Agenda
A packed full-day event to share the latest retail loss prevention best practices and most effective strategies.
March 19, 2025
Welcoming Remarks
Main Session Hall
Join RCC President Diane J. Brisebois and Rui Rodrigues, Executive Advisor for Loss Prevention & Risk Management, as they kick off RCC’s Retail Secure Conference and Retail Secure Legends Awards. Get ready for an inspiring day of learning, recognition, expanding your connections, and collaborating on new ideas for safer retail in Canada.
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Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO
Retail Council of Canada
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Welcoming Remarks
March 19, 2025
8:20 AM - 8:30 AM EST
Main Session Hall
Join RCC President Diane J. Brisebois and Rui Rodrigues, Executive Advisor for Loss Prevention & Risk Management, as they kick off RCC’s Retail Secure Conference and Retail Secure Legends Awards. Get ready for an inspiring day of learning, recognition, expanding your connections, and collaborating on new ideas for safer retail in Canada.
Speaking:
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Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO
Retail Council of Canada
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Retail Secure Legends Awards Presentations
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Main Session Hall
Celebrate Canada’s retail loss prevention standouts at the Retail Secure Legends Awards. Join the industry in honouring these dedicated and inspiring professionals, whose skill and innovation keep retail safe.
We will be awarding the Leadership Legend Award, Emerging Legend Award and the In-Store Legend Award.
Retail Secure Legends Awards Presentations
March 19, 2025
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM EST
Main Session Hall
Celebrate Canada’s retail loss prevention standouts at the Retail Secure Legends Awards. Join the industry in honouring these dedicated and inspiring professionals, whose skill and innovation keep retail safe.
We will be awarding the Leadership Legend Award, Emerging Legend Award and the In-Store Legend Award.
Speaking:
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
The Surge of Violent and Brazen Retail Crime in Canadian Cities
Main Session Hall
Brazen and violent retail crime is surging across Canadian cities, reflecting a growing global challenge that demands innovative solutions. Join Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews, of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) as he shares an insider’s perspective on how Canada’s largest police force is confronting this crisis head-on. Discover the latest developments, including the rise of specialized Retail Crime Units across Canada, collaborative efforts with international law enforcement and the staggering economic and social costs on communities and businesses alike. This session offers a rare glimpse into the evolving strategies of the TPS and provides valuable insights into the critical collaboration needed with retailers to share intelligence, implement preventive measures, and dismantle these violent criminal networks.
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Joe Matthews
Staff Superintendent
Toronto Police Service, Detective Operations
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Calandra Guiry
Associate VP, LP Retail
Canadian Tire
The Surge of Violent and Brazen Retail Crime in Canadian Cities
March 19, 2025
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM EST
Main Session Hall
Brazen and violent retail crime is surging across Canadian cities, reflecting a growing global challenge that demands innovative solutions. Join Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews, of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) as he shares an insider’s perspective on how Canada’s largest police force is confronting this crisis head-on. Discover the latest developments, including the rise of specialized Retail Crime Units across Canada, collaborative efforts with international law enforcement and the staggering economic and social costs on communities and businesses alike. This session offers a rare glimpse into the evolving strategies of the TPS and provides valuable insights into the critical collaboration needed with retailers to share intelligence, implement preventive measures, and dismantle these violent criminal networks.
Speaking:
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Joe Matthews
Staff Superintendent
Toronto Police Service, Detective Operations
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Calandra Guiry
Associate VP, LP Retail
Canadian Tire
Achieving Success with Body-Worn Cameras in Canadian Retail
Main Session Hall
Body-worn cameras are reshaping how retailers approach safety and security with many uses across retail organizations, from distribution centres to stores. We’ll be joined by David Pardoe, Head of Profit Protection at value retailer The Works in the UK, alongside Ian Cocklin of Reveal Media, a supplier with over 16 years of body-worn video experience, to dig into how retailers need to plan for leveraging this transformative technology. David will share his first-hand experience of body camera deployment, sharing his goals and practical tips, while Ian will speak about navigating privacy concerns and what you need to consider in planning for a successful deployment. Ian will also share further case studies from customers who had varied goals for implementation and their successes.
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Dave Pardoe
Head of Profit Protection
The Works
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Ian Cocklin
Customer Success Manager
Reveal Media
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Achieving Success with Body-Worn Cameras in Canadian Retail
March 19, 2025
9:55 AM - 10:25 AM EST
Main Session Hall
Body-worn cameras are reshaping how retailers approach safety and security with many uses across retail organizations, from distribution centres to stores. We’ll be joined by David Pardoe, Head of Profit Protection at value retailer The Works in the UK, alongside Ian Cocklin of Reveal Media, a supplier with over 16 years of body-worn video experience, to dig into how retailers need to plan for leveraging this transformative technology. David will share his first-hand experience of body camera deployment, sharing his goals and practical tips, while Ian will speak about navigating privacy concerns and what you need to consider in planning for a successful deployment. Ian will also share further case studies from customers who had varied goals for implementation and their successes.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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Dave Pardoe
Head of Profit Protection
The Works
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Ian Cocklin
Customer Success Manager
Reveal Media
From Attack to Action: Navigating Cybersecurity in Retail Operations
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Neil Hopkins
Director Cyber Security
LCBO
Main Session Hall
As technology becomes increasingly central to retail operations, the risks posed by cyber threats grow exponentially. Neil Hopkins, Director Cyber Security Operations at the LCBO, shares insights and experiences from the frontlines of combating cybercrime, offering valuable lessons about the evolving threat landscape. Learn effective strategies for threat detection, how to measure the impact of incidents, and actionable ways to navigate risks. Join the conversation to discover how to protect your organization in an increasingly digital retail environment.
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From Attack to Action: Navigating Cybersecurity in Retail Operations
March 19, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Main Session Hall
As technology becomes increasingly central to retail operations, the risks posed by cyber threats grow exponentially. Neil Hopkins, Director Cyber Security Operations at the LCBO, shares insights and experiences from the frontlines of combating cybercrime, offering valuable lessons about the evolving threat landscape. Learn effective strategies for threat detection, how to measure the impact of incidents, and actionable ways to navigate risks. Join the conversation to discover how to protect your organization in an increasingly digital retail environment.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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Neil Hopkins
Director Cyber Security
LCBO
From Intelligence to Prevention: How Top LP Leaders Use Insights to Stop Crime
Main Session Hall
Reporting retail events isn’t enough to defeat sophisticated criminal networks in 2025. Learn how leading Canadian retailers Rexall and Best Buy elevated their LP programs at scale by adopting proactive strategies to surface, investigate, and prevent the repeat offenders and ORC groups causing the most harm. Auror’s senior retail partnership manager Jon Briegel hosts this panel of retail leaders to discuss the tech and tactics their teams use daily to keep their stores and people safe.
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Daryl Blackmore
Director of Loss Prevention
Rexall Pharmacy Group
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Dave Cheema
CFE, LPC, Director of Asset Protection
Best Buy Canada
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Jon Briegel
Senior Retail Partnerships Manager, North America
Auror
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From Intelligence to Prevention: How Top LP Leaders Use Insights to Stop Crime
March 19, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM EST
Main Session Hall
Reporting retail events isn’t enough to defeat sophisticated criminal networks in 2025. Learn how leading Canadian retailers Rexall and Best Buy elevated their LP programs at scale by adopting proactive strategies to surface, investigate, and prevent the repeat offenders and ORC groups causing the most harm. Auror’s senior retail partnership manager Jon Briegel hosts this panel of retail leaders to discuss the tech and tactics their teams use daily to keep their stores and people safe.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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Daryl Blackmore
Director of Loss Prevention
Rexall Pharmacy Group
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Dave Cheema
CFE, LPC, Director of Asset Protection
Best Buy Canada
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Jon Briegel
Senior Retail Partnerships Manager, North America
Auror
Identifying and Combating Emerging Fraud Threats
Lyra
In this session, John Armit, Acting Detective Sergeant of the Anti-Rackets Branch with the Ontario Provincial Police, will discuss the top cyber-enabled frauds affecting Canadian citizens and businesses today. He will share insights from law enforcement on emerging fraud trends and the challenges of combatting cybercrime. John will then be joined by a panel of retail leaders, including Jordan Shamir, who will discuss the challenges and solutions they face in tackling fraud.
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John Armit
Detective Constable, Economic Crimes and Corruption Unit, Anti-Rackets Branch, Financial Crimes Service
Ontario Provincial Police
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Anton Nebor
Manager, Financial Security
Aritzia
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Jordan Shamir
CEO & Co-Founder
Yofi
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Raj Parmar
Group Head of Loss Prevention
JD Sports Canada
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Identifying and Combating Emerging Fraud Threats
March 19, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM EST
Lyra
In this session, John Armit, Acting Detective Sergeant of the Anti-Rackets Branch with the Ontario Provincial Police, will discuss the top cyber-enabled frauds affecting Canadian citizens and businesses today. He will share insights from law enforcement on emerging fraud trends and the challenges of combatting cybercrime. John will then be joined by a panel of retail leaders, including Jordan Shamir, who will discuss the challenges and solutions they face in tackling fraud.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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John Armit
Detective Constable, Economic Crimes and Corruption Unit, Anti-Rackets Branch, Financial Crimes Service
Ontario Provincial Police
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Anton Nebor
Manager, Financial Security
Aritzia
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Jordan Shamir
CEO & Co-Founder
Yofi
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Raj Parmar
Group Head of Loss Prevention
JD Sports Canada
Safety Networks Transform the Fight Against Crime
Main Session Hall
Retailers today face increasing challenges from theft, fraud, and other criminal activities, which not only impact profits but also create safety concerns for customers and staff. Addressing these issues requires more than individual effort—it demands a unified, collaborative approach. In this dynamic panel discussion, experts from Genetec, Yorkdale Security, Oxford Properties, and the Toronto Police Service will share their insights on how partnerships can transform the fight against retail crime. Gain valuable knowledge on how to build stronger communication channels with security teams, leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance prevention efforts, and coordinate effectively during active incidents to ensure safety. Leave this session with practical strategies and actionable ideas to create safer shopping environments and stronger, more resilient collaborations.
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Nada Ebeid
Regional Director of Signature Brands in Canada
Genetec
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Olivia Cieri
Account Executive for Signature Brands
Genetec
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Laura Cobham
Physical Security Manager
Oxford Properties Group
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Speaker Announcement Coming Soon
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Safety Networks Transform the Fight Against Crime
March 19, 2025
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM EST
Main Session Hall
Retailers today face increasing challenges from theft, fraud, and other criminal activities, which not only impact profits but also create safety concerns for customers and staff. Addressing these issues requires more than individual effort—it demands a unified, collaborative approach. In this dynamic panel discussion, experts from Genetec, Yorkdale Security, Oxford Properties, and the Toronto Police Service will share their insights on how partnerships can transform the fight against retail crime. Gain valuable knowledge on how to build stronger communication channels with security teams, leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance prevention efforts, and coordinate effectively during active incidents to ensure safety. Leave this session with practical strategies and actionable ideas to create safer shopping environments and stronger, more resilient collaborations.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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Nada Ebeid
Regional Director of Signature Brands in Canada
Genetec
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Olivia Cieri
Account Executive for Signature Brands
Genetec
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Laura Cobham
Physical Security Manager
Oxford Properties Group
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Speaker Announcement Coming Soon
Beyond Backup for Comprehensive Protection Against Modern Threats
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Chris McDonald
Senior Systems Engineer
Veeam
Lyra
Retailers face ever-evolving threats like ransomware attacks, operational disruptions, and data integrity challenges that can jeopardize their businesses. This session provides actionable insights and solutions to these critical issues. Learn how Veeam extends beyond traditional backup to deliver advanced protection through anomaly detection, disaster recovery automation, and robust cloud-native solutions. Discover how seamless third-party integrations and innovative tools ensure data security, operational continuity, and resilience in the face of modern threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore strategies to safeguard your retail operations and minimize downtime.
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Beyond Backup for Comprehensive Protection Against Modern Threats
March 19, 2025
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM EST
Lyra
Retailers face ever-evolving threats like ransomware attacks, operational disruptions, and data integrity challenges that can jeopardize their businesses. This session provides actionable insights and solutions to these critical issues. Learn how Veeam extends beyond traditional backup to deliver advanced protection through anomaly detection, disaster recovery automation, and robust cloud-native solutions. Discover how seamless third-party integrations and innovative tools ensure data security, operational continuity, and resilience in the face of modern threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore strategies to safeguard your retail operations and minimize downtime.
Sponsored by:
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Speaking:
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Chris McDonald
Senior Systems Engineer
Veeam
RCC Member Update
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Main Session Hall
Rui Rodrigues will provide updates on key initiatives, industry developments, and activities impacting the retail sector, along with an overview of RCC’s work in the loss prevention sector.
RCC Member Update
March 19, 2025
2:45 PM - 2:50 PM EST
Main Session Hall
Rui Rodrigues will provide updates on key initiatives, industry developments, and activities impacting the retail sector, along with an overview of RCC’s work in the loss prevention sector.
Speaking:
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Organized Retail Crime Without Borders
Main Session Hall
Discover how international crime groups are infiltrating Canada’s retail landscape and evolving their methods to profit locally and globally. This session uncovers the 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. Learn how CBSA collaborates with retailers and police to investigate, detain, and deport offenders, leveraging unique rules of engagement to disrupt these sophisticated operations. Walk away with actionable strategies and partnership insights to protect your business and help dismantle ORC networks.
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Amik Cardinal
National Security & Organized Crime Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
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Denise Delvaux
Inland Enforcement Officer
Canada Border Services Agency
Organized Retail Crime Without Borders
March 19, 2025
2:50 PM - 3:30 PM EST
Main Session Hall
Discover how international crime groups are infiltrating Canada’s retail landscape and evolving their methods to profit locally and globally. This session uncovers the 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. Learn how CBSA collaborates with retailers and police to investigate, detain, and deport offenders, leveraging unique rules of engagement to disrupt these sophisticated operations. Walk away with actionable strategies and partnership insights to protect your business and help dismantle ORC networks.
Speaking:
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Amik Cardinal
National Security & Organized Crime Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
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Denise Delvaux
Inland Enforcement Officer
Canada Border Services Agency
How Collaboration in Winnipeg is Bringing Justice to Retail Criminals
Main Session Hall
In this exclusive interview, Inspector Jennifer McKinnon of Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) shares how they are tackling retail crime through strategic collaboration and targeted enforcement. Learn how WPS engages with the retail community, internal police units, and partners like Crown prosecutors and Crime Stoppers to deliver impactful solutions, including retail blitzes and anti-fencing operations. Discover how advocacy, through partners like the Retail Council of Canada, is driving essential government support to sustain these initiatives.
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Jennifer McKinnon
Inspector
Winnipeg Police Service Major Crimes Division
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
How Collaboration in Winnipeg is Bringing Justice to Retail Criminals
March 19, 2025
3:35 PM - 4:05 PM EST
Main Session Hall
In this exclusive interview, Inspector Jennifer McKinnon of Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) shares how they are tackling retail crime through strategic collaboration and targeted enforcement. Learn how WPS engages with the retail community, internal police units, and partners like Crown prosecutors and Crime Stoppers to deliver impactful solutions, including retail blitzes and anti-fencing operations. Discover how advocacy, through partners like the Retail Council of Canada, is driving essential government support to sustain these initiatives.
Speaking:
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Jennifer McKinnon
Inspector
Winnipeg Police Service Major Crimes Division
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Rui Rodrigues
RCC Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management
Retail Council of Canada
Behind the Curtain: Secrets of a Former Spy
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Andrew Kirsch
Former Canadian Spy & Intelligence Officer
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Main Session Hall
Step into the shadowy world of espionage with Andrew Kirsch, a former CSIS operative, as he pulls back the curtain on life in the secret service and shares insights that resonate far beyond the intelligence world. With wit, honesty, and a dash of humor, Andrew offers lessons in situational awareness, risk management, and problem-solving under pressure. Gain unique perspectives on safeguarding assets, understanding threats, and creating strategies to protect people, property, and assets.
Behind the Curtain: Secrets of a Former Spy
March 19, 2025
4:05 PM - 4:40 PM EST
Main Session Hall
Step into the shadowy world of espionage with Andrew Kirsch, a former CSIS operative, as he pulls back the curtain on life in the secret service and shares insights that resonate far beyond the intelligence world. With wit, honesty, and a dash of humor, Andrew offers lessons in situational awareness, risk management, and problem-solving under pressure. Gain unique perspectives on safeguarding assets, understanding threats, and creating strategies to protect people, property, and assets.
Speaking:
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Andrew Kirsch
Former Canadian Spy & Intelligence Officer
Canadian Security Intelligence Service