Media Release: Surety Association of Canada & McMaster University Continuing Education Announce New Partnership

October 15, 2019 – Mississauga/Hamilton, ON – The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) and McMaster University Continuing Education are pleased to announce their new partnership to offer the Associateship of Canadian Surety Bonding (A.C.S.B.) Designation Program.

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. The program has been offered since September 1998 through the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies and is intended for those who plan on embarking on a career in the surety industry. 

“We are elated about embarking on this opportunity with McMaster University,” states Steven D. Ness, President of the Surety Association of Canada. “This new partnership will provide our association with additional resources to further enhance and develop the program going forward.” 

The structure of the A.C.S.B. Designation Program will remain the same, where students will be required to complete four (4) core courses and two (2) electives through a distance/online learning platform. Upon successful completion of the program, the designation of Associate of Canadian Surety Bonding (A.C.S.B.) will be conferred by the Surety Association of Canada.  The program is offered in English only at this time.

Lorraine Carter, Director, McMaster University Continuing Education comments, “Our partnership with the Surety Association of Canada is strong evidence of McMaster’s commitment to the needs of adult learners including those seeking professional designations. We are delighted to partner with SAC in order to bring this exceptional program to those aspiring to work in the surety industry.”

Starting in January 2020, those interested in pursuing or continuing to pursue their A.C.S.B Designation will be required to register with McMaster University Continuing Education for upcoming courses in addition to registering at the program level with the Surety Association of Canada. Mr. Ness further stated, “We would like to express our profound appreciation to the University of Toronto who have supported our association for the past 21 years with the delivery of this program which, to date, has bestowed the A.C.S.B. Designation on 188 graduates.” 

For PDF version of Media Release, CLICK HERE.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

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

Karen Hamilton
Assistant Director, Marketing & Enrolment
McMaster University Continuing Education
P: (905) 525-9140 ext. 23363
E: hamilk14 [at] mcmaster.ca 

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.

About McMaster University Continuing Education:

McMaster University Continuing Education is one of Canada’s largest and leading providers of academic certificate and diploma programs, professional development education, and corporate training. Programs are available in Business & Management, Communication & Design, Health & Social Services and Metallurgy.