crimereport
New Beginnings
An introduction to Jewellers Vigilance Canada
and the organization’s industry-wide efforts.
By Phyllis Richard
W
elcome to Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) column, which
will be an ongoing regular feature in Canadian Jeweller
going forward into the New Year as part of JVC’s partnership
with CJ as our official magazine. Not only do we want to foster a better
understanding of what JVC does for the Canadian jewellery and watch
industry, but also to give you key information that will better your
businesses as well as help to keep your operations safe.
So what is JVC? Our beginnings date back to 1987 when industry
members came together to form a non-profit association that would
act as a watchdog. Twenty-two years later, JVC has become a respected
industry body delivering crime prevention education, consumer and
trade mediation, setting industry standards and guidelines for business
and acting as a key resource for government agencies. A volunteer
Board of Directors representing every sector of the Canadian jewellery
and watch industry (with a head office based in Toronto) governs JVC.
We have an Executive Coordinator, Carla Adams, together with myself
as Executive Director. All of us together are committed to making this
industry a fair place to conduct your businesses.
Our Key Initiatives: An Overview
JVC’s involvement in issues has run the gamut from anti-money
laundering (AML) industry compliance, developing a Code of Conduct
for Canadian diamonds, counterfeiting of jewellery and watches, to
being the lead association for all levels of law enforcement on jewellery
and watch related issues.
Consumers look to JVC for unbiased jewellery and watch industry
guidance and as a place to turn to when in need of assistance from
a third party when something goes wrong at a jewellery retailer. JVC
has successfully assisted thousands of consumers and helped, in many
cases, to restore their confidence in our industry. When a consumer
calls, JVC gives advice on how to proceed if they encounter difficulties
when dealing with a jeweller. Sometimes all that is needed is an unbiased
voice to restore a consumer’s faith in our industry. We also answer
questions on purchasing jewellery, especially if there is an appraisal or
certification involved. Many consumers are referred to us by jewellers
and also by Better Business Bureaus across Canada.
Industry members have also come to JVC to ask for assistance when
another member has perhaps crossed the line in what is fair practice.
There are Canadian laws in place to deter misleading and deceptive
marketing practices in advertising, and JVC’s mission is to guide
industry to those practices which enhance consumer confidence, not
erode it.
Over the last 20 years, JVC has worked with many government agencies
(FINTRAC, NRCAN, Industry Canada, the Competition Bureau
to name a few) on matters that affect our industry. Our affiliation
with other non-industry associations, such as the Canadian Anti-
Counterfeiting Network and the Canadian Security Association, has
brought this industry’s perspective to mutual concerns and issues.
Perhaps our most important contribution to date has been JVC’s
Crime Prevention Program. In 1999, JVC accepted an expanded
mandate to include crime prevention education, and thus embarked
on a journey that has led to an industry membership of close to 700
businesses representing well over 1,000 doors, a database of over
650 law enforcement members from coast to coast, a comprehensive
educational program developed with JVC’s partner, Jewelers Mutual
Insurance Company, and an alert system that has proven to prevent
crimes from happening against our businesses. Police now call upon
JVC for assistance in investigations and the apprehension of criminals.
JVC not only educates industry members but also brings important
awareness to police of the uniqueness of our industry. We have been
successful many times in bringing about a law enforcement task force
to concentrate on a particular problem. We have become a resource that
law enforcement not only respects but utilizes to catch criminals.
In upcoming issues of CJ, we hope to bring you up-to-date information
on the many facets of our mandate. We look forward to hearing from
you directly with your comments, questions and ideas. [CJ]
w w w. c a n a d i a n j e w e l l e r. c o m january 2010 CJ 37