LO enews September 30, 2020

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September 30, 2020

Showcase your work as the greatest in Ontario
Entries for Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program are open to all members until Oct. 1. Winning an award is a great marketing tool for your company — not only does it verify to potential clients you have the skill, creativity and knowledge to design, install or maintain a property, it also creates a sense of pride and satisfaction among your team. Enter your projects now for a chance to have your work recognized as one of the Greatest Landscapes in Ontario. Top winners go on to compete at the national level. Extensions may be given until Oct. 15 on a request basis. For full details and to enter, visit LOawards.com

Minimum wage goes up tomorrow
Minimum wage rates in Ontario will increase 25 cents Oct. 1, 2020 to $14.25 per hour. The student minimum was will also increase to $13.40. Learn more.

Ottawa Chapter Meeting, Oct. 7
Pre-register for the Zoom meeting at noon that will feature an industry update (safety protocols, available resources and and insurance update) with LO President, Dave Wright and association Executive Director, Tony DiGiovanni. Those pre-registered also have a chance to win a $100 gift card. Register online.

Technical training instructor applications due Oct. 9
Landscape Ontario is hiring part time and full time Technical Training Instructors to support the delivery of a new entrant landscape horticultural training and employment program that launched in September 2020 and will continue during the winter of 2021 across three regions (Hamilton, Muskoka/Kawartha regions). Learn more at HortTrades.com.

Have you renewed your LO dues?
Landscape Ontario is calling and emailing members this week who have yet to renew their annual membership dues. We would like to thank those members who have continued their investment with Landscape Ontario — allowing us to provide valuable benefits and actively develop the profession. If you haven’t renewed already, please renew your membership today!

RFP for Bala GS Park in Muskoka, Ont.
Expressions of interest are due Oct. 21 on and RFP for the supply, installation and maintenance of Bala GS Park in Muskoka. The project completion date is June 2021. Get the RFP documents online via HortTrades.com.

Register staff now for the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program
Now is the time to get your staff registered for the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program. In-class training is provided through Algonquin, Fanshawe, Humber and Mohawk Colleges. Apprentices can now take advantage of new Tools Grant on top of other financial incentives for apprentices and their employees. Full program details at horticulturetechnician.ca.

GROW Program offers skilled workers this fall
Landscape Ontario, in partnership with SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO), funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, is delivering an innovative training program that will develop in-demand new entrant workers to the profession in the Toronto, Hamilton and Muskoka/Kawartha regions. Interested in hiring an entry-level GROW Program graduates this fall? Apply to be an employer partner online.

Join LO’s Garden Makeover Team
Over the next two weeks, Landscape Ontario’s Covid-19 Task Force will be selecting recipients of the Garden Makeover Program. We need your help to make these garden makeovers a reality this fall and into next spring. Volunteer to join the garden makeover team ! Learn more about the program and read the stories of the first four finalists at: LandscapeOntario.com/hero.

Provide feedback for the new Employer of Choice Program
Landscape Ontario will be offering an 8-week applied, on-line training program for our members to strengthen and showcase our industry’s employee and workforce practices in order to help attract and retain a sustainable and competitive workforce.We are looking for specific feedback from members to inform some of the content and design of the program. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be used to inform the program design.

Order safety materials for trucks and equipment
Order up to 10 "Don’t let your guard down" decals at no cost. Simply email Meghan Greaves or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2301. Bundles of 100 decals can be ordered at cost for $32.25 per 100. The decals measure eight by 2-1/2 inches. The LO Covid-19 Task Force encourages members to place as many as possible on equipment and trucks. Posters promoting safety and featuring basic action points have also been developed, and are posted for free download. Versions in English, Spanish and French are available, as well as artwork to paste into email signatures.

Ottawa accepting bids for landscape architectural services
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has posted a Request for Standing Offers (RFSO) for Heritage Conservation Landscape Architectural Services in the National Capital Region. The closing date is Oct. 15. Details online at HortTrades.com.

LO’s COVID-19 Resource Hub includes guidance for working safely
LO’s resource centre now includes key health and safety protocols, supplementary resources, and a list of PPE suppliers as guidance to update your health and safety policies and procedures. Be sure to check out the Safe Work Protocols page, the Posters and Signage page and the Business Continuity page for the latest updates.

LO SEMINARS

Professional Development Guide 2019-2020

Professional Development Seminars

Watch for full seminar listings early this fall.

Construction, Maintenance and Design Awards deadline, Oct. 1
Ottawa Chapter Meeting, Oct. 7

Visit the Events page at HortTrades.com

QUICK LINKS for LO ACTIVITIES

Not a member? Sign up here
Pay your member dues online
Free magazines and LO e-news for employees and students
LO member cost savings programs
New pending members

Details on advertising in LO enews

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association
7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada
1-800-265-5656
rob@landscapeontario.com
HortTrades.com

With more than 2,500 professional members, Landscape Ontario is the province’s premier horticultural trades association. Our mission is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario.