The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) is a voluntary, not-for-profit, national association which represents the dynamic and diverse sector of Canadian agriculture known as horticulture.
The CHC's members are primarily involved in the production and packing of over 120 horticulture crops comprised of fruit and vegetables. The CHC has been committed to promoting the interests of its members since 1922.
Mission
The CHC's mission is an unwavering commitment to advance the growth and economic viability of horticulture by encouraging cooperation and understanding to build national consensus on key issues, so as to deliver unified and clear representation to governments and other national and international parties.
Mandate
The CHC has a clear mandate to be a strong and active presence in the nation's capital on behalf of the sector by bringing issues to the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and other federal and provincial ministers and departments, as directed by membership.
Focus
The CHC maintains a broad focus on behalf of the membership. The issues embrace an extensive range of needs and concerns, such as:
Research and Technology:
access to crop protection tools and new technologies, including biotechnology
development of tools to facilitate the marketing of horticulture production
ensuring appropriate research is provided to the sector and that policy makers are kept aware of sector priorities and changing needs
Trade and Industry Standards:
- food safety, crisis management
- assisting commodity sectors when faced with threats to their business
- providing input on foreign trade agreements and ensuring favourable business environment through fair import and export rules
- monitoring plant health issues and actions
- ensuring a user-friendly regulatory environment
- communication and dialogue with value chain stakeholders
Finance and Human Resources:
- promoting equitable safety net programs for all horticultural producers in Canada
- monitor federal employment regulations and continue to support the FARMS and FERMES seasonal worker programs
Collation and dissemination of information to members is a key function of the CHC.
Committee Structure
The following committees are actively involved in addressing and bringing focus and consensus to issues of particular importance to their sector:
- Apple and Fruit
- Crop, Plant Protection and Environment
- Finance and Marketing
- Food Safety
- Greenhouse Production
- Human Resources
- Potato
- Research and Technology
- Science Advisory Committee
- Trade and Industry Standards
- Vegetable
Council = Active, Associate and Honorary Members
Board of Directors = Designated Representative per Active Member (vote)
Accredited Representative = Designated (voting) Representative for the AGM; may or may not be the Board Member
Finance Committee = One representative per region as designated by respective region
Executive Committeeimage = One representative per region as designated by respective region
The national office is responsible for coordinating, communicating and advancing the needs of horticulture as directed by the Executive and Finance Committees and the Board of Directors on behalf of the membership.
Governance
The governance of the CHC is the charge of the Executive and Finance Committees, who have been assigned this responsibility by the Board on behalf of the Board of Directors.
CHC President
2010 Executive Committee
| President |
Andy Vermeulen (NS) |
| 1st Vice-President |
Jack Bates (BC) |
| 2nd Vice-President |
Murray Porteous (ON) |
| Quebec |
Claude Laniel |
| Prairies |
Tony Kirkland (AB) |
| Past President |
Steve Levasseur (QC) |
| Executive Vice-President |
Anne Fowlie (Ottawa) |
2010 Finance Committee
| Quebec |
Jacques Demers |
| Atlantic |
Alvin Keenan |
| British Columbia |
Ray Biln |
| Ontario |
Charles Stevens |
| Prairies |
Bruce Hill (SK) |