The Town of Oakville is developing a new arborist licensing by-law.

The goal of the by-law is to provide added protection to the town's urban forest by enhancing regulations contained in the tree protection by-law.

We want to hear from you!

At this open house learn about what the proposed by-law will mean to you – as an arborist, arboriculture company or tree company - and tell us what you think.

Arborist LicensingBy-law Open House

•Council directed staff to licence “arborists” as

part of the tree protection by-law

•Annual licensing of certified arborists,

arboricultural and tree companies will help

protect and enhance the town's urban forest

and tree canopy by promoting increased

accountability when trees are removed

•Licensing will be similar to existing private

industries such as landscapers, pool

contractors, and fence installers

•Staff will present a report to Council outlining

recommended arborist regulations,

implementation timeframes and resource

impacts in fall of 2017

Background

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

• Insurance certificate - $2 million liability

•Articles of Incorporation/business partner

information

•Criminal reference check-owner

•Applicants information e.g. name, address

•Proof of qualifications

Licensing rules and regulations

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

"Arborist" means a person trained and

knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture

and satisfies at least one of the following

requirements:

•Currently accepted as a consulting arborist

with the American Society of Consulting

Arborists

•Registered Professional Forester (RPF) as

defined in the Professional Foresters Act,

2000, S.O. 2000, c. 18.

•Certified by Ministry of Advanced Education

and Skills Development or the International

Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

•For the purposes of this by-law, an arborist is

able to assess health and structure of tree and

conduct tree maintenance work except work

that requires climbing (working aloft), rigging,

and using a chainsaw

Class A-Arborist

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

"Arboriculture Company" means a company

with knowledge of all aspects of arboriculture

and has staff holding valid certifications in the

following areas:

•Arborist

•Certified Tree Worker

•Certified Chainsaw Operator

An Arboriculture Company is able to assess

health and structure of tree and conduct tree

maintenance work

Class B-Arboriculture Company

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

"Tree Company" means a company capable of

removing, pruning, root pruning, cabling

(bracing and propping), fertilizing, planting,

stumping or transplanting a tree but not able to

assess the health of a tree.

•A Tree Company must have staff holding

valid certifications in the following areas:

•Certified Tree Worker

•Certified Chainsaw Operator

Class C- Tree Company

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

•“Certified Chain Saw Operator” means a

person trained and knowledgeable with the

skills required to safely maintain and operate a

chainsaw, personal protective equipment, pre-

operation inspection, kickback prevention,

notching, limbing and felling

•“Certified tree worker climber specialist”

means a person holding the credentials of an

ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist or

equivalent

Definitions

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

• Qualifications: what proof is required? References

or on-site inspection?

• How many need qualification?

• What about certified Ontario arborists?

• Reg. 63/09 Arborist def

• Qualifications for everyone on staff in company

conducting work in Oakville or just for

owners/management?

• ISA or Ontario

• Proof of qualification: how does it apply to a

company who’s owner is not an ISA but the

employees are?

• Will proof of eligibility for WSIB be required?

• WSIB

• Tree permit to have company name on actual

permit. “Enforcement”

• Ontario college of trades?

• $5 million liability

• What foes the Town have?

• Does in house training have equivalence?

• Chipper safety?

Comments:

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House

• Do all workers need to be certified?

• Qualifications? 25+ years in industry with no

certification – grandfathered?

• Join CLASS-B and CLASS-C

• MOL- re-certify 3-5 years

• Working at heights

• Link landscaper with Class C

• Chipper safety- training available in Ontario

• Transition

• Some companies operating for years – not arborist

• Oakville test

• What about in house approved training

• Humber- urban arboriculture

Comments:

Town of Oakville | Arborist Licensing By-law Open House