LO enews October 7, 2020

October LO magazine now online In this issue: LO member, Avalon Landscaping is celebrating 55 years in business; most popular plants at this year’s Trial Garden Open House; preparing for a second wave of Covid; introducing Congress Connect; plus news for the profession, monthly columns and more. Read the October issue of LO magazine.

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 seminar Early booking discount available for all seminars booked by the end of the year (2020). 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!

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.

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.

Employment rights for infectious disease emergency leave
If a child’s school or daycare is closed due to COVID-19, parents have the right under the Employment Standards Act to take an unpaid, job-protected emergency leave. Read the full details of this standard at HortTrades.com.

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.

NLAE hosts panel on Planning and Plant Shortages in 2021, Oct. 9
Landscape contractors, designers, garden centers, professional gardeners and anyone who plans to purchase wholesale plant material in 2021 are encouraged to attend this free panel discussion hosted by the National Landscape Association Executives at 12 pm on Oct. 9. Register now.
 
¡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!

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.

New financial support for apprentices
The Ontario government pledged to spend an additional $75 million over the next two years to help apprentices cover living expenses during their in-class training. Read the full news release.

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 five 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.
 

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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