Media Release: Surety Association of Canada Recognizes the 2020 Graduating Class of the Associateship of Canadian Surety Bonding Designation Program

December 7, 2020 – Mississauga, ON – The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) held its 29th Annual General Meeting virtually on December 3, 2020. During the virtual event, the association recognized the 2020 Graduating Class of the Associateship of Canadian Surety Bonding (A.C.S.B.) Designation Program as follows:

  • Lezlie Abboud, Rosenberg & Parker of Canada
  • Arbaaz Aziz, Hub International / HKMB Limited
  • Morgan Dawson, Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
  • Hussam El Kaissai, Swiss Re
  • Mathilde Fourcade, Travelers Canada
  • Tyler George, Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
  • James Harris, The Guarantee Company of North America, an Intact Company
  • Benjamin Hicks, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada
  • Diana Ho, RAISE Underwriting
  • Kylie Hughes, Intact Insurance 
  • Kate Kubiski, Intact Insurance
  • Loryn Marcellus, Travelers Canada
  • Brilee Medd, Rogers Insurance Ltd. 
  • Cody Miller, Lloyd Sadd Insurance
  • Sarita Parmar, Marsh & McLennan Companies
  • Shannon Riley, Rogers Insurance Ltd.
  • Duncan Ross, Cowan Insurance Group
  • Cassidy Rush, Drayden Insurance Ltd.
  • Mark Schissler, The Sovereign General Insurance Company
  • Steve Stahl, Foster Park Brokers Inc.
  • Michael Wickstrom, Intact Insurance
  • Dexter Wood, Northbridge Surety Limited

“On behalf of SAC’s Board of Directors and Staff, we would like to congratulate this year’s graduates on achieving their designation as Associate of Canadian Surety Bonding”, stated Steven D. Ness, President of the Surety Association of Canada. “While we would have much preferred to have presented graduates with their certificates in person, this year’s class is one of the largest group of graduates in the history of the A.C.S.B. Designation Program…congratulations to all!”

The A.C.S.B. Designation Program aims to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of suretyship through a comprehensive review of surety bonds and related process and is intended for those who plan on embarking on a career in the surety industry. The program commenced in September 1998 and as of the start of this year is now offered in partnership with McMaster University Continuing Education.

Students who are enrolled in the A.C.S.B. Designation Program are required to complete four (4) core courses which include Principles of Suretyship, Contract Surety, Construction & Surety Law and Introductory Financial Accounting, as well as two (2) elective courses covering a wide range of business skills. All courses are offered through a distance/online learning platform.

More information about the A.C.S.B. Designation Program can be found on the Surety Association of Canada’s website HERE.

Registration is now open for the Winter 2021 term which can be done through the McMaster University Continuing Education website HERE.

For PDF version of Media Release, CLICK HERE.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Sharon Clark-Koufis
Director of Operations, Membership & Stakeholder Services
Surety Association of Canada
P: (905) 677-1353 ext. 202
E: sclark [at] suretycanada.com  

About the Surety Association of Canada:

The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) is the national trade advocacy association that represents the interests of the surety industry across Canada. Its members consist of primary surety firms, surety reinsurers, surety/insurance brokers, and other organizations that provide related and complementary services to the surety industry.

While the majority of the surety industry’s premium revenue is derived from construction contract bonds, SAC also represents the interests of those organizations that focus on non-contract or commercial surety. SAC does not represent or advocate on behalf of the fidelity bond industry.

Since its formation in 1992, SAC has become a trusted resource for construction purchasers, design professionals, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders in construction and business communities. SAC has developed its own bond forms in response to industry need and in consultation with the construction industry.

SAC and its members regularly meet with owners, contractors, other associations and related organizations to educate them about surety bonds and the suretyship process. SAC also monitors legislation across the country that will impact its members and works diligently to advance the surety cause with lawmakers and government officials.