Ontario’s private-security program includes public complaint, licensing, registry and enforcement mechanisms. Clients can use those systems as part of due diligence.
At a glance
- The ministry provides a public complaint process for concerns about licensee compliance.
- Agency and individual licences can be checked through public registry tools.
- The Code of Conduct creates enforceable standards for individual licensees.
What this means in practice
The official rules establish a baseline, but a workable security assignment still needs property-specific decisions. The client and provider should turn general requirements into clear instructions about what is checked, who can authorize exceptions, what must be documented and when another authority takes over.
Questions to confirm
- Is the concern operational, contractual or regulatory?
- Has the issue been documented factually?
- Does the concern warrant internal review, client escalation or a regulator complaint?
Picture this at your property
A client receives a serious conduct complaint about a guard. The issue should be documented and reviewed through the provider’s process, while regulatory complaint options remain available where appropriate.
The value of the example is the decision process: identify what is known, what remains uncertain, who has authority, and what information should be preserved for follow-up.
Practical takeaway
The strongest security process is usually the one that makes responsibilities, observations and escalation clear. That creates a service that can be understood and reviewed without overstating what security can guarantee.
Official sources & verification
1. Private security and investigative services — Government of Ontario
2. Requirements for security guard and private investigator agencies — Government of Ontario
3. O. Reg. 363/07: Code of Conduct — Ontario e-Laws
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08. This resource provides general Ontario information and is not legal advice. Legal authority and obligations depend on the facts, the property, the applicable law and current official guidance. Confirm current requirements with the responsible government authority or qualified legal counsel when a decision has legal consequences.