LO enews August 26, 2020

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August 26, 2020

Celebrate Ontario’s frontline heroes – Join LO’s Garden Makeover Team!
Over the past two months, Landscape Ontario has called on the public to nominate frontline heroes in their communities. They have responded with over 700 nominations of frontline heroes from across the province who have shown dedication and selflessness during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nominees have a chance to win the grand prize $25,000 garden makeover or one of nine valued at $5,000 — one in each of the association’s regional chapters.

Now, we are reaching out to Landscape Ontario members for their support. We need your help to make these garden makeovers a reality. Join the garden makeover team!

Learn more about the program and read the stories of the first four finalists at: LandscapeOntario.com/hero

Alan White
Chair, Landscape Ontario’s Covid-19 Task Force

Enter Garden Centre awards by Sept. 1
Landscape Ontario members who sell plant material, hardgoods, giftware and more have until Sept. 1 to enter projects and events in this year’s Garden Centre Awards of Excellence program.
Enter online via LOawards.com

WSPS answers top five pandemic-related small business questions
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), has compiled a handy document with answers to the five most commonly asked questions from small business owners. Get the answers about masks, temperature screening and more.

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.

Peer to Peer Virtual Summit, Sept. 24-25
This year’s two-day event has been transformed into a virtual half-day workshop on Operational Efficiency with Frank Bourque and Arden Urbano, PLUS a virtual half-day workshop on Exit Strategies and Succession Planning with Mark Bradley, Frank Bourque, Jacki Hart, David Wright and Brian Cotter. Online registration coming soon.

Construction, Maintenance and Design Awards close Oct. 1
Entries for Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program are open to all members until Oct. 1. Winning an award is a great boost for your team and a great marketing tool for your company. Enter online via LOawards.com

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.

Declared Emergency Leave ends Sept. 4
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development recently announced that Declared Emergency Leave (DEL) established under the Employment Standards Act is no longer available, and that the COVID-19 period for Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDML) will end Sept. 4. Read the full details at HortTrades.com.

Green Infrastructure Ontario Webinar Series
Green Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), is offering a webinar series focused on green infrastructure (GI) asset management planning. The remaining webinars are scheduled for Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Register now.

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.

Help to celebrate 50 years of history
Landscape Ontario is looking for old photos of your company or of involvement with the association for a book that will celebrate our 50th anniversary. Share your historical images or stories. Email adennis@landscapeontario.com.

LO SEMINARS

Professional Development Guide 2019-2020

Professional Development Seminars

Watch for full seminar listings early this fall.

UPCOMING LO EVENTS

LO Garden Centre Awards of Excellence entry deadline, Sept. 1
Virtual Peer to Peer Summit, Sept. 24-25

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.