LO this week: February 16, 2011

Durham Chapter this week
Add the Durham Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Humber College job fair, Feb. 23
Humber College is working in partnership with Landscape Ontario to host a
job fair for students currently enrolled in Horticulture
Pre-Apprenticeship and Landscape Design programs. The students are available
for hire and eager to work in the summer and/or fall of 2011. The job
fair will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 205 Humber College Blvd.,
Toronto. Employers planning to attend are asked to register with
Landscape Ontario’s Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com, or Humber College’s Terrie Greco at terrie.greco@humber.ca.


Durham Chapter meeting, March 1
Join the Durham Chapter at the Holiday Inn, 1101 Bloor St., Oshawa, for the most popular meeting of the year! The annual spring MTO meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. Contact Helen Hassard at Helen@landscapeontario.com for more
information.

Skid-Steer Certification Training, Mar. 3

A seminar to demonstrate how to operate a skid steer safely and
correctly is scheduled at Hertz Equipment Rental 411 Bloor West, Oshawa,
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The seminar will include instruction on basic
operator safety, inspection, and equipment characteristics in accordance
with applicable OSHA regulations and equipment manufacturers’ guidance.
Each participant will receive classroom evaluation and demonstrate
proficiency in a simulated job-site environment. Participants are
required to bring (PPE) Personal Protection Equipment, work boots,
gloves, etc. Lunch is not provided. Cost to LO members is $110, and for
non-members it is $170. See more information, or register.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For
Durham Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham Event
Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The program includes educational seminars on
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge, and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Georgian Lakelands Chapter this week
Add the Georgian Lakelands Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Utilizing Dynascape,
Feb. 17
This Dynascape seminar is exclusive to the Georgian Lakelands Chapter.
The seminar will take place at Solty’s Garden Centre, RR 3, Cookstown,
starting at 9 a.m. and running to 4 p.m. DS| Design Solutions product
manager Len Hordyk will walk you through a hands-on, interactive
demonstration of Dynascape Design and Colour. All registered attendees
are able to receive an exclusive, free 30-day trial version of the DS|
Design software to install in their laptops, for use during and after
the event. Lunch is not included in this event. Cost to LO members is
$115, and non-members is $192. To register or for more information on
other educational opportunities in the Chapter,
go to Seminars.

First aid with Level ‘A’ CPR, Feb. 22 and 23

A two-day practical first aid course at Solty’s Garden Centre, RR 3,
Cookstown, meets WSIB requirements and prepares participants to
administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape crew
must have a member with first aid training to assist injured workers.
Participants must bring a blanket. The course begins at 8:30 a.m. and
runs to 4:30 p.m., both days. Cost to LO members is $150, and for
non-members, it is $220. Lunch is not included. Register here.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Georgian Lakelands Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham Event
Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The program includes educational seminars on
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge, and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Check out Georgian Lakelands Facebook Page.

Golden Horseshoe Chapter this week

Add the Golden Horseshoe Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Golden Horseshoe Chapter meeting, Feb. 24
Don’t let a small mistake cost you your business or your life! Get
educated on utility locates at the Golden Horseshoe Chapter meeting on Thurs.,
Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This lunch meeting will feature the Ontario
Regional Common Grounds Alliance. The meeting will take place at Copetown Community Center, 1950 Governors Rd., Copetown. Contact Helen Hassard at Helen@landscapeontario.com for more
information.

Safety essentials for foremen, Feb. 24

This program is designed to teach supervisors, safety committee members
and representatives of organizations their responsibilities under the
Occupational Health and Safety Act. It will take place at Copetown
Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. 99 Rd., Copetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Participants will examine regulations that pertain specifically to
landscaping-maintenance and construction. In addition to this,
participants will examine their organization’s health and safety
standards in relation to the legislation. Lunch is included in the $221
cost.
For more information, or to register, go to Seminars. 

First aid with Level ‘A’ CPR, Mar. 4 and 5

A two-day practical first aid course at Copetown Community Centre, 1950
Hwy. 99 Rd., Copetown, meets WSIB requirements and prepares participants
to administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape
crew must have a member with first aid training to assist injured
workers. Participants must bring a blanket. The course begins at 8:30
a.m. and runs to 4:30 p.m., both days. Cost to LO members is $150, and
for non-members, it is $220. Lunch is not included in this event. For
more info, or to register.

Parks and Landscaping Equipment Safety Operations
A workshop to help the competencies
of experienced employees, and set the foundation blocks for
those being introduced to green space maintenance and
management, will take place from Feb. 22 to 25 at Gale Centre Arena, Niagara Falls, Click here for a map and directions. Participants will be introduced to best practices
and learn the skills required for safe operation of small hand tools to
large grass cutting and turf care equipment. Working safely in a parks/municipal environment requires a comprehensive
understanding of the tasks at hand and the equipment designed to
effectively and efficiently perform the work. The course is $881.40 for OPA members, and $1,000.05 for non-members. Click here to register online now.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Golden Horseshoe Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen’s, 1520 Stone Church Rd. East, Hamilton. The program includes educational seminars on
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Due diligence training, Mar. 10

What is required from a company to practice due diligence under the law?
A one-day program that is designed for all owners and managers to
jump-start their health and safety program will take place at Copetown
Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. 99 Rd., Copetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring copies of their current programs,
as well as any relevant materials for discussion. Lunch is included in
the cost of $221. For more information, or to register, go to Seminars.

Peel Halton Job Fair, Mar. 30

Employers have the opportunity to recruit and interview potential
candidates on-site at the Peel Halton Job Fair at the International
Centre, Hall Five, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga. The event begins at
10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. The one-day job fair serves the Peel and
Halton regions. For more information, go to Job Fair.

London Chapter this week
Add the London Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

London Landscape Symposium, Mar. 4
The second annual London Landscape Symposium will take place on Mar. 4,
at Ramada Inn, 817 Exeter Rd., London. Presentations will take place
from Unilock, Permacon, Boral, In-Lite, ICPI and Laguna. Featured speaker
is Jennifer Barlow of Lerners LLP. A buffet lunch will be provided, and
there will be lots of product giveaways. The event will run from 8 a.m.
to 12 noon; RSVP by Feb. 23 (limited space for two guests per invite)
to London@grandriverstone.com, or 519-652-5476.

Natural Solutions Symposium, Mar. 9

A series of speakers will discuss natural fertilizer and pest control
products and practices for the landscape and retail greenhouse
industries in London. The event will take place at Fanshawe College,
from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For further information, or to register, check out
the Symposium website, or email Katherine Lomas at katherine.lomas@hotmail.ca.

CLP Strategic Planning module, Feb. 22

The strategic planning module session will review the process of
establishing a strategic plan for your business. The session will take
place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TLC Professional Landscape, 2026 Oxford
St. E., London. It is strongly suggested that each participant read and
review the CLP manuals prior to taking each course and exam for best
success. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. For more
information and to register go to London seminars.

CLP risk module overview, Feb. 25
The CLP module Risk, Contracts and Legal Requirements covers risk
management, contract law and business structures. This topic will help
the business owner to minimize day-to-day risk. The second part of the
day is geared towards the CLP module, Marketing and Sales Management.
Topics include pricing strategies, market research, promotion,
competitive bidding, contract negotiation, as well as customer service
and effective communication. The seminar will operate from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. at TLC Professional Landscape 2026 Oxford St. E., London. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. For more
information and to register go to London seminars.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon

has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For London
Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen’s, 1520 Stone
Church Rd. East, Hamilton. The program includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

London Chapter meeting, Mar. 8

Come to the Lamplighter Inn, Royal Palm Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S.,
London, and join the chapter at a social hour starting at 6 p.m.,
followed by an information meeting at 7 p.m., on How to Utilize Your LO
Membership Perks. Find answers to questions on how use your associate
supplier discounts, online website profile, getting certified and more.
This is a great opportunity to meet suppliers and members. There will
also be displays of new products from the London area. Come see what is
new. The meeting sponsor is OLS Canada. There is no charge for this
meeting. For more information, contact Wendy Harry at 519-488-0818, or
1-888-211-5606, ext. 2356, or wharry@landscapeontario.com.

Ottawa Chapter this week

Add the Ottawa Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

First aid with Level ‘A’ CPR, Feb. 22 and 23
A two-day practical first aid course at St. John Ambulance, 5 Corvus Crt., Ottawa, meets WSIB requirements and prepares participants
to administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape
crew must have a member with first aid training to assist injured
workers. Participants must bring a blanket. The course begins at 8:30
a.m. and runs to 4:30 p.m., both days. Lunch is not included in this event. For
more info, or to register.

How to run profitable projects, Feb. 24

Business owners and managers will benefit from this seminar that demonstrates the true costs of business, while identifying areas that
companies can improve on within the operations, both administratively as
well as on-the-job. This seminar will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa. It will
teach participants how to save time and money for your firm by being
better organized. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members.
Lunch is not included. For more info, or to register.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Ottawa Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 10 at 2011 Hampton Inn and Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Educational seminars include
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Winter seminars underway
Check out the Ottawa Chapter Winter course schedule here.

Toronto Chapter this week
Add the Toronto Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Humber College job fair, Feb. 23
Humber College is working in partnership with Landscape Ontario to host a
job fair for students currently enrolled in Horticulture
Pre-Apprenticeship and Landscape Design programs. The students are available
for hire and eager to work in the summer and/or fall of 2011. The job
fair will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 205 Humber College Blvd.,
Toronto. Employers planning to attend are asked to register with
Landscape Ontario’s Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com, or Humber College’s Terrie Greco at terrie.greco@humber.ca.


Toronto Chapter meeting, Mar. 3
Join the Toronto chapter at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, at 6:30 p.m.
for an informative presentation by Rory Sheehan called Becoming a Sales Professional. This presentation will cover closing
the sale, overcoming objections and how to build value instead
of dropping the price. For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon
has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Toronto Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham
Event
Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The day includes educational seminars on
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Meet hiring needs on Mar. 22
The City of Toronto is offering Landscape Ontario members free
participation in the annual City of Toronto/Landscape Ontario
recruitment fair. Approximately 200 job seekers (adults and youth) with a
large variety of landscaping experience, or desire to work in the sector
will attend. The event will take place at the YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street,
Toronto (Yonge/Wellesley) from 2 to 5 p.m. For full details and to
register, email Linda McGrath at lmcgrat2@toronto.ca, or phone 416-397-7317. It is recommended to register early, as space is limited.

Peel Halton Job Fair, Mar. 30

Employers have the opportunity to recruit and interview potential
candidates on-site at the Peel Halton Job Fair at the International
Centre, Hall Five, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga. The event begins at
10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. The one-day job fair serves the Peel and
Halton regions. For more information, go to Job Fair.

Upper Canada Chapter this week
Add the Upper Canada Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Upper Canada Chapter meeting, March 9

Join the Upper Canada Chapter at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee, for this highly anticipated MTO session, starting at 2 p.m. Two reasons
for attending: staying safe and staying compliant. Learn what’s new this
year in record keeping, load securement, general maintenance standards,
etc. This is considered the most important meeting of the year and will include elections for the 2011 chapter board. Back by
popular request is Frank Collins of Pro-Tech Transportation &
Industrial Safety Training Services. For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon

has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Upper Canada
Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 10 at 2011 Hampton Inn and
Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Educational seminars
include
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Upper Canada Training Session, Mar. 23
Come
out to 698 Station Road, Gananoque at 8:30 a.m. to learn about WHMIS, Bill 168, Lawn Care
Equipment Familiarization, Risk Assessment, Managing Compliance and
Hazard Recognition. Participants must bring their PPE, and everyone on site is
to have CSA footwear. Cost for both members and potential members is a
food bank donation. Lunch will be provided by the chapter. To register
or learn more contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Skidsteer certification, Mar. 24
Come
out to 698 Station Road, Gananoque at 8:30 a.m. for skidsteer (bucket and forks)
certification. Participants will receive laminated certification cards.
Participants must bring their PPE, and everyone on site is to have CSA
footwear. Cost is $125 for LO members and $150 for potential members.
Lunch will be provided by the chapter. Foodbank donations are
appreciated. To register or learn more, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Waterloo Chapter this week
Add the Waterloo Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Waterloo Chapter meeting, Mar. 2

Join the Waterloo Chapter at the Knights of Columbus, 145 Dearborn
Place, Waterloo, from 7 to 9 p.m. for an informative presentation about
locates by Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA). The Chapter
will also hold its elections for the coming year. For more information,
contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon

has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Waterloo
Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen’s, 1520 Stone
Church Rd. East, Hamilton. Educational seminars include
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Windsor Chapter this week
Add the Windsor Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Windsor Chapter meeting, Feb. 24

Join the Windsor Chapter at Dominion Golf Course, 6125 Howard Avenue,
LaSalle, from 12 to 3 p.m. for a presentation by the Landscape Management
Network (LMN). Lunch is included. For more information contact Helen
Hassard at hhassard@landscapeontario.com.


Employer Day, Feb. 23
The St. Clair College Landscape Horticulture Club is hosting
Employer Day on Wed., Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Landscape Ontario member companies are invited to participate in order to help fill any
employment needs, and to also help the students with their own
employment decisions. Students will come prepared with resumes and
questions and employers will be asked to give a brief overview of their
operations. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jay
Terryberry at 519-972-2727, ext. 2874, or jterryberry@stclaircollege.ca before
Feb. 17. There is free parking and refreshments.

Permacon Spring Tour 2011

Permacon

has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Windsor
Chapter members, the closet event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen’s, 1520 Stone
Church Rd. East, Hamilton. Educational seminars include
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also include product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

LO this week

Minimum wage remains at $10.25

The Ontario minimum wage rate will remain at $10.25 per hour in 2011.
Ontario still has the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada. The
Ontario minimum wage has increased by 50 per cent with annual increases
in the last seven years. This fall, the provincial government has
promised to appoint a committee, representing both business and workers,
to provide advice on the minimum wage in advance of the 2012 budget. Find Ministry of Labour minimum wage info here.

Green Roof seminars next week

Now is your chance to take advantage of two seminars next week that will
provide green roof accreditation. Green Roof Design 101: Introductory
Course will take place on Feb. 22, while Green Roof Implementation 201
will be held on Feb. 23. The courses are presented by Green Roofs for
Healthy Cities (North America). Each course will take place at the LO
office in Milton, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To find out more, or to register
for the introductory course go to Feb. 22, and to take Implementation 201, go to Feb. 23.

Video reveals Greening Ontario Highways project
A video produced by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre shows how
Landscape Ontario, local nurseries, horticultural suppliers, the
Ministry of Transportation and Vineland are collaborating with Ohio
State University on an initiative that will re-forest areas along
Ontario highways. To see the video go to Greening Ontario Highways.

Garden Inspiration 2011: Order your bulk copies!

Once again, Landscape Ontario is producing Garden Inspiration, a
64-page, all-colour magazine, featuring award-winning landscapes and
exciting new plants for 2011. Its unique flip format also features the
Canada Blooms Show Guide. Cartons of 100 can be shipped direct in
mid-March, or picked up at LO home office in Milton. Cost is $67 per
carton delivered, or $54 per carton picked up in Milton, both prices
include tax. Download an order form, or contact Angela Lindsay, alindsay@landscapeontario.com , 647-723-5305.

Building your Prosperity seminar, Feb. 17
The
introductory Prosperity Partnership seminar will get you started on to
the road of success. The next program is scheduled for Landscape Ontario
home office at 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton. It is intended to help
green industry members clarify what they excel at and what components of
their business need attention and improvement. A seminar workbook will
be provided. Take this online survey, to measure your strengths and weaknesses in the six Prosperity pillars. Click here for more information, or to register.

Landscape Lighting Symposium, Feb. 24
Don’t miss your opportunity to attend the second annual Lighting
Symposium. You will learn about 
LEDs, how to
properly shoot photographs of your night lighting projects, participate
in round-table discussions and visit the mini-trade show, all in one
building. Last year, the symposium was sold out, resulting in a move this year to
the
larger Grand Chalet venue in Milton. Register here, or view flyer for more information on this popular event.

Industry Canada creates SME benchmarking tool

Industry Canada has created a web page benchmarking tool which provides
background information on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The
program provides access to industry averages for income statement and
balance sheet items, financial ratios and information on profitability
for small- and medium-sized businesses, and features detailed financial
data on more than 600 industries across Canada, including more than 30
performance benchmarks to help small businesses determine how they
measure up to their competitors. To access the page go to
Benchmarking.

NEW employee handbook for garden centres

The Garden Centre Sector Group of Landscape Ontario has created a
template that all business owners can adopt and modify for their
business. This initiative was done to help you create consistency of
behaviour, training and job safety for garden centre employees. The
template is considered a guideline only, and employers are reminded to
make sure they are in compliance with up-to-date legislation. The
handbook template can be downloaded from Landscape Ontario’s website, Employee Handbook.