The scope and mandate — and therefore the needs — of the industry sectors served by Landscape Ontario are distinctly different. The specific requirements of each of these groups are facilitated by the association’s sector group structure. The objective of each sector group is to respond to current concerns resulting from marketplace pressures and government legislation.
Jump to: Garden Centre, Grounds Management, Growers, Irrigation, Landscape Contractors and Hardscape, Landscape Designers, Lighting, Turfgrass Management, Snow and Ice Management
Garden Centre
Garden centres continued to see success yet faced continued and new uncertainties for the past selling year. Home price pressures with declining real estate values caused many consumers to pause on making significant investments in their properties. Added to this is job market insecurity, along with the impact of tariffs for products purchased from the far east that are traditionally routed through the U.S. On a positive note, increased interest in ‘buy local’ and ‘buy Canadian’ were common marketing topics for IGC’s. The continued shift towards native plants, supporting pollinators is also a good category for garden centres. The entire topic of invasive plants seems continues to be a hot topic with inconsistency on definitions and impact. Increasing fresh grocery prices has also been an opportunity to increase sales of vegetable seeds and starters as well as small fruit plants suitable for urban properties.
Respectfully submitted,
Art Vanden Enden
Garden Centre Sector Group Chair 2024-2025
Grounds Management Group
The group had two speakers at the live stage for congress in January and will continue this January 2026.
Introduced some Ilex glabra (Inkberry) and Boxwood species to the trial gardens (specifically to monitor performance with an emphasis on boxwood substitutes).
Focusing on education and helping the sector to train or upskill gardeners, working with Jeff McMann and Workforce Development at LO, to procure tutorial videos focussed on fine gardening skills.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Beckon
Grounds Management Sector Group Chair
Growers Group
Report to follow.
Irrigation
Elections were held in April with Chris Le Conte (SMART Watering Systems Inc.) being elected Chair and Michelle Von Roeder (EcoStream Solutions) elected Vice Chair.
The focus of 2025 has been the revival of the WSIP (Water Smart Irrigation Professional) program. This award-winning program will once again be offered and recommended to irrigation professionals who are interested in helping their clients identify and quantify water-saving irrigation improvements. The WSIP program consists of three modules and includes training on the new Data Manager irrigation assessment software. The Data Manager software will allow Certified WSIP contractors to provide professional reports to their clients that will highlight the water efficiency improvements achieved through irrigation infrastructure investments. The WSIP levels 1 and 2 will be offered virtually. Stay tuned for more updates and dates on the delivery of the Data Manager training portion of WSIP.
The Irrigation awards criteria is being improved to provide more clarity on requirements for submission. Expect new requirements to be announced at the annual Irrigation Conference.
The annual irrigation conference will be held Feb. 24 at Landscape Ontario. This year’s theme is "Connecting the Drops." The program this year includes presentations from experts in Blue Roof design (an exciting new initiative from local conservation authorities), water conservation consultants, pump professionals, social media power users and a panel discussion from some of the largest irrigation contractors in Ontario (who also work on some very cool and challenging green roof and rain collection projects). This day of information sharing and discussion is something that should not be missed.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris LeConte, WSIP, CIC, CLIA
Chair, 2024-2025
Landscape Contractors and Hardscape
Report to follow.
Landscape Designers
Sector Group Members
Lexi Dearborn CLD, Chair
Beth Edney CLD, Past Chair
Chris Lamer
John Bright CLD
Laureen Woloszak
Ron Koudys CLD
Haig Seferian CLD
Gabriel Roballo
Margot Byers
Daniel Mazur
Corinne Wilmink
Rieley Mykytuik
Stephanie Leblanc
Heather May
Matt Curiale
Nick Bischoff
Paola Mercado Daneri
The designers’ group had a fantastic year, beginning with the 2025 Landscape Designers Conference in early January. It was wonderful to see 260 designers from across Ontario gather. This was the event’s highest attendance ever, providing a remarkable opportunity to learn and connect.
In early 2025, the designers sector group played a significant role in updating the certification process for the CNLA Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) program. Approved by the CNLA Professional Development Committee in June 2025, this national designation now includes micro-credentialing. Under the new Laddering Provision, designers can now pursue the Certified Garden Designer (GD) designation with one or more years of post-secondary education or relevant work experience. Upon completing the CLD examinations, candidates will earn the Certified Garden Design Professional (GD Pro) designation. The Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) designation will be awarded to those who successfully complete their portfolio reviews.
The ‘Grandfather’ Provision will now be referred to as the ‘Legacy’ Provision.
We held four Mentor Moments, one-hour Zoom-style seminars connecting designers across the province and nationally, providing information to support professional growth, skill development, and career advancement. The seminars were well attended, with 30 to 60 participants.
Two in-person Coffee Mornings were held, one in Wasaga Beach and one in Trenton, featuring design topics and speakers, with ample time for questions and networking.
The designers group created the Ontario Student CLD Bursary Program, which provides $3,000 annually to cover the cost of the Certified Landscape Designer examination for graduating students or recent post-secondary graduates in a landscape design or related program in Ontario.
In July, at the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens, four certified designers gathered to create the inspiring Become a Certified Landscape Designer video. A heartfelt thank you to Haig Seferian CLD, Beth Edney CLD, John Bright CLD, and Adele Pierre CLD for their enthusiastic participation and dedication. We invite you to watch the video and get inspired.
The group is launching an exciting new initiative in 2026 called, The Designer. It’s a quarterly newsletter featuring engaging articles and design topics, offering valuable industry insights and inspiring personal design stories from designers across Canada.
For those preparing for the Certified Landscape Designer examinations, we have scheduled two morning workshops in April 2026: one in London and one in Milton, with the option to write the examinations in the afternoon.
Over the past year, the Designers Sector Group has concentrated on connecting and supporting design professionals within our community. We prioritize collaboration and are committed to offering valuable resources that foster our professional growth.
Respectfully submitted,
Lexi Dearborn, CLD
Landscape Designers Sector Group Chair
Landscape Lighting
The year 2025 has definitely had many hi-LIGHTS for this Landscape Lighting Sector Group. Our group of over 20 members have many accomplishments to be proud of.
We continue to make contributions to our Landscape Lighting Tool Kit. The collective knowledge and experience of our group continue to make this living document a must-use resource for contractors. Because this tool kit is regularly being added to, we want to hear from the Landscape Ontario members about what they want to see here.
At Congress, Don McQueen and Carl Hastings took to the LIVE Stage (twice) to engage crowds with an overview of landscape lighting and topics found in the tool kit.
On Feb. 26, the group once-again hosted the annual Landscape Lighting Symposium. LO Alumni James Solecki spoke to the audience about dark-sky friendly lighting and his approach to the world of lighting (above and beyond the landscape). A panel of group members shared trends and unique fixtures, and Jesse Loucks addressed the audience with information about the International Landscape Lighting Institute and their twice-a-year intense training events. A total of 92 attendees joined-in for the day, which ran one day after the Irrigation Symposium. The two events offered a discount to participants looking to take in both days. A full house of vendors – 16 in total – were available all day to display the latest and greatest.
A hot topic that has been stirring since late in 2024 is the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Reports from across the province have been coming in to alert of electrical inspectors tightening their requirements for landscape lighting installations. While the permit process has not changed, other areas have been greyed. In September, a group of us, led by Joe Salemni, met with two representatives of the ESA. Coming out of that meeting was a feeling that we have a willing partner who is engaged with the idea of working together towards a mutual solution. Training, as well as a more-clear set of regulations, is the common goal. More communication is expected soon.
The group continues their work – the 2026 Lighting Symposium is coming soon, as are new additions to the tool kit.
Stay tuned for more enlightening news!
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Sim
Chair
Snow and Ice Management
The snow and ice sector group continues on the same path to get the Ontario government to support contractors so that liability is protected, the public is kept safe and the environment is respected.
From the outside looking in, nothing has changed, the liability claims keep coming. From the inside looking out, change is in the horizon.
The sector group has made some progress on several fronts.
We have worked together with SIMA to develop a property hazard assessment tool which has become a reference document for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in its snow and ice procurement standard for building owners. Many thanks to Jordan, Chris and Jim for sitting on the joint taskforce with our U.S. association, SIMA.
We also participated with SIMA on the Industry Safety Standard, which was also adopted by ANSI. The Landscape Ontario snow and Ice passport document was reference in the standard. We thank Jim and Chris for their participation on this committee.
You might ask, how does this help us in Ontario? ANSI is the United States equivalent of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Back in 2021 we asked CSA to do a standard for our industry in Canada. This began with a process that involved stakeholders across the country to determine the gaps in our industry. Some members from Landscape Ontario were included in this process. The CSA produced a report indicating that a Canadian Snow Standard is needed as currently in 2021 there was no education and training, regulatory body governing the industry, contractors assuming all the liability while harming the environment with the application of too much salt. We asked the CSA to develop a standard and they indicated that they could not. During this past year a number of us reached out too them and gave them an update as to how we have progressed as an industry and how with the ANSI standards in place in the United States there may be an opportunity to review and adopt for Canada.
Snowposium in July was a huge success as a two day event that attracted more exhibitors with an excellent educational component.
Joe, Jon, Chris and Gerald continue to meet regularly with the Daisy Group as our advocacy continues with the Ontario government. The interaction with the Ontario government continued and they were not receptive to our ask for a change in the occupiers liability act. They are not averse to doing a full study of the industry with input from stakeholders. We have supplied the government with terms of reference for the study. They understand that more salt is being applied to prevent slip and falls. Less salt = more slip and fall s= more claims = higher insurance premiums = contractors leaving the industry = properties with no snow service providers.
Less salt, the proper amount of salt rather than too much salt along with liability protection that will keep the public safe and contractors in business.
Many thanks to the committee members and the Landscape Ontario staff for your work and support during this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald Boot
Snow & Ice Management Sector Group Chair 2024-2025
Past President, Landscape Ontario
Turfgrass Management
The past year has been a meaningful one for the turf care sector, marked by progress in education, advocacy, and the continued elevation of professional turfgrass management across Ontario and beyond.
Education remains a cornerstone of our work. We are pleased to announce that the next IPM Symposium will take place on Jan. 15, 2026, featuring a strong lineup of speakers and a focused theme centred on myth-busting and evidence-based decision making. As public scrutiny and misinformation continue to challenge our industry, this event is designed to equip professionals with clear, science-backed knowledge they can confidently stand behind.
Alongside this, the IPM Certification Program has undergone a complete rebuild from the ground up. The process has been modernized using current technology to improve accessibility, usability, and long-term management. This new system allows companies to more easily track and maintain technician certifications, ensuring compliance while reducing administrative friction. It represents a significant step forward in supporting professionalism and consistency across the sector.
Our partnership with the Guelph Turfgrass Institute continues to deliver important value. Together, we launched a dedicated website focused on the positive role of turfgrass in urban environments. This platform provides credible, science-based resources that support proactive communication with the public, municipalities, and policymakers, helping to shift the narrative toward informed, balanced discussion of turfgrass benefits.
Environmental advocacy has also advanced meaningfully this year. The Carbon Calculator, spearheaded by Alan White, is now live and provides a practical, real-world tool to quantify the environmental contributions of turfgrass. This work strengthens our ability to speak clearly and credibly about sustainability, using data rather than opinion.
We extend our sincere thanks to Alan White, our Turfgrass Board Representative, for his continued leadership and commitment to advancing the value of turfgrass on a global stage. His participation in international forums, including COP30 in Belém, Brazil, has helped ensure that professional turfgrass management is part of broader environmental conversations.
We also recognize the ongoing efforts of Gavin Dawson and Chris Lemcke, whose work in government relations continues to support both the recognition of turfgrass value and the professionalism of those who manage it. Their persistence and experience remain critical as regulatory and policy discussions evolve.
Our membership continues to grow and evolve, bringing new perspectives into the sector. At the same time, there is opportunity for greater engagement. We encourage members to step forward, contribute their expertise, and participate actively in the Turf Care Sector group. The strength and relevance of this sector depend on collective involvement and shared leadership.
Thank you to the Landscape Ontario staff for their continued support and partnership throughout the year. Their guidance and coordination are essential to advancing this work.
As we look ahead to 2026, the turf care sector remains focused on education, advocacy, science-based decision making, and professional recognition. The work continues and the opportunity to shape the future of our industry has never been more important.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Tobin
Chair
