CSLA News
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Message from Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
As we come to the close of another remarkable and inspiring year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the passion, creativity, and care you bring to the profession of landscape architecture and for your support of the CSLA. Your contributions continue to shape more resilient, inclusive, and inspiring places across Canada and allow us, as staff, to support you in that mandate. During this holiday season, please find time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what inspires you. I’m excited for what we will accomplish together and grateful for the impact you make every day in communities from coast to coast to coast.
Yours truly,
Michelle Legault
Summary of the Decisions of the Board of Directors November 2025 Meeting in Ottawa
- Cynthia Girling was re-appointed as Chair of the LAAC for a second three year mandate.
- Nicole Valois was re-appointed as a member of the LAAC for a second three year mandate.
- Bénédicte Simard was appointed Co-Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee for a three year mandate.
- A revised 2028 Congress partnership agreement with AAPQ was approved.
- Revisions to the Board Manual were approved.
- Revisions to the Employee Manual were approved.
- A Conflict of Interest Policy for Awards of Excellence jurors was approved.
- The proposal by the Discovery Group was approved for the recruitment of an Executive Director in the Fall of 2026.
- An RFP on a study on fees in the profession was approved.
- The draft 2026-2028 Strategic Plan was approved for presentation and ratification at the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
- The 2026 CSLA budget was approved.
- An Inclusive Language Guide in English was approved.
OALA and CSLA meet University of Guelph Students
On October 28th, Brendan Stewart, professor at the University of Guelph hosted five OALA members who presented about the professional associations.
Pictured from left to right in the group photo are Professor Brendan Stewart, Christine Abe, Tim McCormick, Steven Shuttle, Justin Whalen and Alana Evers. Thank you for volunteering your time!
Submit your nomination for the 2026 Recognition Awards Program
Nominations are open for the following CSLA awards: the Schwabenbauer President's Award for Service to the CSLA, the Community Service Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Teaching Award and the Emerging Professional Award.
All nominations can be made through the Good Grants system. For more information follow the link below.
Deadline: February 16, 2026 at 4pm ET.
Upcoming landADAPT Webinar: The St. George Rainway: Blue Green Systems for Climate Adaptation and Livability
Cherie Zhi Xiao, Cameron Owen and Erica Mason
Thursday, January 29, 2:00-3:30 ET
To address the impacts of climate change and enhance urban biodiversity, the City of Vancouver is beginning to build a network of blue-green systems across the city. The St. George Rainway is one of the first large-scale pilots to be built; it brings 4 blocks of green rainwater infrastructure to St. George Street because of a local community group that advocated to honour and daylight a buried creek. This presentation is a case study of the project, with team members presenting on planning, design, construction, and on-going maintenance.
Did you miss a webinar? Don’t worry! The recordings are available on our website, and you can watch (or rewatch) them anytime. Closed captions are available in both English and French. Visit the webinar archive here.
Call for Volunteers: Co-Chair for the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Are you committed to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in landscape architecture? Would you like to help lead CSLA’s national efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more equitable profession? If so, you may wish to apply to serve as Co-Chair of the CSLA Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
This committee supports implementation of the CSLA’s national Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and related initiatives, including:
- raising awareness and sharing resources;
- identifying and reducing barriers to entry and retention in the profession;
- coordinating training that promotes more just and inclusive practice.
The new Co-Chair will serve alongside an experienced current co-chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and will work closely with CSLA staff, and representatives of the component associations and partners organizations, including LACF and the College of Fellows.
The Co-Chairs are responsible for:
- chairing monthly meetings (September to June)
- contributing to setting meeting agendas
- providing twice yearly updates to the Board of Directors
- contributing to the CSLA Annual Report
- participating in twice yearly joint meetings with the Reconciliation Advisory Committee
Please send the following to Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director, at executive-director@csla-aapc.ca by February 2, 2026:
- your CV; and
- a brief statement of interest (1–2 paragraphs) describing your experience with justice, equity, diversity and inclusion -related work and why you are interested in the Co-Chair role.
If you have any questions about the role or the work of the Committee, please contact Michelle at the email above.
Call for Abstracts for the 2026 CSLA-APALA Congress (New Deadline)
Blurred Edges: Celebrating Thresholds of Change
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) together with the Atlantic Provinces Association of Landscape Architects (APALA) invite qualified experts to submit abstracts for presentations and sessions to be presented at the upcoming 2026 CSLA-APALA Congress.
In-person presentations are scheduled to be held at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront in Halifax on June 5th and 6th, 2026. We expect 200 to 250 delegates to be present.
New Deadline: December 15th, 2025 at 4pm ET
CSLA–OALA Joint Submission on Ontario’s Proposed Changes to Green Development Standards
The CSLA, together with OALA, has submitted a formal response to the Government of Ontario regarding proposed legislative changes under Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025. The joint letter outlines significant concerns about the repeal of existing sustainable design tools, reduced municipal authority to apply green development standards, and the implications these changes may have for public safety, long-term infrastructure costs, and Ontario’s green infrastructure sector. Our submission calls on the Province to work collaboratively with qualified professionals to establish harmonized, evidence-based standards that meet housing objectives while supporting climate resilience, biodiversity, and community well-being.
Statement on the 2025 Federal Budget
On November 17th, the Government of Canada’s 2025 federal budget passed the House of Commons by a narrow margin—170 to 168.
Member News
Congratulations to Jonathan Cha, AAPQ, CSLA, the new mayor of Montreal West
The CSLA congratulates Jonathan Cha, AAPQ, CSLA, on his election as mayor of Montreal West. A dedicated member since 2006, former member of the CSLA Cultural Landscapes and Legacy Committee, Awards of Excellence juror and recipient for his doctoral thesis entitled: Shapes and significance of Montréal's Victorian Squares (1801–1914). Jonathan now puts his expertise in planning and strategic development to work for his community. Congratulations, Jonathan!
In Memoriam: Roger Green
We are saddened to announce the passing of CSLA Fellow Roger Green on October 29, 2025.
LACF News
Your support for students and research is needed more than ever!
Your generosity can open doors.
Every contribution—big or small—helps fund scholarships, research grants, and fellowships that support the students and researchers who will lead the future of landscape architecture in Canada.
Pay it forward this season and make a tax-deductible donation today.
On behalf of LACF and the next generation of landscape architects: thank you.
Partner News
Eastern Bridge Project: Public Participation Report for round 1 now available
In collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the National Capital Commission (NCC) has published the initial public participation report for the Eastern Bridge Project.
The report captures input about community priorities, potential impacts, mitigation measures, and planning and design principles from over 5,000 survey respondents and members of the three public advisory groups.
The AAPQ launches its call for nominations for the 2026 Frederick Todd Awards
The AAPQ officially launches its call for nominations for the 2026 Frederick Todd Awards, an honorary distinction that recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of landscape architecture in Quebec.
Deadline: Thursday, February 5, 2026
IFLA sends expert delegation to COP30, issuing a call to action
This diverse team of global leaders who represented the Federation at November's COP30 Brazil bring together deep expertise and a shared commitment to advancing climate-resilient and sustainable landscapes worldwide.
IFLA's COP30 position statement urges world leaders to put landscape at the heart of climate action.
Call for Speakers: Landscape Architecture Foundation 2026 Summit
Have something to say? Apply to speak at LAF’s 2026 Summit!
Planned for June 4-6 in Detroit, the Landscape Architecture Foundation's (LAF) Future Now summit will demonstrate taking innovative ideas to action to shift paradigms and address climate change, biodiversity, and equity through initiatives big and small.
2026 Environmental Design Competition: Designing Dementia-Friendly Villages
This international competition encourages post-secondary students to explore how planning and design can create dignified, inclusive, and therapeutic environments for individuals living with dementia. Participants are invited to propose innovative models of dementia-friendly villages or communities that emphasize dignity, belonging, autonomy, and connection to nature.
Key Dates:
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Final Presentations: Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Village Square, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario (in-person or live online)