CANASA Supports Quebec’s Bill 88 On Private Security

"I'm very pleased to share with you news of a major breakthrough for us : working in consultation with the Quebec Government on Bill 88, the new proposed law regarding private security, so that our views are heard as this important process moves forward. This would not have been possible without the tremendous effort, commitment and passion for the industry demonstrated by Normand Fiset, president, and Robert Branchaud, vice-president, of CANASA's Quebec chapter, who represented us very capably at the hearings about Bill 88 in the Quebec National Assembly on Feb. 17th."

Tracy Cannata, CANASA Executive Director

CANASA SUPPORTS Quebec’s BILL 88 ON PRIVATE SECURITY

For Immediate Release

Québec, February 17, 2005 - As part of its presentation at the National Assembly to the Institutions Commission’s private consultations on Bill 88, regarding the proposed law on private security, the Québec chapter of the Canadian Security Association (CANASA) presented its principal recommendations and comments to the Minister of Public Security.

Normand Fiset, president of the Québec chapter of the Canadian Security Association thanked the Minister of Public Security for having taken into account the concerns of the industry expressed during previous consultations. Some of the issues discussed were defining the respective roles of government and the security industry within a law intended to provide the best public protection, allow for the free and efficient operations of a vital and dynamic industry, and working closely together to develop the best regulation mechanisms.

Also, the Québec chapter of CANASA recognized that Bill 88 is “marked by realism and a good understanding of the industry”.

  • Realism , because the legislator did not try to solve issues that will need other consultations and regulations. This is especially the case for training which is an important priority for the industry, because it directly affects its work practices and relations with customers and the public.
  • Understanding, by the latitude given to the future Public Security Office and by measures that seem general enough to be sufficiently inclusive to allow regulation of aspects that Bill 88 could have omitted and that would have to be faced in the future.

Mr. Fiset indicated that one objective of his memorandum is “to make sure that we have the same understanding as the legislator on important points of the bill that are expressed in general terms”.

CANASA is also pleased with the future implementation of a Private Security Office and by the fact that the majority of the members of its board of directors will come from the industry. CANASA said it expects that provisions of the law regarding this Office will enable it to establish sector-based committees for each area of activity that would require a task force.

In this context, the Québec chapter of CANASA wanted to highlight the important position it has in the electronic security market as it represents 80 per cent of the companies working in this area in the province of Québec. Mr. Fiset stressed: “Our industry grows rapidly, with an average annual growth of 10 to 15 per cent over the past five years, which represents a market of $ 700 million in Québec and 8,000 jobs here, directly or indirectly.

Mr. Fiset concluded by expressing the support of the Québec chapter of CANASA for the implementation of the future law on private security. Tracy Canata, CANASA’s executive director added :“This is a welcome, forward-looking partnership by government and the industry. It may well serve as a model for other jurisdictions to work together with the industry to protect the public interest, while facilitating the growth and governance of an industry vital to the economic well-being and safety and security of Canadians.”

The CANASA memorandum is available on the Association Web site: www.canasa.org

Bill 88: Law on private security:
http://www.assnat.qc.ca/fra/37legislature1/Projets-loi/Publics/04-f088.htm

Sylvie Laflamme
Administrative Manager
CANASA Québec
T. 514.990.2349
Toll-Free 1.800.537.0774
F. 514.990.2349
E. slaflamme@canasa.org