| Toronto Chapter This Week To see upcoming Toronto Chapter news and events, click here | ||
| Budget allows tax breaks
for green industry services Canadian homeowners are now eligible for the Home Renovation Tax Credit outlined in the Harper Government’s 2009 Federal Budget. Families can claim a 15 per cent non-refundable tax credit for eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired after Jan. 27, 2009 and before Feb. 1, 2010. The credit will apply to expenditures in excess of $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15 per cent). To read more of the story go to www.horttrades.com/displaynews.php?n=599. | ||
| Chapter Meeting on Feb. 4 Those members who may have issues or need to clarify rules they must operate under, will have an opportunity to discuss and questions or concerns with local by officials at the Toronto Chapter meeting on Wed., Feb. 4. As well, the meeting will look at helpful tips on surviving a recession and making the situation work for you and your business. The meeting will take place at the Doubletree International Hotel on 655 Dixon Rd. from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. There is no charge for the meeting, however, an RSVP is required. Contact Stephanie at 1-800-265-565, ext. 354, or ssmith@landscapeontario.com. | ||
| IPM: Provides professional solutions Get the latest information on fighting pests in 2009 at the IPM Symposium. The Ontario ban has eliminated many familiar pesticides, but there is still a strong need for your services. The IPM Symposium has been helping green industry pros grow healthy landscapes since 1965 — don’t miss the 2009 edition, featuring the latest research, products, ideas and strategies including reports from OMAFRA and the MOE! For more details click here: www.horttrades.com/seminars/index.php?c=6. | ||
| Erosion and Sediment Control Course A document entitled “Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Urban Construction” was recently developed by Conservation Authorities and provincial and federal agencies for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area (GGHA) to aid in the protection and preservation of water quality, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and the form and function of our natural water resources. Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) and Conservation Halton (CH) are jointly providing an Erosion and Sediment Control Course to landscape contractors in February and March, 2009. The course is designed to provide information on the roles and responsibilities of contractors and regulatory agencies that operate in the Hamilton/Halton watersheds with regard to development and associated erosion and sediment control on construction sites. These development activities can include building construction, pool installation, earth works, and slope and shoreline stabilization projects. For further details contact Darren Kenny at 905-525-2181, ext. 131, dkenny@conservationhamilton.ca. website – www.conservationhamilton.ca. | ||
| LO This Week | ||
| OPA Trade Show – Feb. 4 The Ontario Parks Association’s 53rd Annual Educational Forum and Trade Show is Wed., Feb. 4, at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Follow the link for more information: www.ontarioparksassociation.ca. | ||
| Thriving in Any Economy – Feb 24 The Landscape Ontario Task Force on the Economy will present a day-long seminar focused on the helping your nursery thrive in a volatile economy. It is scheduled for Tues., Feb. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Copetown Community Centre, 1950 Highway 99 E., Copetown, Ont. Follow this link for a map. Registration fee of $120 includes lunch. Click herefor online registration. or online registration. This session by George Koziarz will focus on optimal accounting practices necessary to understand the profitability of your business. George has extensive experience in the nursery business and provides consulting services to many green industry companies in the U.S. and Canada. The day will also feature a panel discussion. For further information, please contact Kathleen Pugliese at 1-800-265-5656, ext 309, or kpugliese@landscapeontario.com. | ||
| Safety Groups Program – Jan. 30 The first Safety Groups Program meeting is January 30th, so sign up right away! The program is designed to promote health and safety in the workplace. This is accomplished through mentoring, pooling of resources and sharing best practices between member firms, their sponsor and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Member firms can receive, along with improved safety records, financial benefits, in the form of rebates from the WSIB. To register for the 2009 program go to www.hortrades.com/prodev. | ||
| Showcase your talents – Mar. 18-22 Looking to add to your customer base this upcoming season? Canada Blooms is offering an exceptional opportunity to promote your business to consumers without breaking the bank! Book an exhibit space in the Professional’s Walk area of the show. Call Stephanie at 1-800-265-5656, ext 354, or e-mail ssmith@landscapeontario.com. | ||
| Prosperity Partnership – Best Practices – Feb. 17 If you have completed the Introductory Prosperity Partners seminar, this is the next step on your journey. On Feb. 17 at Hugh Foster Hall, 43 Brown St., Milton, Best Practices will be looked at in five areas: financial health, professional operations, sales success, leadership and developing customers for life. To register go to www.hortrades.com/prodev. | ||
| Learn why what worked doesn’t work – Feb. 12 and 20 A half-day workshop, entitled ‘Why What Worked Doesn’t Work Anymore and How to Make it Work,’ for business owners and managers is scheduled for Feb. 12 at the Best Western in Milton, and Feb. 20 at the RA Centre in Ottawa. Processes and techniques that work in good times do not always work during tougher times. The workshops runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with lunch provided. Cost is $125 plus GST. Register by February 2 or click here to view a flyer. | ||
| Growers Short Course 2009 – Feb. 11 Dr. Hannah Mathers of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is the featured speaker at this year’s Growers Short Course on Wed., Feb. 11 at Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington. The day begins with breakfast and concludes with the Growers’ Good Idea session, featuring six growers sharing their experience. Pre-registration is $65 for LO members and $75 for potential members. At the door, registration is $90, payable by cash or cheque only. The first sessions start promptly at 8:30. Click here to register online or download a brochure that includes the full agenda, a map and printable registration form. | ||
| Great opportunity at Canada Blooms Don’t be left behind – ensure your company stands out amongst the crowd by showcasing your skills and services at Canada Blooms 2009. There are a limited number of small, walled gardens available to LO members to showcase their skills to over 80,000 people from Mar. 18 to 22nd. Participants have access to mulch, sand, equipment, volunteer material handling, tickets to Canada Blooms and $9.00 per square foot of garden. For information contact Charlie Dobbin at charliedobbin@canadablooms.com, or via phone at 905-508-3806, fax 905-508-7489, or cell 647-283-1841. | ||
| Canada Blooms host hotel Canada Blooms has secured the new Hyatt Regency Toronto – formerly the Holiday Inn on King – as our host hotel. Reservations can be made by calling 416-599-4000, or 1-800-263-6364. Specify the Group Code CZWWW. Reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card. Special guest room rates for Canada Bloom’s partners have been set at $138 per night for single or double occupancy. This special rate is applicable on any date from March 14 to 24, 2009. Room availability is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. The reservation deadline for the special show rate is February 11. The Hyatt Regency Toronto – is located at 370 King Street West, in the heart of the Entertainment District – just a short two-block walk from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where Canada Blooms 2009 is being held. | ||
| Allan Dennis Editor, Landscape Ontario 905-875-1805, ext 320 adennis@landscapeontario.com www.horttrades.com To unsubscribe to this email, please click here. | ||
