Year of the Garden 2022 – March News
March 19, 2021
2022 Proclaimed Year of the Garden
The Canadian Garden Council is proud to proclaim 2022 as the Year of the Garden celebrating the Centennial of the Canada’s ornamental horticulture sector and honouring of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s 100-year anniversary. The Canadian Garden Council is now calling on Members of Parliament of the Canadian government to officially designate 2022 as Canada’s Year of the Garden.
The Year of the Garden 2022 invites Canadians everywhere in the country to commemorate Canada’s garden heritage, celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture and create legacies for a sustainable future
“Canada a garden nation? A nation of gardeners? You bet,” says Alexander Reford, President of the Canadian Garden Council and Director of Reford Gardens - Jardins de Métis. “Gardening is a shared passion from coast to coast to coast. Not only do our gardens allow us to enjoy the flavours and freshness of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, our flowerbeds and forests nourish our health and happiness. Our world needs more gardeners, and Canadians are leading the charge to plant to make a better planet. The Year of the Garden 2022 is a national celebration of what we are and where we are going — a nation of gardeners.”
Government Relations and Engagement
Meeting with the Ministries
Since the last Year of the Garden 2022 newsletter, we have:
- Received a response to our letter to the Prime Minister informing us that our request had been transferred to the Minister Steven Guilbeault, Canadian Heritage
- Met with Policy Advisor and Programs Manager at Canadian Heritage
- As a result of our request to meet with the Deputy Minister of Ministry Agriculture-AgriFood, we met with two Assistant Deputy Ministers of the Ministry.
Garden Family Engagement
Do you support the Year of the Garden 2022?
If you do and have not yet expressed it to your local Member of Parliament, please do it now and cc the Canadian Garden Council. Click for a sample letter.
We are still getting letters of support. More quotes from these letters:
“When the time is right, rest assured that the Québec Garden Association and its members will do their utmost to promote the “Year of the Garden in 2022” through their digital platforms and other communication tools.” - Alexander Reford, Quebec Garden Association
“On behalf of the Atlantic Rhododendron and Horticulture Society, we are writing to express support for the 2022 Year of the Garden program.” - Jean Henshall, Atlantic Rhododendron and Horticulture Society
“On behalf of Garden Cities, I want to let you know that we fully support creating a Year of the Garden for 2022. Gardens have played an important role throughout our history, sustaining us physically and mentally. They teach us about Food Sustainability and introduce us to ecological stewardship.” - Natalie Goguen, Garden Cities
“The Beaverton Horticultural Society, who will also be celebrating their 100th year anniversary in 2022, urges the Federal Government to provide endorsement and support for this program.” - Lynne Davidson, Beaverton Horticultural Society
“During this unprecedented time, we need to all come together to encourage growing not just to put food on our tables but to keep our mental health growing.
The Campbellton Community Garden fully supports the Canadian Garden Council in the initiative to make 2022 the Year of the Garden, they have our full support and standing.” - Kerry Ann Babin, Campbellton Community Garden
“I’m reaching out today on behalf of the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) to extend our support for the Canadian Garden Council’s efforts to designate 2022 as the Year of the Garden.
Gardens play an important role in creating a safe place to bring people together and connect with our natural world. This initiative would be a vital community catalyst for greater learning, exploration, and connection for Canadians of all ages.” - Vanda Vitali, Canadian Museums Association
“A national year of vibrant celebration of the culture and heritage of the gardens of Canada will contribute to Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
We need to educate and inspire Canadians of all ages to include gardens and gardening in their lives. Increased participation in gardening and gardening activities during the Year of the Garden will create a vital legacy to foster a healthy and sustainable future for Canada.” - Cendrine Mathews, Jardin Gratuit sur Facebook
“As a member of Canada’s Garden-Family, we are writing to you today in support of the Canadian Garden Council’s initiative to have 2022 officially proclaimed the Year of the Garden in Canada.
We also believe that It is important to celebrate the centennial of Canada’s horticulture sector which has and continues to contribute to the development of Canada and our values.” - Gail Henderson, Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society
Become a Year of the Garden 2022 Champion. Here’s how:
If not written yet, please send us a Letter of Support to the Canadian Garden Council! Click for a sample letter.
Government relations: Please let your MP know that you support the Federal government’s commitment to Canada’s Year of the Garden 2022. Click for a sample letter. Please cc us.
Share this website link with other Garden Family members
Share your thoughts, ideas and expectations about Year of the Garden 2022 with us during this Development and Feasibility Phase. [email protected]
Corporate Engagement
Thank you to our corporate Founding Partners of the Year of the Garden 2022 : Scotts Canada, Premier Tech Home and Garden and Proven Winners.
