Features CANASA Update Opinion
Strong leadership and best foot forward

Our association continues to be strong and engaged in many activities that help our membership and the entire industry. I was elected as CANASA’s National President last June, along with a committed and dynamic National Board of Directors. Our first challenge was to replace our Executive Director, JF Champagne, who left CANASA to take on a leadership role at the Automotive Industry Association in Ottawa. We promptly engaged the services of a professional search firm to assist in the hiring of a new leader and after following a rigourous recruitment process, we selected Heather Terrence as our new Executive Director. Heather brings extensive experience and expertise to CANASA and she has already proven to be an effective leader. Recruiting Heather will prove to be a legacy of our 2015-2017 Board of Directors and I would like to thank them for their efforts and support during the transition.

The CANASA staff effectively managed the association during our hiring process and focused on continuing to deliver member services and engagement. During the fall, we continued to provide top level industry events, including Security Canada Atlantic, a successful Security Canada Central show held in October and a Monitoring Symposium that featured engaging topics in that sector. CANASA also hosted golf events, member meetings and continued to deliver on our commitments to all of our stakeholders.

CANASA has been active on alarm response issues, working with police services in Quebec City, York Region and Toronto. We continue to build effective relationships that will help us collaborate with law enforcement agencies across the country.  

Our CANASA staff, volunteers and membership will help guide and shape our future. 2017 marks the 40th Anniversary of CANASA and look forward to this milestone achievement. I know we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to.  

Richard McMullen is the National President of CANASA (www.canasa.org).