March 31 2021 - Year of the Garden 2022 News

Since the last Year of the Garden 2022 newsletter, we have:

• Met with Policy Advisors of the Ministry of Agriculture in view of a meeting with the Minister
• In conversation with Canadian Heritage

We are now moving into the Planning Phase of the Year of the Garden 2022. The next 9 months will be important to engage Garden-Family members with this unique horticulture celebration, as we prepare to invite the public to celebrate the numerous benefits of gardens and gardening. Not everything is yet decided which is a good thing, but as you can expect things will go quickly, since our goal is to start the marketing campaign in the fall of 2021 leading up to the Year of the Garden 2022.

We want you to participate so we can promote you and the Canadians can easily Add Garden to Life.

We have created a first Year of the Garden 2022 Resource Guide to facilitate your engagement. Check it out!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or suggestions.

If you have not yet done it, expressed your support to your local Member of Parliament, please do it now, asking for an official designation of the Year of the Garden 2022 and cc the Canadian Garden Council. Click for a sample letter.

We are still getting letters of support. More quotes from these letters:

“As mayor of the City of Charlottetown, I fully support the Canadian Garden Council’s effort to designate 2022 as “Year of the Garden”
With endless beauty and garden, the Year of the Garden would create unforgettable moments and provide an inspired springboard for us all to enjoy. “ - Philip Brown, Mayor – City of Charlottetown

“As a member of the large garden family, we therefore support this initiative of the Canadian Garden Council and hope that the Canadian government will name the year 2022 “Year of the garden”. We look forward to joining the opportunities that will bring gardens to the forefront in 2022 to recognize their importance, both in our history, in our daily lives and in our future.” -André Delisle – Château Ramezay - Musée site historique de Montréal

“Gardens matter. In today’s world, where environmental systems are increasingly interdependent, living plants are literally the “lungs” of the planet. Gardens and gardening provide a unique opportunity to celebrate and enjoy nature, a venue where we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to sustainability and protection of our natural environment.” - Gérald Lajeunesse - Canadensis Botanical Garden Society

“Further developing the profile of garden tourism will not only support tourism to the National Capital, but also will encourage connections with nature – itself core to the mission of the Canadian Museum of Nature as an institution. We would be very happy to participate in the “Year of the Garden 2022” and welcome your proposal to develop the same.” - John Swettenham - Canadian Museum of Nature

“Please accept this letter of support for Year of the Garden 2022 – the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation is well served by “Year of the Garden”, bringing a higher visibility and recognition of the power of ornamental plants in Canada and beyond. We are interested in working with the Canadian Garden Council further to promote this program.” - Vic Krahn - Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation

“It has been said that gardening is a great equalizer. Designating 2022 the Year of the Garden not only recognizes the benefits of gardens and gardening but also opens the door to new discovery and the opportunity for Canadians to experience new skills that enhance their wellbeing and that of their communities.” - Colleen I. Zacharias – garden writer

“As Canada recovers and steps out from the turbulence of COVID-19, the Year of the Garden could be the panacea to stimulate the return to the fullness of life and the new normal.

Gardens are also an economic driver in increasing tourism, and an explosion of new interest in horticulture will affect all facets of Canadian life and sustainability in culture, environment and economics.” - Barbara Carleton, Chair -The Friends of the Halifax Public Gardens

“Over the last few months, where possible, we have been working in our gardens and missing the time we spend in the Botanical Gardens and in all public gardens. The strongest support I can give for the Year of the Garden is this year we realized that you really miss something when it is gone. The Year of the Garden will remind everyone how important Gardens are to use all.” - W. Carson Leonard, President - Friends of the MUNN Botanical Gardens

“The Gannaiden community applauds the Year of the Garden 2022, and we intend to use the event as a platform to invite neighbours and community organizations to share in designing and building a sustainable family related garden program.” - Gannaiden - Elaine Steinberg

“Please accept this as a letter of support in your work to create a Canadian Year of the Garden in 2022. I understand that this special year will aim to celebrate what is already happening and create new opportunities to “Put Some Garden in Your Life” for all Canadians.” - Aura Rose , owner - House of Rose Winery

“We believe that a Year of the Garden 2022 will contribute to educate and inspire Canadians to engage with gardens, plants and nature therefore enhancing the health, quality of life, economic and positive environmental impact they provide.” - Joel Beatson, Executive Director - Landscape Saskatchewan

“The Year of the Garden project is in keeping with the values that guide the work of landscape architects. This particular project focuses on educating and inspiring Canadians to engage with gardens and outdoor spaces that undoubtedly enhance our quality of life by improving our physical and mental health.” -
Vanessa Jukes Strutt, President - Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects

“I think the Year of the Garden 2022 is a great idea. We have seen unprecedented interest in ornamental gardening, edible gardening, and houseplants since the start of the pandemic.

As a resident of Vancouver Granville with a business in East Richmond that also ships across Canada, I hope the Federal Government will provide support for this program.” - Gary Lewis - Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Thank you to our corporate Founding Partners of the Year of the Garden 2022 : Scotts Canada, Premier Tech and Proven Winners

We will soon be releasing a Year of the Garden 2022 Sponsorship program for corporations interested in being associated with this unique year long event and the garden and gardening audience.

“Canadians are showing a renewed passion for gardens and gardening not only for the beauty that they bring but also to address mental and physical wellbeing. As a leader in lawn and garden products, Scotts Canada Ltd. is proud to be a founding partner of the Year of the Garden 2022. We look forward to celebrating the wonderfulness of gardening and inviting all Canadians to join Canada’s garden-family.”
Karen Stephenson | Director, Regulatory Affairs & Stakeholder Relations, Scotts Canada Limited

“At Premier Tech, the horticultural and garden world is the cornerstone, the very essence of who we are, and we are proud to have contributed to the emergence and growth of this industry in Canada since its beginnings. At the dawn of our 100th anniversary, it is only natural for Premier Tech to be taking part in this celebration of Canada’s horticultural heritage that will be the Year of the Garden 2022.”
Martin Pelletier | President of Premier Tech Growers and Consumers.