By Steve Tschanz

I would like to thank everyone in the association for their loyal support over the last few years, as our industry worked hard to survive the changes that were imposed upon us. Landscape Ontario went the extra mile as we worked in the background with a lobbyist, while the new act and regulations were still under the pen of government officials.


We were also in touch with lawyers and other groups, discussing ways in which we could have more products available to us, or rework the regulations. This process even had us looking at going through the court system.


The Lawn Care sector group will continue to look at the whole industry, as it investigates different avenues to pursue. We welcome suggestions from members on new areas to investigate. Remember, we are your voice, but if we do not hear it, then we cannot act upon it.


The results of the pesticide act are far from what we had hoped for. It is especially frustrating for members after the many hours put forth in an attempt to allow our industry to maintain some important tools in the toolbox. In that vein, I would like to thank Gavin Dawson, Kyle Tobin, Mark Goodman, Alan White, John Wright, Roger Mongeon and Dan Passmore for their patient and extended contributions to the industry in the past year.


As we continue to live with the new regulations, we have new challenges on the horizon. These include the HST, Stewardship Ontario and fertilizer bans. Landscape Ontario and the sector group are working to create seminars and meetings to find out more information on these topics.


The horizon is beginning to look brighter, as new products are registered and older ones improve. Fiesta is a new broadleaf herbicide that is expected to be available this spring, while Sarritor has a revised label with the addition of clover and plantain. Also, a new liquid non-selective herbicide is available. As for the Scotts living herbicide, the registration application was made late last year and will be potentially available in 2012, if not sooner.


Hopefully, everyone will have a great season.