LO enews September 16, 2020

Landscape Ontario members are invited to a Virtual Town Hall featuring business coach Warren Coughlin. Warren presented a webinar for LO members in the spring, and is excited to return to share his Eight Drivers of Profitability and answer questions from the audience. Additionally, LO Covid-19 Task Force members Alan White, Peter Guinane and Dave Wright will discuss how their companies pivoted in response to pandemic challenges — and opportunities.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: How to identify and implement 2021’s profitability drivers is free for Landscape Ontario members. Join us this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. or watch the replay later on our Youtube channel.

We hope you will attend and participate. Register now.

Joe Salemi
Deputy Executive Director – Director of Operations

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 four finalists at: LandscapeOntario.com/hero

Planning for the future webinar, Sept. 16
Top entrepreneurial coach Warren Coughlin is presenting a second webinar for LO members. He really enjoyed this spring’s webinar, and is preparing strategies the landscape profession will need for 2021. A panel of LO’s Covid-19 Task Force members will join Warren, and answer tough questions on how their companies pivoted in response to pandemic challenges — and opportunities. Panelists include Jeff Olsen, Alan White, Peter Guinane and Dave Wright, with moderator Joe Salemi. In addition, Warren will share his Eight Drivers of Profitability and take your live questions! Registration is free for LO Members.

Garden Centre Awards Deadline Extended
We know this season has thrown quite a few curve balls at you and many are still playing catch up. We also know how important it is to recognize garden centre excellence.  We want to see what the greatest garden centres have to offer, so we have decided to extend the deadline to enter to September 18. Don’t miss out – enter today!​

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

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. Register online.

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.

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.

Box tree moth resources for landscape pros
Box tree moth has been spotted in Etobicoke and it has the potential to defoliate and create dieback on boxwood plants. At the moment, all sightings must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Visit HortTrades.com to learn more.

Minimum wage to increase on Oct. 1
Minimum wage rates in Ontario will increase 25 cents on October 1, 2020 to $14.24 per hour. Learn 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.

Amendments to ESA extended to Jan. 2, 2021
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), recently announced an extension of the amendments to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The amended regulations have been extended to January 2, 2021. Visit HortTrades.com for full details.

Canada Blooms now accepting feature garden applications for 2021
If you have ever considered building a garden feature at Canada Blooms, now is the time to start that process. Canada Blooms is looking for designers, builders and architects to create spectacular, memorable and inspirational gardens based on the theme "Secret Garden." Building a garden at Canada Blooms can create an impression that will last a lifetime. Showcase your talent, creativity, craftsmanship and professionalism at Canada Blooms – March 12-21, 2021. If you are interested in submitting an application visit our website or contact Terry Caddo for details. Notice of intent to build should be received by Sept. 15.

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.

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.
 

Watch for full seminar listings early this fall.

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