Features CANASA Update Opinion
National perspective

CANASA understands the regional differences of our great country and we manage and produce the Security Canada expos accordingly. This may in part explain why as many as 70 per cent of people attending Security Canada do not attend other shows such as ISC West or ASIS International.

We added a sixth show in 2014 with the introduction of Security Canada Ottawa, which allows us to get a better security perspective on the National Capital region. The show was held June 4 at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre and I am pleased to report that it was a great success. We had the privilege to have Deputy Mayor Eli El-Chantiry, who is also the Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board, to provide opening remarks and open the show. During his speech, he mentioned a few times that “we must work better together and learn to share information.” His remarks specifically addressed the relationship between police services, municipalities and the private sector. We have heard that message many times and we have observed that it does not always lead to action. Mr. El-Chantiry pointed out that it is even a struggle to have different police services work together and share information. But I felt he was sincere and it is comforting to know politicians understand, more than ever, that solid public-private relationship is the only way to a viable economic model. Let’s hope that we find ways to maintain and improve our relationships.

I saw a great mix of people on the show floor, including traditional security contractors, communication specialists, security directors and government employees involved in security projects. There were many familiar faces but also new ones, many of whom were happy to see a Security Canada event in their region. I was most honoured and pleased to have the opportunity to meet for the first time Doug Rowlands. While Mr. Rowlands has been retired for many years, his contribution to CANASA is still felt today. I have come across his name countless time while reading minutes, resolutions, policies and other historical documents which shaped what CANASA is today. He was a national president of the association in the late 80’s and received the prestigious RA Henderson Award in 1992. He shared with us how he and other association leaders had to make hard decisions and at one point, “We had no money and did not know if CANASA would survive another 15 days!”

I was really proud to tell him how much we had come along and I knew his time as a volunteer many years ago had made a difference. Thank you, Mr. Rowlands, for coming to the show and for your lasting contribution to the association.

Long live Security Canada Ottawa. 

JF Champagne is the executive director of CANASA (www.canasa.org).