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CHANGING WORKPLACE REVIEW

ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL
SECURITY AGENCIES APSA
PRESENTATION OCTOBER 31 ST
2016
WHO WE ARE
Since the early 1990s, the Association of Professional Security Agencies APSA
has been the official voice representing our security industry Members across
Canada. Our National Office is located in Toronto, Ontario. We provide advice and
assistance to Federal and Provincial Ministries concerning the security industry. Our
President is a standing member of the Private Security and Investigative Services
Advisory Committee (PSISAC) for the Ontario Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services where they provide input, guidance and advice regarding the
Ontario Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA). We establish
standards and ethics for the security guard service industry, in keeping with the
benefit of our clients and the protection and safeguarding of the public-at-large.
Our Members provide Security Services to Hospitals, Banks, Industrial Plants, Malls,
Office Towers, Retail outlets, etc. APSA continually works with its community
partners, the various policing service agencies and their respective associations, in
support of our common goals and objectives for keeping the public-at-large safe
from harm.
We have a history of working with the various levels of Government as it relates to
Legislative reform and how it directly affects our Industry, specifically with the
MCSCS as it relates to Private Security Licensing. We participate in ongoing Round
Table discussions and hold routine meetings with the Director/Registrar, PSISA.
WHO WE REPRESENT
We represent both small and large Security Agencies, unionized and non-unionized.
Our Members include the following:
1. APEX Investigation & Security Inc.
2. Canadian Security Management
3. Commissionaires Great Lakes
4. Commissionaires Ottawa
5. G4S
6. GardaWorld
7. Genix Protection
8. Innovative Security Management (1998) Inc.
9. Intelligarde International Inc.
10.Knights on Guard

11.LaBrash Security Services


12.Lyndon Security Services Inc.
13.Progarde Security Services Ltd.
14.Reilly Security Services
15.Russell Security Services Inc.
16.
Stinson Security Services Ltd.

GENERAL CONCERNS
Since 9/11 our Sector has been affected by a number of changes. The introduction
of individual portable licensing; mandatory training requirements; a higher demand
for our services in traditional and non-traditional markets; and a significant change
in our labour demographics; have all directly affected how we deliver our services
today. Regrettably, specific sections of our current Employment and Labour laws,
have become barriers for meeting our contractual relationships with our client
groups. Governments being a client group. Currently there are approximately
75,000 Security Professionals licensed in Ontario. This number includes both in
house and agency security professionals.
We want to make it very clear that we are not an anti-Employee or anti-Worker
organization. We are in the business of providing specialized Human Capital services
to most business sectors operating in Ontario. We are the provider of Employment
to approximately 20,000+ Employees including Young Persons, starting their careers
in Policing/Correctional Services; Newcomers, that require job bridging until they
secure employment in their career of choice; and the Retired Worker, due to certain
circumstances, are not able to afford to retire and chose to work in Security to
supplement their retirement income.
As an industry and sector, it is becoming more and more difficult for our Members to
meet the challenges of the competitive marketplace. Our labour market in the early
90s has changed significantly over the past twenty plus years.
Referring to the law as in 1993 1995 is not being progressive. The nature of our
work includes long term contractual relationships with the clients of which we
provide guarding and protective services.
Some of the options recommended for consideration would prohibit us from meeting
these specific contractual obligations. We also believe that a few of these options, if
implemented, will have a significant impact on our Sector of which will result in job
loss. We require a market place that balances Employer, Employee and Customer
responsibilities and obligations.
However, we do congratulate the government for this much-needed review. As an
Association representative of several Security Agencies, we would welcome the
opportunity to set up a specific round table event to provide you with a more
detailed response for your review.

Since there has been such a marked change in the Security Industry and the nature
and variety of the services we provide to the market place, we would like the
Minister to consider sector specific exemptions, similar to our first responder
partners e.g. Fire, Police, and Paramedical Services in the areas of:
1. Hours of Work and Eating Periods
2. Public Holiday Pay
3. Overtime Pay
4. Shift Work, and
5. Termination and Severance Provisions specifically as it relates to the transfer
of contract from one Employer to another
6. Etc.

SPECIFIC PROPOSED CHANGES OF CONCERN


ONTARIO LABOUR RELATIONS ACT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Related and Joint Employers


Sectoral Bargaining
Increasing access to unionization
Successor Rights
Consolidation of Bargaining Rights
Replacement Workers

SPECIFIC PROPOSED CHANGES OF CONCERN


ONTARIO EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT
1. Definition of an Employee
2. Definition of an Employer e.g. expanding the concept of related employer
and joint employer
3. Exemptions, Special Rules and General Process as it specifically relates to
managers and supervisors and the student exemption from the three-hour
rule
4. Leaves of Absence and Personal Leave Provisions
5. Hours of Work and Overtime Provisions specifically reducing the overtime
threshold from 44 to 4o Hours of work
6. Eliminating the Qualification Criteria for Public Holiday Pay
7. Increasing Vacation entitlements
8. Pay and Benefit options for Temporary and Part-Time Employees

NEXT STEPS
1. What is the next step?
2. When do you expect the introduction to any changes to either of these Acts
to the Legislative Assembly?
3. Would it be possible for us to arrange for a meeting with you and our
Members to discuss in more detail our specific concerns?
4. Would you like a brief outlining in more detail our specific concerns?

Thank you

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