Security guards in the province of Ontario must be licensed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA). However, not all companies comply with these conditions. Business owners and property managers who attempt to save money by engaging uninsured or unlicensed guards are endangering themselves to legal implications, financial loss, and reputation damage.
Take the example of a Vaughan warehouse facility that had hired a freelance “security guard” for the first time as part of cost-cutting measures. A breaker-in had made an entry one night, and the guard, being untrained, failed to respond as he was supposed to. Unfortunately, the guard himself was injured. Since the guard was not insured by a company that is accredited, the building owner was faced with a lawsuit and an insurance dispute claim. The cost savings they thought they were getting turned out to be an expensive legal fiasco.
Compare this to a different Toronto, Ontario business, where GuardsOn Canada Security was contracted to provide insured and licensed guards to a logistics company. During a minor fire that broke out near the loading dock, our experienced guard knew what to do, and he called emergency services while evacuating staff safely. Since our personnel are licensed and insured, the process was continued without a problem, and the client avoided being involved in any liability concern. The difference was professionalism, preparation, and protection.
1. Legal Compliance
In Ontario, the PSISA prohibits the hiring of unlicensed guards and can result in significant fines and penalties. GuardsOn Canada Security ensures that every member of staff is fully licensed, trained, and cleared to provincial standards. This will give peace of mind to property managers that they are not acting illegally.
2. Liability Protection
If there is an accident involving an uninsured or unlicensed guard—whether injury, property damage, or use of force—the client is financially and legally responsible. GuardsOn carry complete liability and WSIB coverage, protecting our clients from unexpected claims and lawsuits.
3. Professional Standards
Trained guards receive required training in conflict de-escalation, use of force, legal rights, and emergency procedures. This equips them to respond more effectively from theft deterrence to crisis de-escalation situations. In downtown Toronto, for example, one of our trained guards de-escalated a heated dispute outside a condominium building with the help of verbal de-escalation skills learned through certification training to tackle a potentially violent confrontation.
4. Reputation & Trust
Residents, staff, and clients feel safer if they can spot a professional, uniformed security guard who clearly works for a reputable, insured company. It is a message: this building is concerned with safety. In Mississauga and Hamilton, our presence at commercial and residential sites has not only reduced incidents but increased tenant satisfaction and retention.
5. Insurance Compliance & Claims Support
Insurers often require proof of professional security measures to pay claims in whole. In Brampton, a client was refused a claim after a burglary due to the presence of unlicensed guards on premises. Future claims were settled well after the client switched to GuardsOn’s licensed personnel, and premiums reduced.
6. Availability of Specialized Services
Certified security companies such as GuardsOn offer specialized services such as fire watch, event security, and crowd control, all of which require certified personnel. In Ottawa, GuardsOn helped a builder meet municipal fire watch regulations and avoid costly project delays.
Final Thoughts
Here at GuardsOn Canada Security, we don’t think of security as a service—it’s a duty. That’s why we go above the minimum, providing Ontario companies with fully licensed, insured, and highly skilled guards that embody the utmost safety standards.
Don’t put your property at risk. Choose GuardsOn Canada Security— a partner that protects you legally, financially, and operationally.