LO enews October 28, 2020

Have you heard about Congress Connect? We are very excited to share this new virtual marketplace with the Landscape Ontario community. But because we know this is a big change for everyone, we decided to host a town hall webinar to explain how Congress Connect works and what the platform has to offer. On Oct. 27, my colleague Joe Salemi and I were joined by Kyle Dugan from CONEXSYS, Wendy Ladd from Jim Pattison Lease and Andrew Knor from WPE Landscape Equipment, to talk about the marketing power of the Congress Connect virtual marketplace.

The webinar is available to watch anytime on the LO YouTube Channel. We hope you will check it out. To learn more, view our website to see the mock up of the platform, and reach out to a member of our team.
 

New guidance on masks in the workplace
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has provided some new material in developing your Covid-19 workplace safety plan originally released in June. Revisions include active screening or workers, air flow/ventilation, use of masks and what to do if there is a case of Covid in the workplace. Download the Word template online.

LO Pro-Dev courses for 2021 are online now
Landscape Ontario Professional Development seminars are scheduled for 2021 and details are now online. Space is limited with a maximum of 10 participants per in-person seminar. Register before Dec. 31 to get an automatic 10 per cent discount. View course listings 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!

Provincial government hosts employment standards webinars
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in partnership with organizations across Ontario are hosting webinars to help you understand your employment standards and occupational health and safety rights and obligations as they relate to COVID-19. Learn more at Ontario.ca.

Grower and Garden Centre Town Hall, Nov. 24
Join webinar host Jennifer Llewellyn (OMAFRA) and representatives from both Grower and Retail sectors discussing their business experiences over the past seven months and the challenges they have faced. There will be Q&A at the end of the presentation. Register for free at HortTrades.com.

Greenhouses can access government funded Covid-19 safety training
Ontario agricultural operations, including greenhouses, can now benefit from a free, government-funded consultation service to help choose the best options for protecting their workers from COVID-19. Businesses can also access up to $7,500 in funding to implement safety recommendations. Learn more at HortTrades.com.

¡No baje la Guardia!
In other words, Ne jamais baisser la garde — Don’t let your guard down! Now is the time to keep reminding your crews about safety protocols, and free materials from LO’s Covid-19 Task Force are perfect. Order free decals in Spanish and English, or download safety posters in Spanish, English and French. Don’t let your guard down!

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.

Help save 250 year-old red oak in Toronto
The City of Toronto is soliciting donations to protect a 250 year-old red oak tree. The city has an agreement to purchase the property and establish the space as a parkette to preserve and showcase the tree, however the completion of the sale is conditional upon the city fundraising $430,000 by Dec. 12, 2020. Learn more at Toronto.ca.

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 five finalists at: LandscapeOntario.com/hero.

Algonquin College seeks part-time horticulture instructor
Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ont. is accepting applications for a part-time Horticultural Industries Instructor. Learn more at the college’s website.

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.

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.
 

Visit the Seminars page at HortTrades.com

Visit the Events page at HortTrades.com

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.

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