Quebec Regulates Private Security
Quebec's Loi sur la sécurité privée (Private Security Act) has governed the industry since 2010. It's enforced by the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) — the provincial body that issues licences, investigates complaints, and maintains a public register of every licensed agency and agent in Quebec.
This isn't light-touch regulation. The law sets real requirements and real penalties. Understanding it helps you hire with confidence — and avoid the operators who cut corners.
Two Types of Licence
Agency licence — Any business operating a private security service in Quebec must hold an agency licence in the appropriate class. There are six classes, including guard services (gardiennage), investigation, and electronic security. The agency must operate from a Quebec establishment, carry liability insurance, and renew every three years.
Agent licence — Every individual guard — and their direct supervisor — must hold an agent licence. Requirements include prescribed training, good moral character, no relevant criminal convictions, and being at least 18.
What Happens Without a Licence
The penalties are specific:
- Operating a security business without an agency licence: $500 to $5,000 in fines
- Working as a guard without an agent licence: $150 to $1,500
- An employer hiring unlicensed guards: $500 to $5,000
The BSP actively investigates. Anyone — clients, competitors, the public — can file a complaint online, by email, or by phone. Operating while a licence application is still pending is explicitly prohibited.
How to Verify a Licence
The BSP maintains a public register of all licence holders at bspquebec.ca. Before hiring any security provider, look up their agency licence. Ask individual guards for their agent licence numbers if you want to be thorough. Legitimate operators expect this — it's a sign of a serious client, not an insult.
Our Position
Montreal Security Guards is a referral service, not a security agency. We don't hold a BSP agency licence because we don't operate security services. Every provider in our network, however, is a licensed operator — and we encourage every client to verify licences independently in the BSP register.
If a provider ever can't produce a valid licence, that's a red flag. Walk away, and consider filing a BSP complaint. The system only works if clients use it.