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About the Garden

Our Vision


Canadensis is a magical botanic place where visitors can enrich their lives with unique learning experiences that excite and stimulate the senses.

Our Mission

Canadensis is a beautiful and diverse botanic garden that provides all visitors with educational, interactive and enjoyable experiences in a unique, sustainable environment. The Garden promotes a deeper understanding of our intimate interdependence with nature and encourages the commitment and passion necessary to pursue environmentally responsible lifestyles.

This is accomplished by:

Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors brings together diverse experience, passion, and a shared commitment to creating Canada’s Botanical Garden in our nation’s Capital.

Gérald Lajeunesse
Chair

Gérald Lajeunesse

B.Sc., B.A.P., FCSLA

A native of Ottawa, Gérald first studied at Carleton University, and subsequently completed a second degree at l’Université de Montréal.

He completed his long career at the National Capital Commission (NCC), as Chief Landscape and Project Director. A member of the OALA, AAPQ, ASLA, a Fellow of the CSLA and recipient of the Governor General Medal for Volunteers, his accomplishments span over three decades of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design.

He has participated on several juries dealing with design and public art and continues to be involved in his community. Contributing to the enhancement of the quality of life of his community has been his lifelong passion.

Monique Oaks
Past Chair

Monique Oaks

Ms. Oaks is a business executive with over thirty-five years of general, sales, and marketing management experience and an outstanding record of achievements, including management of large projects such as the Results System for the Montreal Olympics. She specializes in strategic and business planning, interim management; personal and executive coaching, marketing and sales program design and development, and executive education.

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Courtney Flood
Treasurer

Courtney Flood

Raised in rural Newfoundland, Courtney completed her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Ottawa and became a Chartered Professional Accountant in 2018. She has spent most of her professional career in finance in the Real Estate sector and is currently Director of Finance at Windmill Developments, which focuses on developing communities within the resources of our planet.

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Steve Wilson
Chair, Membership Committee

Steve Wilson

Steve graduated from Algonquin College’s Electro-mechanical design program in 1969. In 2011, he retired from Optotek Limited, where he was head of Design Engineering Services producing state-of-the-art LED display systems for military and commercial applications. Steve is co-inventor of 3 different LED (Light Emitting Diode) based systems: High Density LED optical array, fabrication technique for the assembly of high-resolution LED printheads and a UV LED digital imaging system for screen printing.

As a former Vice-President of his neighborhood community association, Steve was strongly committed to the well-being of the community and actively supported local events and initiatives reflecting residents’ interests and priorities. He worked diligently to ensure the communities best interests were represented and defended.

Canadensis has been and continues to be an exciting and fulfilling part of Steve’s life.

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Dave Ballinger
Chair, Planning Committee

Dave Ballinger

David graduated from the University of Ottawa.

Prior to his retirement from Parks Canada, he was the Director of Operations for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and World Heritage Site.

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Satya Brink
Director

Satya Brink

Satya Brink misses the flowers of India, so she strives to maintain her garden at home and visits botanical gardens during her travels.

She is a social policy researcher with her Ph.D. from Purdue University, USA. She worked for the Canadian government for over 30 years and retired as the Director of National Policy Research in Learning at Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Now she is an international consultant, working for international organizations such as the World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and UNICEF in countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She has maintained her links with academia. She also contributes by serving on boards for the research and volunteer sectors.

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Tina Liu
Director

Tina Liu

Tina Liu is a Senior Design Manager specializing in landscape architecture, leading the National Capital Floral Experience and shaping year-round floral displays in Canada’s Capital Region, including the renowned Canadian Tulip Festival. A leader in sustainable design, national commemorations, and historical landscape preservation, she collaborates with government agencies, organizations, and communities to create meaningful and inspiring public spaces.

As an International Judge and Board Member of Communities in Bloom, Tina mentors communities across Canada and internationally in environmental sustainability, heritage conservation, urban forestry, horticulture, and community beautification. She is passionate about botanical gardens, Indigenous ethnobotany, and creating vibrant, resilient communities through thoughtful landscape design. Tina is also a LEED® Accredited Professional, reflecting her commitment to sustainable design and green infrastructure.

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Tommy Wingreen
Board Member

Tommy Wingreen

Tommy Wingreen has more than 35 years of experience in horticulture, greenhouse production, urban forestry, and landscape management. He holds a Master’s degree in Horticultural Science from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has worked internationally in Japan and the United States.

Tommy is a Professor and Coordinator in Algonquin College’s Department of Horticulture, where he leads faculty teams and teaches courses in greenhouse production, urban agriculture, woody plants, and landscape installation. He previously served as an Arboricultural and Horticultural Advisor with the National Capital Commission, contributing to urban forestry initiatives and disease management programs across the National Capital Region. Tommy brings deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to sustainable urban landscapes to his role with Canadensis.

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Owen Rowland
Board Member

Owen Rowland

Owen Rowland is a Professor of Biology and Biochemistry at Carleton University (since 2005). Owen teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in genetics, biochemistry and biotechnology. Owen’s federally- and industry-funded research program includes research on plant natural products, plant metabolism, plant-environment interactions, and biotechnology (https://carleton.ca/biology/people/owen-rowland/ ). Alongside his academic research and teaching, Owen is passionate about science communication and community engagement, especially in the areas of plant biology, biotechnology and molecular genetics.

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