Government Relations

Recent meetings and lobbying of the New Brunswick Government has resulted in a postponement of the minimum wage increase until April 2012. This 6 month delay will allow Government to closely review our request for a “tip” and “training” allowance. I encourage all golf course owners to support this decision and lobby your Provincial MLA to implement these allowances. To view the press release issued by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, please click here.

To view earlier updates on this issue, please click here to visit the advocacy archives.   

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. 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.

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 October 21st, 2010; (33) 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.

Congratulations to the following New Brunswick golf courses that have reached the level of Fully Licensed IPM Accreditation:

• St. Stephen Golf Course
• St. George Golf Course
• Kingswood Golf
• Squire Green Golf & Country Club
• Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club
• Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club

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.