News Release

Security Professionals Alarmed
with Security Act Subterfuge

June 28, 2007

Attention: News editors, business editors, justice and public safety writers

Legislation without consultation hurts all British Columbians

June 26, 2007, Vancouver, British Columbia: Bill 15, the Security Services Act, which was rammed through the BC Legislature with indecent haste last month is a poorly drafted attempt to update the rules and regulations that govern private security service providers in the province. Bill 15 was introduced at first reading the legislature on March 12, 2007, without notice to industry stakeholders. The Bill passed Second Reading on March 26, 2007 after only a half hour of debate. Bill 15 was rushed through Committee and Third Reading on April 16th.

The private security industry in British Columbia includes armoured car guard services, locksmiths, private investigators, security alarm services, security guards and security consultants. A federal study published in 2005 estimates that more than 16,000 persons were employed in the private security industry in 2001.

"Its alarming that the Minister of Public Safety chose to sneak this legislation through the legislature without advising or consulting industry stakeholders," said Karen McGee, President of the British Columbia Chapter of the Canadian Security Association (CANASA). "The last significant consultations with the government took place nearly five years ago. It's bizarre that the government believes that the people, who provide the first line of defense for homes, business, and even government itself, should not be consulted prior to legislative change. The industry has taken quantum leaps in the past five years, but the government chose to write 'yesterday's law' based upon 'yesterday's' story."

CANASA has written to the Minister of Public Safety, John Les, to express its concern with both the process by which this bill became law, and the content of the legislation itself. CANASA has called upon the Minister to delay proclamation of the Act and re-open consultations with industry stakeholders. "The people of British Columbia deserve the best legislation in areas vital to public safety," said McGee. "The Security Services Act isn't it. This Act is based upon outdated concepts of governance that do not take into account the driving forces and prevailing trends in the industry it seeks to regulate. It's never too late to start over, and do it right."

The Canadian Security Association (CANASA) is a national non-profit organization, established in 1977 and dedicated to promoting the interests of its members and the safety and security of all Canadians. We are the national voice of the security industry and have a growing membership of more than 128 companies across British Columbia, representing all major segments of the industry. We support our members through a comprehensive network of services, including high quality security education, government relations, marketing, communications, leading industry trade shows and the latest industry information and news.

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For further information please contact:
Karen McGee, President
Canadian Security Association
British Columbia Chapter
604-889-6665
kmcgee@canasa.org

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