Lansdowne is pleased to announce that our Security and Emergency Management Business Line team was recently selected by Transport Canada for the Analysis and Compilation of Federal Instruments Impacting on Maritime Commerce Resumption (MCR) Project.  The Lansdowne team led by Peter Avis will compile a full inventory of Federal Instruments impacting on MCR, assess their relevance and placement in the Emergency Management continuum, validate with involved departments, and make findings and recommendations with respect to improved MCR in the Marine and Port Security context.

Lansdowne will be supporting our traditional annual Christmas Wish project for the 8th year. This year, we contacted the Caldwell Family Centre and are receiving the particulars of families who are in need this holiday season. Thanks to your overwhelming support last year, we will again be supporting six families.

As always, participation for all is, of course, entirely voluntary. As in the past, we welcome participation from both Employees and Associates. Generally, one can contribute in two ways; financial contribution or directed gifts for the families.

Last year, we supported six families (a total of 25 people). As indicated, thanks to the generosity of Lansdowne Employees and Associates, we ensured gifts for the families, provided Christmas dinner and a financial contribution in the form of grocery certificates for those extra items needed to round out the holiday. We hope to be able to provide at least one gift for each adult and two for each child.

For financial contributions, please contact Trudy Millette directly with contribution details. All gifts should be placed in Trudy’s Gift Box by the front door at Lansdowne, before December 17th. We will also be donating non-perishable food items to each family – please place donations in Trudy’s Food Hamper between December 7th and 18th.

At this time of year when the need is the most greatest, our contributions help make Christmas for these families. These are austere times for many families and most of us find ourselves in fortunate positions to put food on the table and gifts under the tree.  We are hoping to do the same for these families. Thanks for your support!

Lansdowne was recently awarded a contract by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to assist the Departmental Security Officer (DSO) in providing business continuity related support services to both councils. 

Mr. Denis Lachaine of Lansdowne has been mandated to develop and provide the following three key deliverables to both councils as part of the Common Administrative Services Directorate in support of both aforementioned Councils:

(1) Research, plan, and develop a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for the H1N1 Flu Virus Pandemic Plan, which will be tailored specifically to both Councils;

(2) Update the Councils’ BCP Program with a specific focus on improving their current processes and unique roles; and

(3) Conduct a gap analysis for both Councils as it pertains to the recent changes and introduction as of July 1st, 2009, with the Policy on Government Security (PGS).  The gap analysis will provide the framework for a new and improved Departmental Security Program in meeting the significant challenges associated with the new accountabilities as outlined in the new PGS.

On Thursday, 01 October 2009, commencing at 5:00 pm, Lansdowne is convening a meeting for all Associates and prospective Associates in the Control Tower Room of the RCAF Officers Mess located at 158 Gloucester Street, Ottawa to allow for a brief overview of business development activities and social interaction among our larger team.   All Associates and Prospective Associates are all cordially invited to attend.We will gather from 5:00 to approximately 5:45 pm in the Control Tower to allow the Lansdowne partners to convey the following:

• the current status of business within the firm and an overview of forthcoming business opportunities,
• changes that have occurred in our business lines and in our client bases,
• upcoming events that might be of interest to our associates, and
• an opportunity to field any questions or comments you may have.

In addition to conveying the above points, the Lansdowne partners wish to learn from our Associates of any specific points they would wish to see covered or discussed.  Associates are invited to participate and are encouraged to bring forward their ideas and suggestions for advancing our respective goals.  On completion, we will adjourn for refreshments and a mix of hot and cold snacks.

The 6th Annual Lansdowne Associates Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, October 8^th 2009 at The Meadows Golf & Country Club (http://www.themeadowsgolf.com) located on Hawthorne Road in Gloucester. A block of concurrent tee times have been reserved starting at 12:30.  The format will be an 18-hole scramble.  

Green fees, cart costs, and refreshments will be covered by Lansdowne.  Refreshments and finger food will be served after the round.  Non golfers are welcome to join us at that stage of the event.  There will be the usual prizes for various feats performed on the course during the day.   

Please advise Trudy Millette (236-3333 ext 300) if you will be attending by October 1^st and provide her with your golf handicap so that we can balance the foursomes.  Further details such as tee off times, foursome team members, and map to the golf course will follow closer to the event.  We look forward to seeing as many of you out for the 6^th edition of this annual classic.

 Golfingly yours,  Lansdowne!

On Fathers Day, June 21^st, the intrepid Lansdowne team participated in the Huntington Society of Canada’s “Race for a Cure” Indy Go-Kart Challenge at the Thunderbird Go-Karts track on Conroy Road in Ottawa.  This is the fourth consecutive year that Lansdowne Technologies Inc. has been a major sponsor at this exciting fund-raising event for the Huntington Society.  While the day started out with a little rain, the sun came out in time to dry out the track and set the stage for some spirited driving from our team members who were helping to race for a cure for Huntington disease.  One can only assume that Jordyn had complete trust in her wild, racing mom, Lise!

More information on Huntington disease can by found on the Huntington Society of Canada web site at:  www.HuntingtonSociety.ca.

Lansdowne Awarded Contract by the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety for the Development of a Strategic Plan and Supporting Action Plans for Provincial Emergency Response Interoperability.

As of February 16, 2009, Lansdowne is working with the New Brunswick Emergency Response Interoperability Committee to develop a provincial emergency response interoperability plan in collaboration with the first responder and key stakeholder communities in the province.   In many cases, police, fire, emergency medical services and other public safety agencies are finding that they cannot perform daily mission-critical duties due to their inability to communicate and work with each other.  This is a strategic initiative to bridge the gap between the current state of emergency response interoperability in New Brunswick and the desired future capabilities.  Its intent is to increase the general awareness of the interoperability issues in the province, engage key stakeholders in the development of a practitioner-driven strategic plan, and coordinate resources to address the interoperability gaps.  Using their “GamePlan” approach, Lansdowne engaged key stakeholders in a 2-day workshop to gain consensus and gather the necessary information to prepare a draft Strategic Plan that will be the basis for province-wide consultation. 

This initiative by the province follows a national movement through the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) representing the first responder community across Canada to bring together representatives from public safety, industry, academia, government and non-government organization to collectively shape the future of Canadian public safety interoperability. 

Lansdowne has been chosen by PWGSC as a successful supplier of qualified personnel under the Temporary Help Services (THS) Standing Offer (SO) and Supply Arrangement (SA) for Stream 5 Professional Services.  Under the new SA, financial limits are $400,000 for a time limitation of up to 48 weeks. 

For more information on how to do business with Lansdowne using this procurement vehicle, email Michel Anglehart at m.anglehart@lansdowne.com or call 613-236-3333 ext. 304.

This exercise will take place in October and will include collaboration between numerous departments and agencies in the maritime security community.  It will encompass a Full-Scale Exercise (ships at sea etc) which will evaluate objectives pertaining to Port Security Regulations and National Security Policy requirements and a “Linked” Simulation Exercise in Ottawa (federal departments feeding the government decision-making apparatus) which will evaluate National Security Policy objectives and National Emergency Response System (NERS) protocols.  This exercise is a part of the National Exercise Program (NEP) that Public Safety leads.  Lansdowne will assist its Public Safety client in the project management aspect of the exercise.  This contract highlights the positive movement towards exercise and planning support that Lansdowne is taking in its growing Security and Risk Management business line.

Lansdowne Technologies will display once again how we ensure “Custom made solutions that help you succeed” at the CANSEC 2009 at the end of May.  This year we will join our defence and security counterparts at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa (1015 Bank Street) for the 2-day exposition on 27-28 May 2009. Lansdowne Technologies will have two booths (#2415 and 2417) in the EADS Canada Hall in the main building at Lansdowne Park.  There will be shuttles available from downtown (details TBP).