LO this week: March 23, 2011

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

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


Chainsaw training, Mar. 28-29

The Ministry of Labour requires that all landscapers using chainsaws on
the job be trained on safe operation. This two-day seminar satisfies
that requirement. The second day will be spent in the field, working on
techniques and safe operation while cutting trees. The seminar will take
place at RAC Recreation, 6654 8th Line N., Waubaushene, each day from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost to LO members is $230, and for non-members it is
$384. Click here for more information, or to register.

Kick-off to spring barbecue, Apr. 20

Join the Georgian Lakelands Chapter for a special Sector Group
event, as landscape contractors are invited to a kick-off to spring barbecue hosted by by G.P. Masonry, 1319 Bayfield St.,
Barrie. You don’t want to miss this great kick-off to your spring
season.  Along with great barbecue, they will fire up the pizza oven.
There will be yard tours and suppliers will showcase their 2011
products, as well as a presentation from LO’s Landscape Contractors
Sector Group. Call Lexi Dearborn at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2317, fax
705-733-1400, or email lexi@landscapeontario.com.

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,
Mar. 24
The Golden Horseshoe Chapter welcomes you to its annual spring MTO
meeting, which takes place at Hamilton Builders’ Supply, 1067 Barton St. E., Winona,
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This meeting will feature Ian Walters of the MTO and J. Paul Lamarche. Don’t miss out
on this popular meeting! Contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext.
354, or helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.


Skid steer certification training, Mar. 31

Individuals who want to learn how to operate a skid steer safely and
correctly should attend this seminar. It 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, work boots, gloves, etc., for
this seminar. Cost is $221, and the course runs at Bobcat of Hamilton,
370 McNeilly Rd., Stoney Creek, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look here for more
information, or to register.

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

Volunteers needed for Spring Home and Garden Show
The London Chapter will again enter a feature garden/ booth into the
Spring Home and Garden show at the Western Fairgrounds. The event is a
great opportunity to promote LO members and the Green For Life brand. Volunteers are
needed to help build and man the booth: Set-up, Wed., Apr. 6, from 8
a.m. to booth completion, and tear-down, Apr. 11, from 8 a.m. to 12-noon. Lunch
will be provided both days. Booth schedule: Fri., Apr. 8, from 12-noon
to 9 p.m., Sat., Apr. 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun., Apr. 10, from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. Duty times are in increments of two hours. Admission and
parking at the show are free. Email Jason at jason@ruralrootslandscaping.com to add your name to the schedule, or find out the times still available.

Ottawa Chapter this week

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

New HortProtect broker in Ottawa
Bradley’s Insurance is the new insurance broker for CNLA’s HortProtect
program in Ottawa, sub-brokering for Marsh Canada. For further
information, contact Stacy Elliott.


Free tickets to Ottawa home and garden show
Nancy Carriere, show manager of the Ottawa Home and Garden Show, has
donated 100 tickets for Ottawa Chapter members.
This year’s show features a 2,000-sq. ft. Dream Garden, created by
Davis Landscapes, as well as presentations and demos. The Ottawa Home and  Garden Show runs from Mar. 24 to 27. The first 50 people who
email Ottawa Chapter coordinator Martha Walsh will receive a pair of tickets to the show ($24 value). See further information on the Ottawa Home and Garden Show.

WHMIS training, Mar. 29

Employers are required to provide annual WHMIS training for their
workers. This seminar at Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247
Kilborn Place, Ottawa, outlines the legislated requirements of this law.
Enroll your staff in this training, as they have the right to know
about hazardous products they deal with at work. For more details,
contact Sheila James at 613-253-7028 or email sjames@farmsafety.ca.
Note, firms must have WSIB coverage to attend this seminar. Cost to LO
members is $16, and for non-members it is $30. The seminar begins at 9
a.m. and runs to 11 a.m. To register go to WHMIS training.

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

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.

Toronto Chapter meeting, April 7
Join the Toronto Chapter at York Region Equipment Centre, 37 Esna Park Rd., Markham, at 5:30p.m. for the supplier showcase chapter
meeting. The meeting will include dinner and elections for next year’s
Toronto Chapter board. The chapter will also be piloting a new chapter
meeting structure focused on round table discussions and interaction.
For more information or to register for the event contact Helen Hassard
at 1-800-265-5656 ext. 354 or helen@landscapeontario.com.

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

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

Waterloo Chapter meeting, Apr. 6

Join the Waterloo Chapter at the Knights of Columbus, 145 Dearborn
Place, in Waterloo for the last meeting of the season. Edith George will
present an illustrated talk on heritage trees. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.,
with the meeting at 7 p.m. There’s also a 50/50 draw, sub sandwiches
and lots of great networking opportunities. Edith George is an advisor
to the Ontario Urban Forest Council and is a past director of the Weston
Historical Society. For further information, contact Helen Hassard at
1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Excavation seminar, Apr. 12

Learn about safe excavation practices from Phil Bruni, plant damage prevention field manager, Union Gas Limited, Hamilton-Halton-Waterloo
District. The seminar will take place at Knights of Columbus Hall, 145
Dearborn Place, Waterloo, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon. This seminar is
perfect for lead hands, foremen and supervisors. Owners are encouraged
to attend. Cost is $10 per attendee, and maximum $25 per company.
Register by email to lowaterloochapter@hotmail.com.
An invoice will be emailed. Payment should be brought to the seminar.
Cheques are payable to Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter. Coleman
Equipment is sponsoring the seminar, and is having an open house on Mar. 29.

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


Windsor Chapter meeting, 
Mar. 24

Join the Windsor Chapter at Dominion Golf Course, 6125 Howard Avenue, LaSalle,
from 5 to 8 p.m. for a presentation on Living
Roofs and LEED certification by Xero Flor Canada. Contact Helen
Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com. for
more information.

LO this week

What do your customers think about Green For Life?
Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association need
your help! We would like to ensure that our Green for Life campaign is
reaching your customers the way we had intended. The initiative was
launched to promote the many benefits of landscape horticulture,
attracting new clients for you, our members. We have designed a survey
to gauge consumer awareness and help shape the campaign’s future in a
way that best suits your needs. Please help us by distributing this link
to your clients: www.surveymonkey.com/gflpublic.

Keep employees informed with e-news
Each week members of Landscape Ontario receive the latest and relevant
information on what is happening in their association and industry. But
many employees of members are not receiving this information because
they are not signed up for the LO e-newsletter. All it takes is a name,
email address and Chapter location. Send the information to LO This Week and start having your staff stay informed.

Ministry of Labour holding workshops

A one-day workshop at six locations across Ontario will feature
information about the hazards and safety measures that the Ministry of
Labour will be looking for in workplaces. Participants will also receive
prevention strategies and resources that can be used to keep employees
safe from injuries and illness and the business free from fines and
penalties. Learn how the MOL is planning to respond to the Tony Dean
panel recommendations about changes and improvements to the health and
safety system in Ontario. To find out more information about the
workshops, locations, or to register, go to Health and Safety.

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.

Hire summer students

Businesses can apply to receive a $2-per-hour, per student hiring
incentive by contacting the nearest Employment Ontario Summer Jobs
Service agency. Visit the Employment Ontario website.