The Canadian Security Investigations Association (CSIA), which says it is a non-profit organization, plans to officially launch Oct. 7, but has already begun seeking support and recruiting is set to begin in early September.

In a letter sent to Canadian Security, the CSIA states, “We are the first and only association to finally answer the desperate cries of the individuals who work in the security industry”¦”

President Dan Rousseau, formerly employed with the RCMP in Quebec and currently employed in the private security industry, says the association’s goal is to try and standardize benefits and wages for security guards.

Rousseau worked in mobile patrol for a large security firm after he left the RCMP and says he was shocked at the standards he found in the industry in terms of the rate of pay and lack of benefits.

“I never though the security industry was that deprived,” he says. “We need to change the face of the industry.”

The CSIA benefit packages range in price from $30 to $55 charged bi-weekly plus a one time $55 set up fee. They also offer additional services for parking ticket coverage, emergency taxi service, legal/paralegal services, work vehicle damage deductible coverage and CAA membership.

The benefit packages will be managed by HR solutions provider Morneau Sobeco.

“What I have found really repulsive is that some of these guards have just $10,000 in life benefits but $10,000 is not enough to bury you if you die,” he says.

Rousseau says the goal is to improve the security industry but he insists the CSIA is not in competition with the unions.

“The security industry is very deprived,” he says. “In no way is this to be a union; we are merely trying to fill a gap. We are in no way taking advantage of the security industry. We want to standardize the industry and give financial relief to the agencies that employ guards.”

When asked if he was aware of the other security industry associations in Canada, Rousseau said he knew of CSIS and ASIS but understood that ASIS “is aligned towards technicians and those in the monitoring industry.”

On the CSIA website, the “Services and Fees” section refers to “Services offered to the GTA Area,” however Rousseau insists the organization will be national, as the name suggests, and that it will also try to appeal to all levels and job descriptions in the industry, even though the material is primarily targeted at security guards and investigators.

The CISA has partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation Toronto and plans to hold six charity fundraising events per year. Rousseau says a portion of the fundraising goes to Make-A-Wish and a portion goes to the association. On the “Sponsor” page, company logos indicate who has made donations to the CSIA fundraisers.

In marketing the association to the industry, Rousseau says the CSIA is going to make use of a list obtained from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

“We have a Ministry list of 517 agencies in the industry and we hope to have someone from the Ministry on our advisory board,” he says.