Landscape Ontario Magazine - Landscape Ontario

January 2013

Previous Issues

President's Message

Time to solve skilled labour shortages

By Phil Charal

A Statistics Canada study that year found 24 per cent of Canadian companies were not able to find the right talent.

Feature

Congress offers inspiration and excitement for the new year

The holiday season fills us with a huge build-up of excitement and adrenalin and then — nothing — it’s back to work.

Specialist High Skills Major program helps both students and industry

Kathleen Phillips is an ambitious student at Craig Kielburger High School in Milton, who has made an aggressive decision about her career focus.

Our Canada Blooms garden team: Opportunity of a lifetime

By Paul Doornbos CLT, CLP

Team CB2013 is well underway with planning, drawing, cussing and discussing this year’s entry for your association, Landscape Ontario.

Association News

Governance meeting sets goals to improve LO

LO members serving on Chapter boards and Sector Groups gathered at the Association’s home office on Dec. 6, to discuss ways to improve the nine Chapters and ten Sector Groups under the Landscape Ontario umbrella.

Members asked to encourage political support of Flora Niagara

Flora Niagara is asking industry members to communicate with their representatives of government.

Heat influences this year’s trial gardens

By Rodger Tschanz

Every growing season offers a new set of challenges for those of us working to keep gardens healthy and vibrant.

Employer explains benefits of Safety Group Program

By Mike Watson

Everyone has heard all the inspirational lines, “Safety is a state of mind,” “Safety first,” and “Safety is our number one priority.” But, how many company owners and crew members actually back up those fluffy feel-good words?

GreenTrade is still Eastern Ontario’s must-attend trade show

Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter will celebrate 20 years of GreenTrade Expo on Feb. 13.

Lecture Series returns

Scott Wentworth OALA, CSLA and Daria Nardone OALA will headline Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Contractors Sector Group lecture series on Feb. 27.

Lighting conference welcomes acclaimed speaker

Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Lighting Sector Group is set to host the 4th annual conference on Feb. 20.

Growers’ short course returns to Guelph Legion

The annual Growers Short Course will take place on Feb. 6, at the Guelph Legion, 57 Watson Parkway S.

Volunteer Profile

Easy to recognize Paul DeGroot for more than his volunteer record

Paul DeGroot is an LO volunteer who stands out in a crowd. Even in a big crowd, his ever-present Dutch boy cap makes it easy to recognize the dedicated member.

Celebrating 40 Years

Landscape Ontario celebrates 40 years - 2001

Growth and change have marked Landscape Ontario’s history, but pride in the association shines throughout. The year 2013 is occasion for special pride, as your association’s 40th year.

Industry News

Freeman maple may be the best tree for urban settings

By Thelma Kessel

The search for the best urban tree may well end in the red and silver maple hybrid known as the Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii).

WSIB says appeals now faster

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) says part of its ongoing transformation is the modernization of its appeals program, “to ensure timely, fair and transparent resolutions.”

Le Conte receives irrigation award

LO’s Irrigation Sector Group past chair Chris Le Conte of Smart Watering Systems in Milton, has been awarded the Crawford Reid Memorial Award.

Chinese delegation at LO

The Smart about Salt program has been gaining great momentum and acceptance across Ontario, but recently reached across to the other side of the world.

Echo helps college program

Decked out in their red outfits, students of the Fanshawe College’s horticulture program gathered to thank Echo Power Equipment for the use of many pieces of equipment.

Membership

Working to make Chapters relevant

By Helen Hassard

For those of you who are not aware, Landscape Ontario Chapter representatives have been meeting regularly over the last few years to focus on the topic of relevancy.

Underground World

Safety fines up in 2013

By Terry Murphy CLP

The Technical Standards and Safety Association (TSSA), which is responsible for the safety of underground facilities, fuels and elevators, has announced higher fines for 2013.

Public Relations

Allowing chapters to prosper

By Denis Flanagan CLD

As we celebrate Landscape Ontario’s 40th anniversary, there are many conversations amongst members with regard to the early days in the industry and how Chapters were the driving force behind the success of this Association.

Safety And Training

Human resources issues dominate questions

By Sally Harvey CLT, CLP

We have received a high volume of emails and calls this past month in regards to human resources issues and challenges.

OMAFRA Nursery

OMAFRA, university and LO provide nursery scout

By Jen Llewellyn

In 2012, we were fortunate to receive funding through Landscape Ontario to hire a nursery scout to monitor services in Ontario.

Prosperity Partners

Why do you do what you do?

By Jacki Hart CLP

"When we are surrounded by people who believe what we believe, something remarkable happens...trust emerges.” Simon Sinek

Executive Desk

January renewal

By Tony DiGiovanni CHT