LO enews December 9, 2020

Apply for the expanded CEBA Loan
Beginning Dec. 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses. Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by Dec. 31, 2022. Learn more.

Province invests $20 million in apprenticeship
The Ontario government announced $20 million in funding to support apprenticeship in the skilled trades. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, made the announcement at Landscape Ontario member TLC Landscaping Design and Pools in London, Ont. on Dec. 4, 2020. Full details at HortTrades.com.

Congress Connect Virtual Marketplace
Registration for Congress Connect is now open! Launching Jan. 5, 2021, Congress Connect is a year-long marketplace where you will find out about the latest landscape and horticulture products and specials and connect with leading suppliers and manufacturers. Registration is free, and includes: 365-day access to the virtual marketplace, new product showcase, Drive LIVE, Hardscape LIVE, and Green LIVE education session, plus the two keynote sessions of the Congress Connect Conference. Register for free now!

Congress Connect Conference, Jan. 12-14
The Congress Connect Conference is a virtual event in 2021 that will provide a lot of advantages. The biggest, is that you will be able to take it all in from the comfort of your home or office. That means no travel or accommodation costs. Another huge benefit is your conference pass will provide on-demand access to each and every session, which you can watch anytime for one full year. Register by Dec. 18 to get early bird pricing!

Landscape Designer Conference, Jan. 11
The 2021 Landscape Designer Conference will be loaded with great ideas from leading professionals, including Ron Koudys, Danee Marie Lambourne, and Mark and Ben Cullen. There will also be a pair of panel discussions featuring: Elizabeth Hendriks, Rob Keen, Stefan Weber, Dan Werner, Karen May, Beth Edney, Paul Brydges, Sean James and Haig Seferian. Register by Dec. 18 to get early bird pricing!

Earn CEC’s at the IPM Symposium, Jan. 11
Landscape Ontario’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium has been a uniquely respected event since 1965. Attendees will earn 6 CECs from the IPM Council of Canada. Register by Dec. 18 to get early bird pricing!

Toronto Chapter Winter Social, Dec. 10
LO members in the Toronto Chapter are invited to connect virtually via Zoom to celebrate the season and catch up just before the holiday. Carry on the tradition of the Chapter’s Winter Social. Festivities start at 7 p.m. Details online at HortTrades.com.

Online entry now open for Ottawa Chapter contractor awards
Back for 2020, the Ottawa Chapter Awards of Distinction is now accepting entries online for the contractor awards program. Categories include best hardscape, softscape, lighting, design, woodworking, and more! Details on the Ottawa Chapter page.

LO is hiring Technical Training Instructors
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.

Show your support for FLP expansion to Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is interested in supporting the Fusion Landscape Professional program and making it available to contractors in the Ottawa area, in order to meet their stormwater management targets. If you are an Ottawa area-based company interested in the program, please complete this short survey.

ApprenticeSearch.com and Skills Ontario survey
Our partner organizations ApprenticeSearch.com and Skills Canada Ontario are surveying young people, parents and skilled trades employers to learn more about how they can best support the next generation of skilled workers. These surveys will be used to inform the types of resources and supports they create for all three stakeholder groups. Take the employer survey

Ontario One Call Excavator Survey
Ontario One Call has launched an online excavator survey until Dec. 18 that will help the organization to make decisions for the future. Have your say. Take the survey.

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 10 winners at: LandscapeOntario.com/hero.

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.
 

Online Seminars (10-11 a.m.):
Plant Names and why they are important, Jan. 19
Great Qualify = More Clients​, Jan. 20
Science of Phenology, Jan. 21
Lighting 101: Light and photometrics, Jan. 27
If Trees Could Talk, Jan. 28

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.

Follow us on