Toronto was the place to be last week for our partners north of the border as top retail loss prevention experts, industry solution providers, and law enforcement professionals from across Canada gathered for the Retail Council of Canada’s 2025 RCC Retail Secure Conference. The International Centre in Toronto became the home of Canada’s loss prevention community for an event that offered valuable learning sessions, actionable strategies, and networking opportunities to take us forward through the prospects and challenges of 2025 and beyond.
The event kicked off with a welcoming message from Diane Brisebois, president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, followed by RCC Executive Advisor Rui Rodrigues sharing his opening remarks regarding the opportunities of the day and collaborating on new ideas and proven strategies for a safer and more secure retail environment across Canada.
Meet the 2025 RCC Legends Recipients
Celebrating the achievements of the Canadian loss prevention community was first on the agenda with the introduction of the recipients of the Emerging Legends, In-Store Legends, and Leadership Legends Awards.
This annual program seeks to spotlight those who have exhibited exemplary leadership, implemented effective loss prevention strategies, and made a significant impact on the security and integrity of retail operations. By acknowledging these Retail Secure Legends, the awards program aims to inspire others in the industry, foster a culture of excellence, and highlight the crucial role played by these individuals in maintaining safety, security, and profitability in retail.
Emerging Legends were: Angela Collins (Canadian Tire), Lyn Babb (Gap Inc.), Brandon Law (Sobeys), Jade Cook (SEPHORA), Gary Evaniuk (Sobeys), Jennifer Morris (SEPHORA), Lin Cody (Sobeys), Amy Mohon (TJX Canada), and Emilia Vlaming (Rexall Pharmacy).
Simranjeet Kaur (Gap Inc) was announced as the In-Store Legend.
Leadership Legends were: Dave Cheema (Dir. AP Best Buy Canada), Oliver Wang (Nat, Dir, LP Glentel), Calandra Guiry (Ass. VP of LP Canadian Tire).
The Sessions
In the first general session of the conference, Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews of the Toronto Police discussed “The Surge in Violent and Brazen Retail Crime in Canadian Cities” with AVP of LP Calandra Guiry at Canadian Tire. Matthews shared how Canada’s largest police force is confronting the crisis head-on, including the rise of specialized retail crime units across Canada, collaborative efforts with international law enforcement, and the critical collaboration needed with retailers to share intelligence, implement preventive measures, and dismantle these violent criminal networks.
Next up was Dave Pardoe, head of profit protection at The Works (UK) and Ian Cocklin, customer service manager at Reveal Media discussing “Achieving Success with Body-Worn Cameras in Canadian Retail.” Body-worn cameras are reshaping how retailers approach safety and security with many uses across retail organizations. Pardoe and Cocklin emphasized the need for retailers to plan for leveraging this transformative technology, including body camera deployment, practical tips, and navigating privacy concerns when planning for a successful deployment.
As technology becomes increasingly central to retail operations, the risks posed by cyber threats grow exponentially. The next general session featured Neil Hopkins, director of cyber security operations at the LCBO sharing insights and experiences from the frontlines of combating cybercrime. Hopkins revealed some of his insights and experiences, along with effective strategies for threat detection, how to measure the impact of incidents, and actionable ways to navigate risks.
Sandwiched around the lunch hour were a series of concurrent sessions offering attendees an opportunity to choose between discussions, including how leading Canadian retailers are adopting proactive strategies to surface, investigate, and prevent the repeat offenders and ORC groups causing the most harm; identifying and combating emerging fraud threats; addressing safety concerns; and data integrity challenges that can jeopardize retail businesses.
We then returned to the main session hall for a conversation on how international crime groups are infiltrating Canada’s retail landscape and evolving their methods to profit locally and globally. Amik Cardinal with the National Security & Organized Crime Unit revealed tactics behind stolen goods trafficking, shifting trends in local resale, and the critical role of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in combating organized retail crime.
Inspector Jennifer McKinnon of the Winnipeg Police Service was up next, sharing with Rui Rodrigues and Gary Evaniuk how her department is tackling retail crime through strategic collaboration and targeted enforcement to deliver impactful solutions, including retail blitzes and anti-fencing operations. She further stressed how partnerships and advocacy are driving essential government support to sustain these initiatives.
In the final presentation of the conference, keynote speaker Andrew Kirsch, a former CSIS operative, gave us a look into the shadowy world of espionage, pulling back the curtain on life in the Canadian Secret Service. Andrew shared lessons in situational awareness, risk management, and problem solving under pressure, along with his unique perspectives on safeguarding assets, understanding threats, and creating strategies to protect people, property, and assets.
Making the Best of the New Year
Congratulations to the entire team at RCC for hosting an extremely valuable and productive conference. Attendees were excited by the new information they took with them, making new contacts, kindling existing relationships, and the prospects for a successful 2025!