Landscape Ontario’s Congress is Canada’s largest international horticultural, lawn and garden trade show and conference.

Held on January 6 to 8, 2009 in Toronto, this year’s event featured ‘The Green Forum’ with displays, speakers and demonstrations all about practicing sustainable and responsible horticulture and everything one needs to know about defining green standards that will drive businesses, municipal governments and citizens at home and in global markets.

Following a crack-of-dawn (literally) Mayor’s Breakfast, attended by mayors and dignitaries from many of the towns and cities surrounding Toronto, the keynote address entitled ‘The Green City Initiative’ was delivered by Jan Habets, managing director of Plant Publicity Holland, one of the founders of the European Green City movement and an expert on horticulture and its importance to urban environments.

Throughout his presentation, Mr. Habets showed example after example of the benefits of making “green” an integral component of the urban infrastructure. From improved air quality and a reduction of the harmful impacts of Urban Heat Islands (UHI’s) to improvements in health and well being and a reduction in crime rates, the case continues to be made that “green” does not cost, but in fact can pay substantial dividends within our urban environments.

If you are interested in learning more about the Green City initiative, Mr. Habets’ keynote speech is available here for download.