Becoming a Security Guard in Ontario is similar to a lot of other provinces: you need to meet basic security licensing requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual requirements of this nature.
Furthermore, to get a Security Guard license in Ontario, you need to take a government approved Ont Security Guard licensing course:
In Ontario, the government body that controls an Ontario Security Guard's license is Service Ontario which is a government body acting under the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
So, it is Service Ontario that will have a list of approved Ont security licensing courses. A list of approved security training providers can be found on their website.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements and completion of the Ontario security training course to Service Ontario, you will get your Ont Security Guard license.
How Much is it to Get My Security Guard License in Ontario?
The cost of a Security Guard license in ON will be $160 CAD. This cost will involve taking an ON ministry approved security course and then paying for a physical ON Security Guard license:
$79.00 CAD - ON Security Guard licensing course
$80.00 CAD - ON Security license processing fee
Ontario Security Guard License Requirements
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind or be under investigation for a crime.
Canadian Citizen: You need to be a Canadian citizen or be legally allowed to work in Ontario. You will have to submit two copies of government ID to Service Ontario.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
Ont Government Approved Security License Course: You will need to complete a security license course approved by Service Ontario and submit proof of completion.
Passport Photo: You will have to provide Service Ontario with a certified passport photo. Most passport photo services can often certify a passport photo.
Personal Reference: You need a guarantor that you have known for over two years and that is not a relative.
Fee: You will have to pay a small licensing fee, around $80CAD.
Submitting: The documents you submit can be sent to Service Ontario via mail or online uploading.
Service Ontario
Occupational Licensing Services Office
P.O. Box 4500
Kingston ON
K7L 0E1
What Does an Ontario Security Guard Do?
Ontario Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
Ontario Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for an Ontario Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
Ontario Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (Ontario Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in Ontario document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many Ontario security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
Ontario Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. Ontario Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
Ontario Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,
Evacuation of the security site.
Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.
Contacting supervisors.
Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.
Ontario Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If an Ontario Security Guard is working in a team environment, they will usually meet for a pre-shift briefing at a set location. Once the meeting has been completed the Ontario Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In Ontario security site locations with customers, Guards will do a lot of patrolling. This can be in a building or outside in places such as parking lots.
Ontario Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as an Ontario Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of an Ontario Security Guard’s job. This will be on a continuous basis with follow ups on issues seen.
When it comes to security sites in the service industry, Ontario Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, Ontario Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for Ontario security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. Ontario Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, an Ontario Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the Ontario security site is a residence, responding to noise complaints will be a big part of the job.
Of course, catching shoplifters will be a constant for an Ontario Security Guard in a site with customers.
Ontario Security Guards Work at Security Gates
Ontario Security Guards will patrol parking areas to make sure vehicles are registered at that security site.
Every person entering through the security gate will produce valid photo ID to the Ontario Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the Ontario Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for Ontario EMS vehicles.
Ontario Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at an Ontario security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all Ontario Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
Ontario EMS/ ambulances will often be called by Ontario Security Guards.
The Ontario Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
Ontario Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other Ontario Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
Ontario Security Guards will always remain calm and professional. Furthermore, they will assist however they can.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years working in Canadian security. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous security training programs in various capacities. Peter has personally trained many Canadian Security Guards and Toronto Private Investigators.