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Hi Kelly,
The Ottawa Safety Council (OSC) is pleased to announce that it is expanding its School Crossing Guard Services to the City of Toronto starting this fall 2023!
For over 20 years, the OSC has been delivering its School Crossing Guard services in the City of Ottawa. The OSC is the longest-serving, outsourced School Crossing Guard service provider in the province, delivering Ontario’s second largest municipal crossing guard program. In addition, the OSC is the only Crossing Guard service provider in Ontario that is both a not-for-profit organization and registered charity, with a mandate to deliver best-in-class road safety services, education, and training programs, guiding communities towards safer roads, no matter the mode of travel. As such, the OSC is excited to work with the City of Toronto’s Transportation Services team in creating safer school zones through its School Crossing Guard Program.
The School Crossing Guard services are crucial for ensuring that children can safely cross high traffic intersections close to their respective schools. "Our priority is creating a dedicated team of community-minded School Crossing Guards to help ensure that children and families feel confident and secure on their journeys to and from school throughout the city” states Jamie Kwong, Executive Director of the OSC. “We look forward to connecting with the current / returning and prospective School Crossing Guards to serve the west-end of Toronto, as well as working with the City of Toronto staff and local stakeholders to make School Zones Safer for all.”
As a not-for-profit organization and registered charity with a well-established reputation as a leader in road and school zone safety, the OSC re-invests back into communities through its road safety educational programs for elementary students. The OSC seeks to create broader social impact by bringing FREE road safety information and programs to communities across Canada, and also working collaboratively with the local community support service partners to create greater employment opportunities to equity-deserving groups.
The OSC hires approximately 350 School Crossing Guards in Ottawa and is expected to hire 200-250 Crossing Guards, 4 Field Supervisors, and 3 Office Staff in Toronto.
To apply now for a School Crossing Guard position in either Toronto or Ottawa, visit: www.Crossing-Guard.ca.
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LAST CHANCE! Spots are open for the City of Ottawa experienced free four hour rider course!
Some of the tools and techniques covered include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Using emergency braking.
* Brake balancing to avoid collisions.
* Reaction time and collision avoidance.
* Surviving and preventing high risk situations
Pre-requisites
* M2 for at least a FULL season (preferably more than one) and a minimum of 5000 KM of riding experience (mixture of city and highway).
* Their own motorcycle that is licenced, insured, and in roadworthy condition.
• Proper riding gear (helmet, boots, gloves, riding jacket, and pants)
Click here for more
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The Ottawa Safety Council is pleased to announce the election of Lori Henderson, Dave Donaldson, Jonathan Thompson, and Nathalie Guthrie onto the Board of Directors. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise in business, finance, human resources, and law.
Jonathan Thompson is an experienced lawyer who has spent the majority of his career conducting criminal and regulatory prosecutions on behalf of the Crown. He has extensive courtroom experience related to road safety cases under the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code, as well as taking part in legal education for police officers and university students. Jonathan is an enthusiastic cyclist (and a reluctant runner), and he's excited about making Ottawa's roads safer for everyone.
Nathalie Guthrie is the Human Resources Director for the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), who has a strong passion for promoting safety and wellness in the workplace. As an executive of the CENGN organization, she has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, and governance, which are essential qualities for a board member. She also has a proven track record of creating and implementing effective policies and procedures that promote ethical practices and compliance. As a wife and mother of 2 children who bus, walk and/or bike to school, Nathalie is personally invested in road safety in her community.
Dave Donaldson is the retired Dean of the School of Business at Algonquin College with over 20 years as a senior college administrator in Vancouver and Ottawa, following a career with several organizations in senior marketing roles. Community activity includes the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, Association of Canadian Business Schools, Tourism Development Council of Ottawa Tourism, and a past director with that organization. He is currently the Board chair of Shepherds of Good Hope.
Lori Henderson is a Commercial Relationship Manager with Scotiabank, originally from Atlantic Canada, moved to Ontario in 2005 where she learned how to ride a motorcycle on the winding roads of Northern Ontario soon realizing the need for road safety. Living in Ottawa for the past 12 years and careers as a banker and entrepreneur for the past 19 years Lori brings her finance knowledge to OSC and hopes to help in the growth of the organization and sees the importance of advocating for safer roads. A mom to a daughter and 2 stepsons that are now adults, Lori watched her children walk to and from school, benefiting from the crossing guard program and keeping them safe.
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May 17 was Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in Ottawa!
Crossing Guards have a very important (and sometimes stressful) job. Students and parents depend on their Crossing Guards to help them cross the road safely all year long, in all kinds of weather and traffic. A big thank you to all of our crossing guards — both past and present — for your service to the community!
| Thank you St. Thomas Moore School for hosting the celebration of Crossing Guard of the Year with Houda Ichrakie who has served the community for 9 years! Seeing Mayor Mark Sutcliffe do a selfie with the grade 5 students was priceless! THANK YOU to ALL our 300+ Crossing Guards! | |
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Congratulations to our Employee of the Month for March, John Religa. John has been on our Adult Crossing Guard team since March 2022. He is an outstanding guard who serves the community of Orleans Village. John is helping make Orleans safer place for all.
“John has been a crossing guard for a couple of very high traffic corners. He does the job with the highest quality of safety and excellence. He is always following up with safety concerns and reports these using the appropriate channels,” said Orleans team lead Kim Kimbell.
“I can tell that families really appreciate John’s presence and his contribution is so key to making this corner safer. John has great ideas for making reporting easier and the job safer,” Kim added.
|  | The Ottawa Safety Council would like to congratulate Carl Schmidt, our Employee of the Month for April 2023. As the only Crossing Guard working at Prescott Road and Concession Road in Kemptville, Carl has been a dedicated Crossing Guard. His community knows that rain or shine, Carl will be there to ensure the students of Kemptville will arrive to and from school safely. At every shift, drivers wave, smile and greet Carl as they travel through his intersection! | |
We kicked off Wednesday, May 18, with a visit to Barrhaven as Councillor David Hill joined Trysten at Cambrian & River Mist, who’s been a guard with us since 2019! Thank you Coun. Hill for your support of safer roads & school zones! | |
Christine, Dominque, and Tatique were representing the OSC at Ride for Dad! We are currently recruiting for motorcycle instructors for this upcoming training season (January 2024)
-we are the only MTP run my volunteer instructors, with some serving with the OSC for 30+ years!
-free training: learn to teach while improving your own safety
-help motorcycle enthusiasts realize their dreams
-improve road safety for students and the general public
-join the OSC MTP team, 3rd largest program in Canada with an impeccable reputation and high demand from students
Email: [email protected] and Christine will tell you more about it!
| A big thank you to Sam Laprade from City News from hosting her show from OSC headquarters on July 6! Thanks to Councillors David Hill and Laine Johnson for joining us! | The OSC team hosted an end of year party for our amazing Crossing Guards! We are so proud of our dedicated team that are keeping people safe! Big or small, we cross them all! Looking forward to seeing our dedicated crossing guards again in a few short months! | |
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How often do you or your loved ones use our roads (whether walking, driving or cycling) to get to school, work and play?
The Ottawa Safety Council is a registered charity focused on promoting social impact through education and engagement. Your donations support our road safety programs such as WalkSafe, BestFit Booster, and CycleSafe.
All donations through Canada Helps receive a tax receipt.
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