LO enews March 25, 2020

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March 25, 2020

		Members unite in the fight against COVID-19 The LO Board of Directors responded quickly to the spread of COVID-19 to create a special Task Force to help provide business owners and staff with support, resources, ideas and a unified voice to government. Working closely with LO staff, we have compiled a number of resources that are constantly being added to based on phone calls and questions coming in. We are currently lobbying government to provide some clarity on which sectors and activities of the landscape profession are deemed to be Essential. These are difficult times. As you balance the need to maintain income, with the health and safety of your employees, customers and the public, please know that if you are working under your own interpretation of Ontario’s List of Essential Business, you may be putting people at risk. Just because you can, does not necessarily mean you should. Please limit your work to only Essential activities and follow all physical distancing protocols and all possible safety procedures. Please do not take risks that will jeopardize the safety of your employees or the public or tarnish the reputation of the profession as a whole. In these turbulent times the situation continues to change daily. Stay informed, stay positive, and stay safe. We will get through this together. Visit the LO COVID-19 Resource Hub for the latest information.
			Dave Wright LO President

Free LO Webinar: Practical Ideas to Help Protect and Preserve your company, March 26

This free webinar presented by landscape Ontario at 10 a.m. on March 26 will be a strategic discussion to support members as we navigate through these uncharted waters. Discussion will include strategy and best practices around: Financial planning and managing risk; Preserving cash; Leadership managing your people; Customer relations; Sales and Marketing; Ask your questions. Register online.

Free Webinar by EIO Solutions on HR during COVID-19 crisis, March 27

This is a live and interactive webinar series hosted by EIO Solutions for Landscape Ontario members to get relevant information during the COVID-19 crisis. Stay informed with help from Legal, Ministry of Labour and EIO HR experts. Register online.

The New Landscape: Strategic Planning in the COVID Economy, March 30

You have three choices in the face of this pandemic: panic, pretend, or plan. Planning is the only one that gives you power and places the fate of your business in your own hands. Join business coach and entrepreneur Warren Coughlin at 1:45 p.m. for this free webinar that helps you to plan and protect your business from the effects of the COVID-19 economy. Discussions will focus on the four strategic areas: cash flow, supply chain, team and marketing/customer relations. Register online.

Canada Blooms feature garden builder awards

Judging for the 2020 Canada Blooms feature garden builder awards was completed prior to the festival being cancelled. Videos are also being added over the coming weeks. View winners and images of each garden online in an article on HortTrades.com.

Connect with members of your sector online

A number of Landscape Ontario sector groups have set up private, online Facebook discussion boards that allow members to connect in order to ask questions, share ideas and be social online. Join the discussions online being held by Landscape Contractors, Growers, and Garden Centres.

Watch the Business Development Canada webinar

BDC recently held a webinar for Canadian entrepreneurs, where experts shared short-term economic perspectives and advice on how to manage through the COVID-19 crisis. Watch online.

New LO Podcast features Adam Bienenstock

Adam Bienenstock and Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds are winning the war against screen time, one spectacular playground at a time. Hear why connecting kids to nature is so important to Adam and his team on the latest LO Podcast. Listen for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or online at Landscapeontario.com.

LO Winter Seminars cancelled

The remaining seminar season has been cancelled. Please continue to check our website for rescheduling updates.
Those already enrolled will be contacted directly. We thank you for your patience during this difficult time. Full details at HortTrades.com.

Spring LO Chapter meetings and events cancelled or postponed until further notice

Landscape Ontario events and meetings scheduled this spring have been cancelled or postponed until a later date. The Ottawa Chapter Meeting at Living Landscapes has been cancelled. Gear up for Spring has been postponed, with a date to be announced later. Visit HortTrades.com for more details.

Water Smart Irrigation Professional seminar cancelled

The WSIP training seminar scheduled for March 23 and 24 at the Landscape Ontario offices has been cancelled. Classes will be rescheduled at at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact: wsip@landscapeontario.com.

WSPS offers free Pandemic Policy tool

Under Occupational Health and Safety Act laws, employers have a duty to protect workers from known hazards, which may include pandemic flu and other infectious illnesses. One way to meet this obligation is to establish a company policy for handling outbreaks. Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) has provided a free tool, titled, Model Policy on Pandemic Flu & Other Infections Illnesses, businesses can adapt based on government templates and best practices. Full details at HortTrades.com.

Root smart healthier trees rooted in science a.m.a.

Connon Nurseries Waterdown, Trenton and Newmarket

LO SEMINARS

Professional Development Guide 2019-2020

Professional Development seminars
Seminars for the 2019-2020 season are online.

Visit HortTrades.com/seminars.

UPCOMING LO EVENTS

Maintain Future Business: Practical ideas to protect and preserve your company, March 22 at 10 a.m.
EIO Solutions on HR during COVID-19 crisis, March 27 at 10 a.m.
The New Landscape: Strategic Planning in the COVID Economy, March 30 at 1:45 p.m.

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.