National Golf Club Owners Association:
Public Meetings completed before December 1, 2012:
The NGCOA Canada is preparing to provide limited, broad opportunities in preparation for public meetings through March and possibly beyond.
It is anticipated that the vast majority of some 700 required public meetings to be held around the province before December 1, 2012 will be a positive public relations event to present data on pesticide use for 2011. However, some golf industry members having expressed some angst at the thought of public “exposure” and the potential of disruptive activist activity at these meetings has spawned sources of support from a few quarters.
Public Meeting Requirement Questions and Answers
- What are the new requirements for golf courses in 2012?
- What is the purpose of presenting the annual report?
- Why are golf courses required to present the annual report at a public meeting?
- What should be considered in planning the public meeting?
- Can two sequential annual reports be presented at one meeting?
- Can multiple golf courses hold one public meeting?
- Who can act as the representative of the owner/operator of a golf course to present the annual report at the public meeting?
- When must notice of a public meeting be published in the newspaper?
- Who must be provided with written notice of the public meeting?
- What information is required to be provided in the notice?
- Can additional information be provided in the notice?
- What methods of notice may be used to provide notice of the public meeting to abutting properties or properties within 100 metres?
- What is meant by “personally” delivering the notice?
- If more than 50 persons must be notified of a public meeting, how can a golf course request approval of other means of notice?
- What information must be included in the written submission to MOE requesting approval of other means of notice?
- What situations would the Director consider for approving other means of notice?
What are the new requirements for golf courses in 2012?
Golf courses are excepted from Ontario’s cosmetic pesticides ban if they comply with the conditions in Ontario Regulation 63/09. Starting in 2012, the owner, operator or his/her representative must hold a public meeting before December 1st in each calendar year to present the previous year’s annual report. For example, in 2012, the 2011 annual report would be presented.
What is the purpose of presenting the annual report?
To give the public the opportunity to get the context and practical meaning to an otherwise technical report on the types and amounts of Class 9 pesticides that are being used and why they are necessary.
Why are golf courses required to present the annual report at a public meeting?
The intent of the public meeting is to verbally present the information in the previous year's annual report. Since the annual report will contain technical details on the types and amounts of Class 9 pesticides used on the golf course, this provides an opportunity to give context and practical meaning to interested parties.
What should be considered in planning the public meeting?
This requirement provides flexibility in hosting the meeting and potentially responding to public concerns, although there is no regulatory obligation to accommodate public comments.
Golf courses may want to consult our Tips for Successful Public Meetings.
Can two sequential annual reports be presented at one meeting?
No. Ontario Regulation 63/09 requires that each year the previous year’s annual report must be presented.
Can multiple golf courses hold one public meeting?
Multiple golf courses may collectively present their annual reports at one meeting venue. Golf courses should choose a meeting location which would be easily accessible to all affected property owners of each golf course (i.e. is not a long distance away from any of the golf courses).
The notice of the public meeting should include the required information for each golf course and provide the times each golf course is presenting its annual report. Also, notice must be given to abutting or nearby property owners of each golf course by the owner or operator of the golf course.
An owner or operator or a representative of the owner or operator for each golf course must attend the presentation of the annual report at the meeting.
Who can act as the representative of the owner/operator of a golf course to present the annual report at the public meeting?
Anyone can act as a representative of the golf course owner/operator. It is up to the owner/operator to decide who will present the annual report. For example, the representative can be the owner/operator, golf course integrated pest management agent, superintendent or other golf course staff, or a hired consultant.
If a consultant is presenting the annual report, the owner/operator should ensure that the representative is sufficiently knowledgeable to provide the information on his/her behalf.
The golf course owner/operator and other staff may wish to attend the public meeting to support the presenter and to answer questions.
When must notice of a public meeting be published in the newspaper?
The notice must be published no more than 15 days before the date of the presentation of the annual report at a public meeting, in a newspaper with a general circulation in the area where golf course is located.
The size of the newspaper notice should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) in width or the nearest equivalent in column layout.
Who must be provided with written notice of the public meeting?
- A copy of the notice must be given to the occupants of each property that:
- abuts the golf course, or
- is within 100 meters of the golf course.
The size of the notice provided to occupants should be at least 216mm X 279 mm (8.5 X 11 inches).
What information is required to be provided in the notice?
The notice must include the following information:
- the name and address of the golf course
- the name and telephone number of the owner or a representative of the owner of the golf course
- the date, time and place the annual report will be presented.
Can additional information be provided in the notice?
Yes. For example, golf courses may want to request confirmation of attendance/number attending to allow for planning room and seating arrangements. Also, if multiple golf courses are holding a meeting at the same location, this should be included in the notice, as well as the scheduled times for each golf course’s presentation.
What methods of notice may be used to provide notice of the public meeting to abutting properties or properties within 100 metres?
A copy of the notice must be:
- Delivered personally (given directly to the person occupying the property)
- Sent by mail (addressed to the person to whom it is required to be given at the address for the person)
- Sent by courier (in accordance with conditions in Section 2 of Ontario Regulation 228/09 made under the Pesticides Act)
- Sent by email (in accordance with conditions in Section 2 of Ontario Regulation 228/07 made under the Pesticides Act)
- Sent by fax (in accordance with conditions in Section 2 of Ontario Regulation 228/07 made under the Pesticides Act)
What is meant by “personally” delivering the notice?
The notice must be given directly (handed) to the person occupying the property. The notice must not be left at the property such as in a mail box or attached to the door.
If more than 50 persons must be notified of a public meeting, how can a golf course request approval of other means of notice?
Written requests for approval of other means of notice must be submitted to:
Director Under the Pesticides Act
Pesticides Management Section, Standards Development Branch
Mail: 40 St. Clair Avenue West, 7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1M2
Fax: 416-327-2936
Email: SDB-PesticideApproval@ontario.ca
What information must be included in the written submission to MOE requesting approval of other means of notice?
The written request must indicate the following:
- Reason for requesting other means of notice (i.e. more than 50 occupants must be given notice)
- Other means of notice being requested (i.e. options 1 or 2, or both, as described below)
- Approximate number of properties that would have to be given notice in accordance with paragraph 3 ii of subsection 20 (1) of Ontario Regulation 63/09
- Outline why it would be unduly onerous to give notice to the number of properties
- If applicable, provide a signed declaration from a building superintendent/owner approving the posting of the notice in common area(s)
- Sample notice
What situations would the Director consider for approving other means of notice?
The Director may consider giving approval in the following situations:
1) Apartments, condominiums or office buildings with more than 50 occupants:
Notice may be given by posting a notice in a common area(s) of the building, with the approval of the superintendent or owner of the building (attach a signed declaration of approval from the superintendent or owner) and by addressing the notice with “Attention Occupants”.
Delivering notice to each occupant in a building would be considered by the Director as unduly onerous since there is generally no access to mail boxes.
2) More than 50 properties must be given notice:
Notice may be given by addressing the notice with “Attention Occupant” and delivering a copy of the notice to the mailbox(es) of each abutting property or property within 100 m of the golf course, rather than having to give it directly to the occupant at the property.
via Pesticides – Public Meeting Requirement Questions and Answers – Ministry of the Environment.
IPM Accreditation NGCOA Canada
Deadline – January 31, 2012 to submit IPM desk review information
Click here for important information from the IPM Council of Canada regarding submission of 2011 desk review materials.
Public Meetings completed before December 1, 2012:
It is anticipated that the vast majority of some 700 required public meetings to be held around the province before December 1, 2012 will be a positive public relations event to present data on pesticide use for 2011. However, some golf industry members having expressed some angst at the thought of public “exposure” and the potential of disruptive activist activity at these meetings has spawned sources of support from a few quarters.
The NGCOA Canada is preparing to provide limited, broad opportunities in preparation for public meetings through March and possibly beyond.
Opportunities include a 5 minute video to be used as a general introduction to start meetings. This video sponsored by the Ontario Allied Golf Associations will be available to members in good standing. We are considering a workshop breakout session to address public meetings during Spring Warm Up meetings in March.
Other sources for more detailed support include:
- An OGSA presentation of the video and a seminar session on preparing for and executing public meetings during their annual conference (9 am – Jan 20) – see link under “Continuing Educational Credits”.
- Consultation services through the Guelph Turfgrass Institute’s new division, the GTI Solutions Group.
- John Bladon (The Chimera Group) at jbladon.chimeragroup@rogers.com or at 519.574.2013
- Tim O’Connor (O’Connor Golf Communications) at tim@oconnorgolf.ca or at 519.341.4778
- Regional workshop proposals, personal coaching etc. – Teri Yamada of TY Environmental Strategies teri@tyenviro.com 416.919.3832
Using Pesticides in 2012
After April 22, 2012 you will not be able to use pesticides unless you have achieved Level 2 Accreditation Status that includes the successful completion of an onsite audit. While audits are being conducted on an ongoing basis, golf courses do not have to request an on-site audit.
On-site audits will be scheduled in the following order of priority:
- Golf courses that have successfully completed three desk reviews or are already IPM Accredited – Level 2 and are scheduled for renewal.
- Golf courses that have successfully completed three desk reviews.
- Golf courses that have successfully completed two desk reviews and registered in 2009.
- Golf courses that have successfully completed one desk review and registered in 2010.
- Golf courses that have successfully completed one desk review and registered in 2011
You will be contacted by an auditor to schedule the on-site audit at a mutually convenient time.
Further information is available at:
IPM Accreditation Program (IPMAP) – http://www.ontarioipm.com/IPM/
c/o University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus 866.385.4762 or 519.674.1538
IPM Council of Canada website – public display of course status, usage reports as well as data entry
http://www.ipmcouncilcanada.org/epar/Default.aspx
Continuing Educational Credits:
Landscape Ontario's Congress 2012
Date: Monday January 9 – Pre Congress educational workshop
Managing Turf, Trees and Expectations (while this one day symposium is directed to landscapers, attendance at this event qualifies for 8 CEC's from the IPM Council of Canada)
Registration: $95 before December 16 – $115 December 17 onwards
Location: Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON
Click here for symposium agenda and to register
Ontario Golf Course Management (OGSA) Conference & Trade Show
Date: January 18 – 20, 2012
Location: Scotiabank Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON
Credits: 9.5 IPM CEC’s (Jan 18 – 5.0 CEC, Jan 19 – 3.5 CEC, Jan 20 – 1.0 CEC – see session details)
Click here for conference details and to register
http://www.ngcoa.ca/benefits/2930/ipm-accreditation