It is our pleasure to introduce and welcome the following new members in our team. Please join us in providing a warm ASP welcome to all the new members. We are proud to have you all as part of our team.

Matthew Szajkowski

Matthew joined us in March 2021 as Interim Operations Manager – Calgary Airport. Matthew takes over Ms. Elizabeth Warwick’s position and role as Elizabeth left for her Maternity Leave.

Matthew has over 6 years’ experience in the Security Industry where he has previously worked with ASP as well as Gardaworld and G4S in various management positions. He has successfully completed the Police Foundations Course from Humber College. His experience in managing day to day large scale security operations, Client Management, Forecasting and Scheduling of frontline staff will be a definite asset and a good fit for the ASP family.

Harjinder Kaur, Love Osadebe, Nathalie Gallagher, Natalie McMohan, and Melissa Cowan

Our Resource Planning team is expanding! Natalie, Nathalie, Love, Harjinder and Melissa joined our resource planning team as Planners.

Harjinder has extensive security experience as she has worked as a Security Guard as well as a scheduler with GardaWorld for over three years.
Love has completed her post-graduate from the University of South of Wales, UK. Prior to joining ASP, Love worked as a Customer Care Associate addressing and resolving customer needs.

Nathalie has over 9 years of customer service / sales experience. She built and maintained customer relationships, managed their complaints and took ownership of their account.

Natalie has worked largely in the retail industry managing stores like RONA and Mastermind Toys. While being responsible for entire store operation, her focus was on delivering exceptional customer experience at all times.

Melissa is a homecoming employee who worked at ASP and supported the HR department extensively last year as an administrative support. She is now joining us as a planner and will support the scheduling team. Her extensive experience and skills will be surely instrumental in the growth of the newly acquired FedEx Canine Contract.

“Matthew has over 6 years’ experience in the security industry”

“Our Resource Planning team is expanding!

Please welcome the new members to our team.”

At ASP, we value and recognize the diverse religious beliefs of our employees. The world is rich in diversity and so is our workforce which is reflected in the observances celebrated by its various cultures. Knowledge of the following diversity holidays and celebrations can enhance our workplace diversity and inclusion efforts. Throughout the months of April, May, and June, a variety of religious holidays, festivals, observances, and spiritual commemorations took place. These events were celebrated and observed by many of us, so it is important that we recognize and respect each and every one of them.
We have compiled a list below of the many important religious events that took place throughout April, May, and June. We encourage you to review this list to learn more about some of the significant celebrations and observances that are meaningful to your colleagues and friends. Let’s celebrate diversity, together.

April

• April 1: Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), the Christian holiday commemorating the Last Supper, at which Jesus and the Apostles were together for the last time before the Crucifixion. It is celebrated on the Thursday before Easter.
• April 2: Good Friday, a day celebrated by Christians to commemorate the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is recognized on the Friday before Easter.
• April 4: Easter, a holiday celebrated by Christians to recognize Jesus’ return from death after the Crucifixion.
• April 12 – May 11 (sundown to sundown): Ramadan, an Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer and devotion to Islam.
• April 14: Vaisakhi (also known as Baisakhi), the celebration of the founding of the Sikh community as the Khalsa (community of the initiated) and the birth of the Khalsa.

• April 20 – May 1: The Festival of Ridvan, a holiday celebrated by those of the Bahá’í faith, commemorating the 12 days when Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder, resided in a garden called Ridvan (paradise) and publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger for this age.
• April 21: Ram Navami, a Hindu day of worship and celebration of the seventh avatar of Vishnu (Lord Rama). Devotees typically wear red and place extravagant flowers on the shrine of the God.
• April 23: St. George’s Day, the feast day of St. George celebrated by various Christian churches.
• April 24: : Lazarus Saturday, a day celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy to commemorate the raising of Lazarus of Bethany.
• April 25: Mahavir Jayanti, a holiday celebrated by the Jains commemorating the birth of Lord Mahavira. It is one of the most important religious festivals for Jains.
• April 28: Ninth Day of Ridvan, a festival of joy and unity in the Bahá’í faith to commemorate the reunification of Bahá’u’lláh’s family, and by extension the unity of the entire human family the Bahá’í faith calls for. It permeates the symbolic meaning of the Ninth Day of Ridvan.
• April 29 – 30 (sundown to sundown): Mahavir Jayanti, a holiday celebrated by the Jains commemorating the birth of Lord Mahavira. It is one of the most important religious festivals for Jains.
• April 25: Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday marking the day of hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

May

• May 1: Orthodox Easter (also called Pascha), a later Easter date than observed by many Western churches.
• May 3: Saints Philip and James, a Roman Rite feast day for the anniversary of the dedication of the church to Saints Phillip and James in Rome.
• May 9: Laylat al-Qadr, the holiest night of the year for Muslims, is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It is known as the Night of Power and commemorates the night that the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
• May 12-13 (sundown to sundown): Eid al-Fitr, the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutuba (sermon), and give Zakat al-Fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr. May 13: Ascension of Jesus or Ascension Day, is celebrated as the ascension of Christ from Earth in the presence of God within most of the Christian faith.
• May 16 – 18 (sundown to sundown): Shavuot, a Jewish holiday that has double significance. It marks the all-important wheat harvest in Israel and commemorates the anniversary of the day when God gave the Torah to the nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai.
• May 22 – 23 (sundown to sundown): Declaration of the Báb, the day of declaration of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.
• May 26: Buddha Day (Vesak or Visakha Puja), a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. It falls on the day of the full moon in May and it is a gazetted holiday in India.
• May 29: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, commemorates the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.
• May 30: Trinity Sunday, observed in the Western Christian faith as a feast in honor of the Holy Trinity.
• May 30: All Saints’ Day, celebrated by many Eastern Christian churches on the first Sunday after Pentecost, in recognition of all known and unknown saints.

“we value and recognize the diverse religious beliefs of our employees. ”

June

• June 3: Corpus Christi, a Catholic holiday celebrating the presence of the body and blood of Christ, in the Eucharist.
• June 11: Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart is a solemnity in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.
• June 15: St. Vladimir Day, a Roman Catholic feast celebrating St. Vladimir.
• June 16: Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, observed by members of the Sikh faith. Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh guru and the first Sikh martyr.
• June 19: New Church Day, according to Christian belief, on this day the Lord called together the 12 disciples who had followed him on earth, instructed them in the Heavenly Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, and sent them out to teach that “the Lord God Jesus Christ reigns, whose kingdom shall be for ages and ages.” This was the beginning of the New Christian Church.
• June 21: Litha, the summer solstice celebrated by the Wiccans and Pagans. It is the longest day of the year, representing the sun’s “annual retreat.”
• June 29: Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, a liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome for the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Do you feel we have missed anything? Let us know! Contact our Diversity and Inclusion committee at inclusive@security-asp.com.

Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the amazing country we share today. It is celebrated throughout the month of May every year.

The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2021, “Recognition, Resilience, and Resolve”, embodied the myriad of sentiments that peoples of Asian descent in Canada have experienced and honours their contributions and their diverse stories which are rooted in resilience and perseverance. It is also a call to action for all Canadians to come together to combat all forms of anti-Asian racism and discrimination.

At ASP, we held a round table discussion on the topic that was chaired by Ms. Joanna Zhang who works as an Executive Assistant at the GTAA and Ms. Fanny Tran who works at the Billy Bishop airport with ASP. The round table was attended by our employees who came together to share their stories, experiences and their views on being an Asian in Canada and recent uptick in Asian Hate Crime. The conversation was open, informative and needless to say, emotional. There was a huge focus and consensus on the need to educate and groom our next generation in a way that they don’t see the world in a compartmentalized way and stereotype people based on how they look.

How we can fight anti-Asian racism Racism, in any form, is unacceptable and has no place in Canada. It runs counter to the values and spirit of the diverse and inclusive society that we strive to build. It is our collective responsibility to step up, be allies, and stand together against xenophobia, hate fueled by misinformation and all forms of racism including anti-Asian racism.

Here are some ways we can all contribute to tackling anti-Asian racism and building an even better and consciously more inclusive society where everyone is able to participate fully:

• Learn about pan-Asian diversity and the unique identities and cultures that have enriched Canadian society
• Challenge stereotypes and consider how they are rooted in the history of anti-Asian racism
• Show solidarity with Asian communities in Canada, i.e. by supporting local Asian businesses and organizations
• Be an ally – call out acts of racism, discrimination, and micro aggression and actively support those victimized by anti-Asian racism
• Interrupt unconscious biases and consider how they can affect your behaviour and decision-making

As a Canadian of South East Asian descent, I am proud of my culture and beliefs. A hallmark of Asian culture is an emphasis on respect—for elders and superiors, in particular. I consider it a beautiful aspect of Asian culture, but it’s often misconstrued and warped. It’s used as a trope, painting Asians as defenseless and weak. In spite of it, I refuse to let go of my profound sense of identity. Canada is the world’s melting pot that welcomes everyone with open arms. There will always be cultural differences but there are more commonalities than differences. It is truly in seeing the people of all cultures, through their stories and lived experiences, that we are able to expand our understanding of each other and our world views.

It took me a long time to get here, to develop an appreciation for my Asian roots, to be able to call out prejudice when and where I see it. It holds true for many of us who came to this beautiful place to raise our family. We must take the time to celebrate each other, learn about one another and take pride in the part we have all played in Canadian history regardless of our racial, ethnic or religious identity because we are all Canada!

ASP Asian Heritage Month Round Table chaired by

Ms. Joanna Zhang
Executive Assistant, GTAA

Ms. Fanny Tran
OSR – Billy Bishop Airport

June is nationally recognized as Pride Month in Canada, and in many other places around the world. Pride Month is a great time to shine a spotlight on LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) issues, but we must also recognize the fact that the issues the LGBTQ+ community faces don’t go away after Pride Month is over.

Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place in June 1969 in New York City following a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. This series of events was a turning point for the LGBTQ+ community and marks one of the most significant events leading to the modern gay rights movement. As well as being a month-long celebration, Pride month is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2005 Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide with the Civil Marriage Act. In 2016 Justin Trudeau became the first sitting Prime Minister to march in the Toronto Pride Parade, and that same year June was officially declared Pride Month in Canada. Although Canada has come a long way, we still have a lot of work to do to ensure everyone is treated equally at work and in life. Pride Month gives our ASP family a reason to continue our focus on workplace diversity and improve our workplace for everyone, not just during Pride month, but all year round.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation and replacement of mass Pride celebrations with innovative virtual events that provide alternative ways for all to feel connected and be safe. Pride Month is a time when people come together to celebrate, honor, and show support for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Even though there will be no parades and concerts this year due to COVID-19, June is still a time to celebrate the lengths we’ve come as a country and to recognize the work that remains to be done for the LGBTQ+ community. In a year that has been marked by so much change, uncertainty, and devastation, it has never been more important to celebrate everything that Pride stands for: self-affirmation, dignity, and equality.

Here are some actions you can take to help create equality for LGBTQ in both the workplace and in your personal life:

ASP recognizes Pride Month for what it symbolizes in terms of freedom and equality. Pride can, and should, be celebrated by all, even if you identify as straight or aren’t sure how you identify at all! We encourage and urge all of our employees to recognize and celebrate the value of diversity and to use the occasion of Pride Month as yet another an opportunity to build greater solidarity in support of human rights for all.

It is important to celebrate Pride in the workplace and acknowledge and recognize the accomplishments of the gay rights movement and to celebrate our diverse voices. It is always the right time to focus on diversity and inclusion and make our workplace a more welcoming environment. For our LGBTQ+ employees, inclusion can mean the difference between feeling understood and feeling excluded.

Here are some actions you can take to help create equality for LGBTQ in both the workplace and in your personal life:

• Avoid stereotypes and tokenism – don’t make assumptions or generalizations that may offend or alienate others.
• Focus on support and inclusivity – Pride is about togetherness, tolerance, and acceptance.
• Be sensitive and respectful to all gender orientations and identities.
• Lead by example – demonstrate openness with your own sensitivities regarding inclusion and support for all people at work.
• Speak out if a coworker uses offensive verbal comments, tells a disparaging joke about an LGBTQ person. It’s important to let the person know that such actions are inappropriate in a professional setting.
• Stay informed – educate yourself about the LGBTQ community and work to uncover your own unconscious bias.

At ASP, we are committed to a culture of belonging where diverse individuals can form a genuine community. Pride Month is an opportunity for ASP and our people to demonstrate that purpose and inclusion. We have an opportunity to transform the places we work in. Through dialogue, education and thought leadership we can build a workplace that celebrates all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identify, and sexual orientation and create safe and inclusive workplace. Together we can role model kindness and inclusion in the workplace and in our everyday life. Will you make that commitment today?

Happy Pride Month!