Golden Horseshoe Chapter this week
Add the Golden Horseshoe Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks
Golden Horseshoe Chapter meeting, Mar. 24
 The Golden Horseshoe Chapter welcomes you to its annual spring MTO meeting, which takes place at Hamilton Builders' Supply, 1067 Barton St. E., Winona, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This meeting features Ian Walters of the MTO and J. Paul Lamarche. Don't miss out on this popular meeting! Contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.
First aid with level A CPR, Mar. 4 and 5
A two-day practical first aid course at Copetown Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. 99 Rd., Copetown, meets WSIB requirements and prepares participants to administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape crew must have a member with first aid training to assist injured workers. Participants must bring a blanket. The course begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs to 4:30 p.m., both days. Cost to LO members is $150, and for non-members, it is $220. Lunch is not included in this event. For more info, or to register.
Due diligence training, Mar. 10
What is required from a company to practice due diligence under the law? A one-day program that is designed for all owners and managers to jump-start their health and safety program will take place at Copetown Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. 99 Rd., Copetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of their current programs, as well as any relevant materials for discussion. Lunch is included in the cost of $221. For more information, or to register, go to Seminars.
Chainsaw safety training, Mar. 17
 For those who operate chainsaws, this program gives users a fundamental understanding of the care, operation and safe use. The course will take place at Brother Equipment Rental, 1154 Wilson St. W., Ancaster, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants must bring their own chainsaw for the purposes of demonstrations. They must also have their own PPE equipment, safety glasses, boots, hearing protection, face shield, safety pants/chaps and gloves. Lunch is included. Cost of the course is $221. Register.
Peel Halton job fair, Mar. 30
Employers have the opportunity to recruit and interview potential candidates on-site at the Peel Halton Job Fair at the International Centre, Hall Five, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. The one-day job fair serves the Peel and Halton regions. For more information, go to Job Fair.
LO this week
Canada Blooms opening night party, Mar. 15
 Don't miss opening night party at Canada Blooms at the Direct Energy Centre, starting at 6:30. Enjoy special guided tours of the award winning gardens, demonstrations by floral superstars Frank Ferragine, Albert Graves, Neville Mackay and Paul Zammit, along with a special salute to the 40th Anniversary of the JUNO Awards. There is also a silent auction, wine tasting, a cash bar and free parking. Highlight of the evening will be a special musical performance by JUNO Award Winner Carolyn Dawn Johnson. To order tickets, or to see more information, go to Canada Blooms.
Hiring summer students
Businesses can apply to receive a $2-per-hour, per student hiring incentive by contacting the nearest Employment Ontario Summer Jobs Service agency. Visit the Employment Ontario website.
CNN puts Canada Blooms in best destination category
 CNN has interviewed top garden experts to get the scoop on this year's best destinations to view beautiful, budding flowers, and Canada Blooms has cracked the list of top places to see beautiful flowers. To access the website, go to CNN
CLP Strategic planning and business assessment, Mar. 7
The Strategic Planning session will review establishing a strategic plan for your business. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. It takes place at the LO home office in Milton, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Note: Extra fees apply for exam or manuals. Visit www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499 for more details regarding cost and exam registration. A brief review on the CLP module Exterior Production Operations, including time for questions, will be held at the end of each seminar if time permits. Lunch is not included. Register at CLP
CLP Corporate Financial Management module, Mar. 8
Completing this seminar will guide you towards a clearer basic understanding of how to utilize and understand financial statements for smarter fiscal management and alleviate some of the frustrations that can accompany managing financials. Cost for LO members is $115, and for non-members it is $192. The seminar will take place at the LO home office, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more details, visit www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499. It is strongly suggested that each participant read and review the CLP manuals prior to taking each course and exam for best success. To register go to CLP.
CLP Human Resource Management module, Mar. 9
The CLP module Human Resource Management addresses one of the industry's greatest challenges. The seminar will cover recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and safety. This is a must for owners and managers in today's business climate. Visitwww.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499 for more details. The seminar will take place at the LO home office from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost to LO members is $115, and for non-members it is $192. To register go to CLP
CLP Risk, Contracts and Legal requirements module, Mar. 10
The CLP module Risk, Contracts and Legal Requirements covers risk management, contract law and business structures. This topic will help the business owner to minimize day-to-day risk. The second part of the day, on the CLP module Marketing and Sales Management, covers an important component of your strategic plan and a major pillar guiding healthy growth. The seminar will take place at the LO home office from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499 for more details. Cost for LO members is $115, and for non-members it is $192. To register, go to CLP
Industry Canada creates SME benchmarking tool
Industry Canada has created a web page benchmarking tool which provides background information on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The program provides access to industry averages for income statement and balance sheet items, financial ratios and information on profitability for small- and medium-sized businesses, and features detailed financial data on more than 600 industries across Canada, including more than 30 performance benchmarks to help small businesses determine how they measure up to their competitors. To access the page go to Benchmarking.
Professional development seminars
Quit hoping for Profit: Plan for it Mar. 7
CLT—Prep Seminar: Soft and Hardscape Installation Mar. 7
CLT—Prep Seminar: Turf and Ornamental Maintenance Mar. 7
Going Greener in the Landscape Industry Mar. 8
Building your Prosperity Mar. 9
IPM:The Good, the Bad, the Ugly Mar. 10
Growing Gretzkys:How to Find and Develop Superstars Mar. 10
Improved Grounds Maintenance Mar. 11
Quit hoping for Profit: Plan for it Mar. 21
Introduction to Pruning Mar. 21
YOU: A Leader, A Mentor, A Success Mar. 21
Essential Practices for Healthy Soil and Healthy Trees Mar. 22
Attend before you dig Mar. 22
Chainsaw Training Mar. 23
Estimating to Win Mar. 24
Attend before you dig Mar. 24
Introduction to Pruning Mar. 25
Stuck on Annuals Mar. 25
To register or get more information, click seminars.
Green roof design and ecosystem services, Mar. 16
 OAC's public lecture series through the University of Guelph continues from 5 to 6 p.m., with this year's Jack and Gerry Vandergrift lecture. This month's speaker is Ed Snodgrass, who has co-authored Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide and The Green Roof Manual: A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance. This event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. OVC Lifetime Learning Centre is located just off Gordon Street between College Avenue and Stone Road: access via McGilvary Road, Guelph.
Unilock to hold spring contractor seminars
Unilock's spring contractor seminars will include information on how you can build your own website effectively with special guest speakers from WSI, the Dos and Don'ts for Unilock Select Products and a look at correct aggregates for paving installations, and much more. The seminars are free of charge and include lunch. There will be ballots for a chance to enter a draw to win up to $40,000 in landscaping equipment. For dates and locations of Unilock seminars, visit Unilock, and to register, call Marcello at 905-887-1717, or email Marcello.cantanna@unilock.com.
Garden Tourism Conference in Toronto
The second Canadian Garden Tourism Conference, themed Blossoming Partnerships, will take place Mar. 14 and 15, at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. For more information on the event, and to register go to Garden Tourism Conference.
Support Foundation and win cash
Try your luck in the Ontario Horticultural Trade Foundation raffle, and help support your industry. Tickets are $20 each; first prize is $5,000, second is $1,000 and third is $500. Only 1,000 tickets have been printed. The draw will take place at the 2011 Growers Auction on July 15. You may donate in increments of $20 to get raffle tickets. All proceeds to go to scholarships and research projects. Contact Kathleen Pugliese to purchase tickets.
Order personalized, reusable tote bags by Mar. 18
 Reusable tote bags are a great gift for your customers, as well as, an eco-friendly way to promote your business. LO is offering a chance to order your personalized tote bags and give your company logo visibility. The bags feature your company logo on one side, and Landscape Ontario's attractive "Green for Life" icon on the other! Don't let your competitors beat you to it! The more members who purchase the bags, the cheaper the cost will be for everyone; price based on quantity ordered! For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656 ext. 354 or Helen@landscapeontario.com
WSIB's service for clearance certificates is online
 The WSIB launched its new electronic clearance certificate program, called eClearance, on Jan. 17. The WSIB says this online service will allow employers to easily check the validity of a potential contractors' clearance to avoid any financial liability when hiring independent operators / contractors. Contractors will be able to obtain an electronic clearance certificate to verify their WSIB account is in good standing, and both parties will be able to view clearance status at any time. For more information about clearance certificates, refer to OPM Doc. No. 14-02-04, Clearance Certificates: Employer Accounts.
Green Roof Boot Camp
A Green Roof Boot Camp is scheduled in Toronto the end of March. The event is an opportunity to become an Accredited Green Roof Professional. Location varies by day: Mar. 24, and Mar. 27 at Ted Rogers School of Management - Ryerson University, 55 Dundas Street West, and March 25 and Mar. 26 at Oakham House Room A/B, 55 and 63 Gould Street. Find out more information on the Boot Camp, or contact training@greenroofs.org
Landscape Industry Certified tests at Canada Blooms
 Written tests in all categories of Landscape Industry Certified will take place at Canada Blooms 2011 on Mar. 17. To register, visit Certification, and email completed registration form to rachel@landscapeontario.com, or fax 905-875-3942. Registration to take the tests closes Mar. 3.
Great Ontario Garden Guide
 The Master Gardeners of Ontario, with the help of sponsorship from Landscape Ontario, have created a brochure on gardening in Ontario. The Great Ontario Garden Guide is available for the low cost of only $20 per 100 copies. Act now and order some before they are in short supply. It is expected that this informative brochure will be popular with your customers. Use it as a sales promotion, goodwill tool, or just to say, "Thank You." Contact John Craw at jonbon@bell.net for further details.
OPA Foundation offers seven scholarships
 Ontario Parks Association Foundation Awards Program Once again, Ontario Parks Association Foundation is offering seven $2,500 scholarships and bursaries to students completing their first year in a program related to horticulture, landscaping, parks services, conservation, or environmental management. To see both information and registration form, go to scholarships. The deadline for applications is Apr. 29.
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Allan Dennis, editor
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