Spring greetings to all commissionaires, 

As we transition out of winter (thankfully), I would like to take this opportunity to highlight situational awareness. Our world is increasingly becoming more violent, and being able to recognize threats has never been a more important skill. As such, we are exploring opportunities to include situational awareness training in our security officer courses.

As a former First Responder with 23 years in policing, I can relate to being the cold face of safety and security. It is often boring and uncomfortable work during twilight hours when our friends and family are safely tucked in bed. It is long miles on the road and sometimes hours of dealing with people who may not be in the best of moods. Remember this, continue to maintain your vigilance in the execution of duties and take that extra second to assess every situation with a detailed eye.

As the largest security force in Nova Scotia, keenly vigilant at all major gateways, we are never truly out of harm’s way. Your expert professionalism, training, and unique experience is the reason clients continue to put their trust in our services. However, it cannot be understated, your safety is paramount to the security of the site. 

Please know that all of us at Head Office exist to support front-line operations. We are standing solidly behind you as you perform your roles as security professionals.

Take care and work safely,

Barry (he/him)

RRSP/TFSA-Matching Program Info Session Happening This Month

Curious about Commissionaires Nova Scotia's new RRSP/TFSA-Matching Program? Well, mark your calendar!

All commissionaires are invited to attend an online RRSP/TFSA program education session on 18 April 2023 at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be approx. one hour long.

A link to the meeting will follow via BambooHR.

Our representatives from Desjardins Financial Services will discuss the following points:

•         Online enrolment process

•         Plans offered

•         Plan rules

•         Retirement illustration

Can’t make it? A recording of the presentation will be available for all commissionaires on 19 April 2023 via our CNS SharePoint. 

For commissionaires who don’t have access to the CNS SharePoint site from your personal computer/phone, please make arrangements with your local CNS office to view the presentation.  

Lace Up To Work The Blue Nose Marathon

Commissionaires, take your mark… the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is back on 20 May and 21 May, and we need commissionaires to serve as race marshals along the course.

Commissionaires are required to dress in uniform and direct runners on the race route. Don’t forget your water, ball cap, safety vest, sunglasses, cell phone, and… dress appropriately for the weather!

New commissionaires and those who have participated in the past are encouraged to pick up a shift.

SHIFTS



• Saturday, 20 May from 7:30 a.m. – 12 noon – 16 commissionaires needed
• Sunday, 21 May from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 60 commissionaires needed

Keep an eye on ONWATCH or call Dispatch at 902 468 0776 to reserve a shift for this fun community event.

A Race Coordinator will follow up with information regarding your route position and zone. 

BIG NEWS! Commissionaires is Selected to Support Touchdown Atlantic

Thanks to the professionalism and experience of our commissionaires, we’ve been tapped to provide security services at Touchdown Atlantic, the east coast’s biggest celebration of football.

The event takes place on Saturday, 29 July 2023 at 5 p.m., when the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Toronto Argonauts.

We need commissionaires to work the event at Huskies Stadium at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.

Preference will be given to commissionaires with experience working similar events, including The Blue Nose Marathon and the Halifax Wanderers soccer matches.

Shifts will be listed on ONWATCH as they become available. 

WANTED: Ideas for Our Entryway Wall

It’s time to update the entryway wall at CNS Head Office. We’re seeking ideas/concepts that visually capture the spirit of Commissionaires Nova Scotia.

If you’ve got a suggestion as to what should be displayed on our wall, please send an email to Rebecca Brown, CNS Marketing & Communications Specialist, at rebecca.brown@commissionaires.ns.ca.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

DND Family Days is Back!

The Canadian Armed Forces are hosting their annual DND Family Days event at CFB Halifax on 23-24 June. This is the largest military event held in Canada and CNS employees are invited to attend! Bring your whole family and take in two days of rides, activities, shows, and open ship tours. Your ID is required to get into the event. 

Learn more by clicking HERE.

Commissionaires Save 20% at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

We’ve partnered with the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo to offer commissionaires a discount to one of the best shows in Canada!

Under the partnership, any Commissionaires employee (and their attending family members/friends!) can save 20% on tickets to the Royal NS Tattoo by entering promo code Commissionaires20 at checkout. Kids 18 and under get in COMPLETELY FREE!

The Royal NS Tattoo is one of Canada’s premier summer spectacles, featuring acts by performers and military personnel from around the world.

Book your seats today at https://nstattoo.ca/tickets/.

Wanna Volunteer at the Tattoo? They need you!

The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is now accepting volunteers for the 2023 Tattoo!

The Tattoo relies heavily on the support of its volunteer base—some of whom have been involved from the very beginning, and some of whom travel from as far away as the Bahamas and England just to be part of the show!

The Tattoo is always looking for skilled and friendly volunteers to help in all areas, from props and costumes to backstage marshalling and assistant arena masters, marketing and admin support to transportation and tour guides.

Click HERE to fill out an application.  

Free Money!! RRSP/TFSA Matching is Here!

At least 133 of your fellow commissionaires are already enrolled in our new benefit program, whereby CNS will match your contribution, up to 3% of your pay, to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). That means those commissionaires are getting FREE MONEY!

It’s not too late to join the program.

Here is the link to enrol: Log on – Group Retirement Savings (desjardins.com)

• Click “Register” and begin filling out the form
• When it asks for your Group number, enter G007630
• When it asks for your Employee Number, enter your Corps number

Looking for program information? All the info on the program, including a recording of our recent info session and reference documents, is easily accessible on the CNS Employee SharePoint HERE. 

To login to the CNS Employee SharePoint, you’ll need to enter the following email and password:

Email: fielduser@commissionaires.ns.ca Current password: Col_Oland_1937

As a reminder, here are the details of the RRSP/TFSA Matching Program:

• offered by Desjardins Financial Security (DFS), thru Select Path  
• start date: 1 February 2023
• wage matching from 0.5% to 3%
• RRSP matching – open to those 70 years old and younger
• TFSA matching – open to those 71 years old and above
• commissionaires become eligible after completing probation

Sample contribution table:

If a Commissionaire chooses 3% matching, after a year they would have received an extra $1,131 from CNS. 

Enroll today!! You’re missing out on free money each day you are not enrolled!

A note from Desjardins Financial Security:

Desjardins Financial Services has updated its Points of Contact.   

Commissionaires with questions on the RRSP/TFSA Matching Program are requested to contact our Desjardins Financial Services call centre at 1 800 968 3587, or email grouppension@dfs.ca, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time, on weekdays.

Thank you!

Need Eyewear? GSC Has You Covered!

GSC Plan Members can get discounts at KITS, an online provider of eyewear.

Get 25 per cent off all prescription glasses and 20 per cent off contact lenses – both offers include free shipping. These offers are available to plan members for a limited time, and they have kicked off 2023 with new discounts, including free KITS glasses (lenses included) with ANY glasses purchase, and $100 off plus free shipping on designer glasses brands. Click HERE to start shopping! 

LifeWorks is Becoming Telus Health

Following its acquisition, LifeWorks will fold into the TELUS Health brand over the upcoming months.

There have not yet been any changes to the employee/end-user experience, and users can currently still find the LifeWorks brand on the website, app, and through the 1-800 toll-free number.

TELUS remains committed to sharing information on branding updates in a frequent and timely manner, which we will then pass on to our employees.