Welcome to the Spring edition of the APMA Newsletter.

We just completed another successful workshop and education event held in Red Deer. A big thanks to Jeff Watts from Bird-B-Gone Pelsis for providing an amazing workshop and presenting on the education day.  It was about 6 years since Jeff was here prior. Our keynote speaker Sarah Latyn from Target Speciality Products presented on bed bugs. She is a very powerful speaker who had everyone’s attention. I cannot say this enough; thank you to all the board members and volunteers who just instantly step up on the day to help out with all the little things that make the day a success.

At the education event I introduced President Elect Geraldine O’Sullivan from Orkin Canada. She will be taking over the reins early in 2027. Geraldine is well suited for this new challenge and is excited for the opportunity.

The CPMA recently finished their election cycle. There were 3 candidates and I am pleased to let every know I was the successful person. For the remainder of 2026 I am the President Elect of the CPMA. I will take over the reins from Sameer Thawer when he finishes his term at the end of PMC in Vancouver to be held in the spring of 2027. I am really excited for the opportunity to serve. This will be my second time in the chair; and I am optimistic about the experience it will bring.

You may notice at our education events I never stop talking. I try and touch as many people in the room as possible. Some of my best moments on the day are the side conversations I have in the hallway. I really appreciate the candid conversations with Andrea and Jason from Health Canada and Tanya from Alberta Environment.

I have always loved the fact that Alberta Environment is so science based. When they post the numbers of reported misapplications by class typically you see structural pest control incidences are very low. Over the last few years though this trend is changing.

I have pressed for change around who should and can start a pest control company. I have always felt that you should have a minimum number of years of experience before you take the leap. An easy strategy would be that a person must complete 5 years in the industry and once they renew their structural applicator license they are free to take the plunge if they choose to. With this approach you can’t guarantee what they know, but they would have worked for a company, they would have grown with knowledge and be ready to take on this exciting path.

You may agree or disagree with the above. Here is the problem. At least 50% of reported incidences are coming from established companies.

As an industry we need to do better, leading for the future. At my company we have a saying ‘if you walk past something this is the new standard’. This means if you walk past a bait station that is missing a label, well this is the new standard. We need to find ways nicely to hold each other accountable, versus just keep walking.

Let’s raise the bar together, get back to basics, and take ownership for things that are not quite right.

Our next workshop is to be held on Thursday November 5th and the education event is to be held on Friday November 6th. Mark your calendars.