Backgrounder - Guard Services in Federal Buildings
OTTAWA – The Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board, today announced measures that will ensure that the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires can continue its long-standing tradition of providing security services to the federal government.
“Canada’s New Government is committed to supporting Canada’s veterans and recognizing their valuable contributions to Canada,” said Minister Baird. “One way to do this is to ensure that they continue to have access to well-paying, meaningful employment that gives them the opportunity to draw upon their immense security
experience.”
Under the Common Services Policy, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires must meet certain requirements to retain their right of first refusal for contracts to provide security guard services in federally owned or operated buildings across Canada. The Corps has provided these services to the Canadian government since 1945.
Due to increases in demand for security services and declining numbers of veterans, the Corps has faced challenges in meeting these conditions. Therefore, the policy has been amended to decrease the required number of hours that must be filled by veterans from 70 per cent to 60 per cent.
Furthermore, the definition of “veteran” has been expanded to include former RCMP officers who have been honourably discharged. These conditions apply only to fulfilling contracts awarded under the right of first refusal. These changes ensure the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires can continue meet conditions and retain their right of first
refusal.
For more information, contact:
Patrick Robert
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
Robert Makichuk
Chief, Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.
Guard Services in Federal Buildings
The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has provided security guard and commissionaire services to the Canadian government since 1945. The Corps is a not-for-profit organization that provides meaningful employment to Canada’s veterans.
Today, under the Common Services Policy, Public Works and Government Services Canada is responsible for contracting for security guard services in federally owned and operated buildings. Traditionally, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires has had the right of first refusal of government contracts for guard services.
In 2004, the policy was amended to set out conditions that the Corps must meet in order to keep their right of first refusal:
70 per cent of working hours must be filled by veterans as defined in the policy.
This percentage requirement must be met in each Corps Division with the exception of Ottawa and Montreal where recruitment to fill bilingual positions has been particularly challenging.
Due to increases in demand for security services and declining numbers of veterans, the Corps has faced challenges in meeting these conditions. On December 8, 2006, amendments to the policy went into effect that will help the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires continue to meet the conditions and retain their right of first refusal.
The amendments see a reduction of the percentage of working hours to be filled by veterans reduced to 60 per cent, averaged across the country. Formerly, the Corps had to reach 70 per cent in each region. Furthermore, the definition of who may be considered a veteran has been expanded to include former members of the RCMP who have been honourably
discharged. These conditions apply only to fulfilling contracts awarded under the right of first refusal.
