The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the Canadian Security Association (CANASA) have formed a coalition to urge the U.S. Congress to promptly approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the renegotiation of NAFTA.

SIA, ALAS and CANASA – the leading representation of the security industry in North America – collectively represent more than 2,500 companies with business operations located in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

In a Sept. 9 letter to Congress, the trilateral coalition highlighted the growth and change in the security industry and the renegotiated policy’s updates to reflect the current state of the market. Legislatures from Mexico and Canada have already voted in overwhelming support to ratify USMCA.

“The security industry in North America is undergoing substantial growth, a robust workforce and a strong international business climate and is poised to meet the high demand for security in our countries,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “USMCA reflects the 21st-century economy and updates several outdated trade policies that will benefit the industry and level the playing field globally.”

According to SIA’s July 2019 Security Market Index – a bimonthly review of current market conditions provided to the association’s members – nearly 50 percent of security professionals rated current business conditions as “excellent,” and 69 percent of respondents stated they are increasing their number of employees or hours worked.

“The Canadian government has supported officially the USMCA as a positive trade agreement between our three countries for some time,” said Patrick Straw, executive director of CANASA. “We are very hopeful that this is ratified in the near future.”

SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations.

ALAS is the main association of leading companies in the security industry representing Latin America and the Caribbean. ALAS promotes growth and professionalization of the security industry through education, research, networking, standards development and support to the interests of its partners.

CANASA protects and promotes the interests of its members and the safety of all Canadians through education, advocacy and leadership.