Calgary security guard remembered as hard-working father figure

George Fernandez's nephew, Gian Mabborang, says his uncle was a hard-working man who did all he could to provide for his family, especially his 15-year-old cousin, Fernandez's daughter, Margarette.

Police say Fernandez, a 73-year-old security guard, died trying to stop a Calgary woman from allegedly stealing packages from an office lobby in March. The 45-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter in relation to his death.

Fernandez's death, along with the death of an on-duty security guard in Edmonton, has prompted calls from an Ontario security guard association for improved oversight of the profession.

Fernandez was the glue bringing family together

Fernandez, the eldest of seven siblings, had a witty personality and would often joke with those close to him, Mabborang says. But Fernandez was also eager to share the wisdom he'd gained from life.

Mabborang adds that his uncle was the glue that always brought his family together.

"At 73, he was still working — I think that was two jobs — just to provide for Margarette and give her the future that she wants and she needs and she deserves," Mabborang said.

Fernandez, was like a second father to him and his cousins, Mabborang added. Fernandez took care of Mabborang when he first moved to Calgary, giving him a place to stay before he found an apartment to rent.

"All of my cousins and all of the young people will always call him 'Daddy George.' So he was really a father figure. He really looks out [for] everyone and will reach out to everyone if they need help. Just he's one message away," Mabborang said.

Calgary security guard's death is prompting group to push for more protections

3 days ago

Duration 1:42

George Fernandez, 73, was fatally injured in March while on duty at a downtown office building. A 45-year-old woman is facing manslaughter charges.

Mabborang adds that since Fernandez's death, he often talks to a framed photo of him that he keeps in his apartment.

"If I'm going to leave the house, [I say] 'Dad... watch over the place while I'm gone,'" he said.

An eight-year veteran of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Fernandez wished to be buried in a veterans' cemetery of the country he served. Mabborang says he is in the process of ensuring his uncle's remains are brought back to the Philippines to fulfil that wish.

Security guard association calls for increased protections

Following Fernandez's death, the Security Guard Association of Ontario increased its calls for more government oversight of security guards.

The association says it's noticed an uptick in incidents around Ontario over the past five years where security guards are either killed or injured while on duty. Paul Carson, chairperson of the Security Guard Association of Ontario, is pushing for government ministries in his province to get more involved when those incidents happen.

"We believe that the same holds true for Alberta," Carson said.

Carson would like to see governments look into possible regulatory issues around employment standards for security guards.

"We need to introduce standards," he said. "Standards in relation to how it is — or what it is that we do. We have legislation in place for the industry. It governs how we operate. It doesn't govern what we do within our operation."

He is also calling for new legislation surrounding the creation and certification of security guard companies.

"Obviously, we would like to understand from a training perspective, who trains, how they train and what standards they train to. The biggest part of this is whether the training that they're supposed to be delivering to security guards is imparted."

While it's unclear whether a lack of proper training played any role in the circumstances that led to Fernandez's death, Carson said he'd still like to see government take stock of training and safety protocols because of the death of Harshandeep Singh in Edmonton.

He says security guards often work in high-risk environments, but aren't treated the same way as some other workers when they are injured or killed.

"If a construction worker had a crane fall on his head he would have 12 investigators looking at why it is that this crane failed. What were the failure points? How did this all transact? With security guards, we don't see that at all," he said.

In a statement to CBC News, Alberta's Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones said the province is committed to working with employers and workers to make sure workplaces are healthy and safe.

He adds that provincial Occupational Health and Safety officials continue to investigate both Fernandez's and Singh's fatal incidents. Because the investigations are active, Jones said no further information can be provided at this time.

Alberta's occupational health and safety laws require employers to assess workplace health and safety hazards, and take steps to eliminate or control the hazards, Jones said. Employers are also required to ensure workers are adequately trained to perform work in a healthy and safe manner.

"It is always tragic when a worker dies on the job. Our government's goal is to have all workers return home safely after every workday," Jones said.

"Improving workplace health and safety starts with making sure workers and employers have the right tools and training to stay safe."

In order to become a security guard in Alberta, applicants must complete one of two approved security training courses and pass a provincial exam. Security guards can also become certified in Alberta by having a valid security licence from another Canadian province or territory.