An armoured truck robbery in Toronto Monday night (January 20) has once again raised safety issues in the industry. Unifor, which represents 2,000 workers in Canada’s armoured car industry is concerned by a lack of regulations, and a tendency by certain companies to reduce truck crews from three to two persons.
The incident in Toronto involved a two-person armoured car crew. The third person is usually within the truck and acts as a lookout for suspicious activity around the armoured truck.
“We are grateful that no one was hurt in this incident, but cannot be complacent that there will not be injury the next time there is a robbery,” said Jerry Dias, the president of Canada’s largest private sector union, Unifor.
Last year the union called on the federal Minister of Public Safety Steve Blaney to establish a task force on the industry, but has not heard from him.
The union is not only concerned for its members, but also the public. These robberies usually occur on the street or in shopping centres.
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda spoke to Mike Armstrong, National Representative for Unifor, and responsible for the armoured car industry in Canada’s most populous province of Ontario, where Monday night’s robbery occurred.
ListenMore information:
National Post – Fairview Mall armoured truck heist sees two suspects exchange gunfire with guards – here
CBC News – Shots fired in Fairview Mall armoured vehicle robbery – here
Unifor press release – Armoured car robbery shows need for improved protections – here
Unifor letter to Minister of Public Safety Steve Blaney (pdf) – here
Unifor “Armed and Safe” study (pdf) – here
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