Advocacy Issues
Advocacy Issues
NEW Minimum Wage (New Brunswick)
A group of representatives operating under the name “Business Minimum Wage Coordinating Committee” have met and are addressing this issue through written correspondence with the Minister and a meeting has been confirmed for Wednesday, July 7th. Organizations that are represented on the committee include:
• Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick
• Downtown Fredericton
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business
• Canadian Restaurant & Foodservice Association
• NGCOA Canada – Atlantic Chapter
• Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors
• Retail Council of Canada
• Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
• Canadian Manufacturer’s & Exporters
IPM Accreditation
New regulations introduced by the New Brunswick Department of Environment in June 2009 requires that all commercial users of pesticide products (including golf courses) have on staff a certified IPM Turf Practitioner and be enrolled in a recognized IPM Accreditation program for the 2010 season. Suppliers to the turf industry have been informed and will not be able to ship product unless confirmation has been received that the stipulations as outlined have been adhered to. A letter was sent in September to all golf courses from the Province of NB, Department of Environment outlining these new regulations.
Plant Health Atlantic has received official endorsement from the Province of New Brunswick, Department of Environment to provide an IPM Certification & Accreditation Program to all commercial users of pesticide products. As of June 25th, 2010; (28) golf courses in New Brunswick have successfully completed the Baseline level of accreditation and have on staff a certified IPM Turf Practitioner. Those golf courses that have not completed the Baseline level and have on staff a certified IPM Turf Practitioner will not be able to purchase products.
On December 1st, the Prince Edward Island Minister of Environment introduced new legislation with respect to the use of Pesticides effective in 2010. Golf course applicators will now be required to hold a Class E (landscape) Pesticide Applicator Certificate. A significant component of the Class E training manual and exam focuses on IPM (Integrated Pest Management). As such additional requirements with respect to IPM Certification & Accreditation will not be required at this time. Plant Health Atlantic will look at holding a training and information session for golf course staff on PEI in the spring.
On May 11th 2010, the Nova Scotia government approved an Act to Prohibit the Sale and Use of Non-essential Pesticides. The sale and use of non-essential lawn care pesticides not on the List of Approved Pesticides will not be permitted as of spring 2011. The ban will extend to ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees by spring 2012. Regulations and an approved list of low risk pesticides are being developed during the summer and fall of 2010. The Act applies to lawn-care and ornamental plants on residential, commercial and institutional properties (including hospitals, long term care, schools), parks and other recreational facilities. The act does not apply to Golf Courses.
If you have any questions, please contact NGCOA Canada – Atlantic Chapter Regional Director and current Chair of the Plant Health Atlantic Executive, Dave McCafferty at 506-451-6201.
Visit www.planthealthatlantic.com to stay up to date on this very important topic.