In July, 2009, SNC-Lavalin Power Ontario was fined $300,000 in a Health and Safety conviction.

In June, six companies were assessed an average of over $65,000 in fines under the same statute.

During the same month of June, five charges went to court under the Environmental Protection Act and resulted in total fines of over $450,000.

Directors, Officers and Employees at Lake Joseph Golf Club had to face serious charges under the Ontario Liquor Control Act related to alleged over-serving of alcohol and the deaths of three young people and still face the likelihood of significant civil claims.

On top of that, law suits against businesses have increased and in a recent survey, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business indicated that 45% of those canvassed regarded Insurance Premiums as a Main Cost Concern.

Law suits, rising insurance premiums, regulatory changes and non-compliance can hinder the ability to achieve short term goals and even threaten the very existence of the entire company.

Research has shown that the main reason such attacks succeed is that most businesses and organizations fail to take proper steps to protect themselves.

The failure, even in risk managed organizations, usually stems from reliance on good practices without the ability to prove that they amount to Due Diligence.