Spring 2024 | Message From The President
Staying Secure and Embracing Growth #GCProtect
Newsletter V10
As we move into spring with its promise of growth and renewal, I want to take this opportunity to share some important insights and updates with you.
While we’re enjoying the longer days and the promise of warmer weather, there’s more than flowers popping up. In Ontario, we’ve noticed a significant increase in vehicle thefts. Over 40,510 vehicles from 2021 through early 2024 have been reported stolen – approximately 50 a day. More than just a shocking statistic, that’s a trend that touches lives and, without a doubt, raises concerns about vehicle safety and security. As Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray from the Toronto Police Service notes, tackling this surge in auto theft, fueling organized crime, is a community effort. Learn if your vehicle is on the top 10 most stolen vehicle list and how you can protect yourself against vehicle theft.
Cybercrime is becoming major issue in Canada, threatening people personally and professionally. The perspective has shifted from “it will never happen to me” to recognizing this as a genuine and common concern. Surprisingly, to help keep your data safe, it may be as simple as changing your passwords often. Approximately 30% of people in North America use the same password for everything, and having a unique password for each site goes a long way in protecting against cyber threats. To help you stay ahead of cybersecurity issues, we’ve put together some practical tips to safeguard you against a breach.
On a more exciting note, we are thrilled to share news of the expansion of our Benefits and Planning Division. We welcomed Samantha Belanger and Joel Lapierre as associate advisors, joining Vice President Rick Chase’s talented team. This growth allows us to offer a broader range of corporate and personal solutions, including group benefits, health insurance, financial planning, and life insurance, maintaining our tradition of comprehensive service offerings.
Another highlight was our participation in Ottawa’s Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament on March 28th, supporting the Shepherds of Good Hope. It was a memorable day for our team as we had the opportunity to play alongside retired Ottawa Senator, Chris Neil. Our team’s enthusiasm, coupled with generous contributions from supporters, resulted in a remarkable total of $14,744 raised. We’re immensely thankful to everyone who played, volunteered, and donated, helping us make a significant difference in the lives of homeless individuals in Ottawa.
Looking ahead, we have a lot to look forward to, and we’re grateful to have you as part of the GC community. Your continued trust means everything to us, and we encourage you to connect with us, whether to ask questions, express concerns, or share in your successes.
Matt
