward to hearing from you.

Allison Nelson,
on behalf of the 2021 Census of Agriculture Content Determination Team.

To stay in line with industry and student demand, Olds College is increasing the capacity of its Horticulture programs. In 2016, the program received 83 total applications with a capacity of 30 students. In 2017, student capacity will be expanded to 50 available seats.

Olds College has offered programs within the Horticulture field for over 50 years, exploring the production and management of plants, the management of pests, landscapes, soils and water systems to achieve productive and sustainable systems.

“Olds College has a history of offering programs that reflect the importance that we place on the world around us,” explains Dr. Jason Dewling, Vice President of Academic and Research. “Sustainability, water management, production horticulture and urban agriculture are all areas that are seeing significant growth in interest, and as experts in the field it is our responsibility to ensure that we have enough spaces available to students to meet industry demands.”

The College offers three Horticulture designations – a Horticulture Technician Certificate, presented after the first year of study, a Horticulture Technologist Diploma after the second year of study, and a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree after four years.

“Olds College’s Horticulture program is unique, with a blended curriculum of online delivery, face to face inquiry based learning, hands-on learning, to go along with industry field schools,” explains Dalin Bullock, Dean of Animal Sciences and Horticulture. “Graduates will be prepared to apply their knowledge and skills in the areas of horticulture crops, landscape design, construction and maintenance.”

The decision to increase the capacity of the Horticulture program comes on the heels of the College’s announcement of the establishment of an increase in the College’s Agricultural Management program, reflecting the increased need for skilled and knowledgeable in these key programs.

“Sustainability, water management, production horticulture, and urban agriculture are vital elements of the world in which we live,” explains Bullock. “Increasing the availability of seats in these programs reflects the growth in the Agriculture and Horticulture industries, and we will continue to see this growth as the demand for food continues to escalate due to population growth and potential environmental factors.”

Applications for the 2017 intake for the Horticulture Technician Certificate are still being accepted, but space is limited, so students interested in the program are urged to apply early.