Ontario includes loss-prevention work within regulated security-guard activity when the work consists primarily of preventing loss through theft or sabotage in retail or other environments.
At a glance
- Ontario’s PSISA specifically includes loss-prevention services within examples of security-guard work.
- People performing regulated loss-prevention work require the appropriate licence.
- Loss-prevention work is still governed by the Code of Conduct, including honesty, civility, lawful conduct and limits on force.
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 role licensed and clearly defined?
- What store procedures govern observation, approach and escalation?
- How are incidents documented without overstating what was seen?
Picture this at your property
A retailer wants someone to “watch for theft” but has no written process for observation, communication or police involvement. The role should be structured before an incident happens.
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 Act, 2005 — Ontario e-Laws
2. Security guard study guide — 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.