About the BSP

About Us

The Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) was created by the Private Security Act (PSA), which came into force in its entirety on July 22, 2010.

It is the self-regulatory body that governs the private security industry in Quebec, more specifically the six major activity sectors defined in Section 1 of the PSA:

  • Security guarding
  • Investigation
  • Locksmith work
  • Activities related to electronic security systems
  • Transport of valuables
  • Security consulting

The BSP plays a key role in the professionalism of the private security industry in Quebec, hand in hand with stakeholders of this industry. 

Our mission
The BSP ensures the protection of citizens by continuously granting qualified and trustworthy individuals, the privilege of carrying on private security activities in Quebec; by repressing unauthorized activities and inappropriate conduct; and ensuring that they have access to relevant information.

Our vision
An organization that is effective, equitable and attentive, fully dedicated and committed to maintaining an honest and professional private security industry for the benefit of the citizens.

Our values

RESPECT : We show consideration for each individual. We act in a way that preserves dignity, with kindness. 

INTEGRITY: We are impartial. We are consistent, transparent and have strong ethics. 

ACCOUNTABILITY : We are professional and accountable for our actions, decisions and results. 

OPENNESS: We know how to listen and be resilient. Our ability to adapt is undeniable.

2023-2026 Strategic plan

To effectively direct its actions and make the most of its resources while contributing to a secure environment for the public and meeting the growing demands of private security, the BSP is relying on the three axes of its new 2023-2026 strategic plan.

  • OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
    Orientation: enhance the organization’s agility, effectiveness and efficiency by improving its practices and resources.
  • VISIBILITY OF THE BSP
    Orientation: promote acknowledgment of the necessity and positive contribution of a credible and effective self-regulatory body.
  • MANDATE FRAMEWORK
    Orientation: contribute to the evolution of the BSP's legislative, operational and financial framework to ensure that it has all the needed tools to effectively carry out its mandate to protect the public.

Powers granted to the BSP

In order to fulfill its mission, the BSP has certain powers granted by law:

Power to control the granting of the right to offer and carry out private security activities

The BSP controls the right to offer and carry out private security activities by issuing agency and agent licences in the six classes subject to the PSA. In so doing, it ensures that all licence applicants meet the criteria set out in the PSA and its regulations for the issue of an agent or agency licence, as the case may be. If any of these criteria are not met, the BSP has the power to refuse to issue a licence.

The BSP can also refuse to issue a licence to an enterprise or individual if:

  • For an agency:  the owner of the business, the representative, a partner or shareholder with a major interest in the business or a director was denied an agent or agency licence or renewal of a licence or whose licence was suspended or cancelled in the five-year period preceding the application.
  • For an agent: the applicant was denied a licence or renewal of a licence or whose licence was suspended or cancelled during the five-year period preceding the application.

Power to regulate and monitor the offer and performance of private security activities

All holders of a licence issued by the BSP must continue to meet the conditions of issuing a licence and fulfill the associated obligations set out in the PSA and its regulations throughout the validity period of the licence.

To protect the citizens, the BSP may also provide an agency licence holder with directives for carrying on its activities or require that its representative be replaced.

If these obligations are not fulfilled or the directives are not followed, the PSA grants the BSP the following powers over licence holders, according to whether they have an agency or agent licence.  

AGENCY

The BSP may suspend, cancel or refuse to renew an agency licence if the holder:

  • no longer meets the conditions prescribed by the PSA or its regulations for obtaining an agency licence;
  • fails to pay the annual fees;
  • was found guilty of an offence under the PSA or its regulations;
  • fails to follow the directives given the BSP;
  • fails to remplace, at the request of the BSP, the representative that it designated.


AGENT

The BSP may suspend, cancel or refuse to renew an agent licence if the holder:

  • no longer meets the conditions prescribed by the PSA or its regulations for obtaining an agent licence;
  • fails to pay the annual fees;
  • holds employment incompatible with the private security activity for which an agent licence was issued, particularly any employment in a police force;
  • was found guilty of an offence under the PSA or its regulations;
  • has violated the standards of conduct established by regulation.

However, the BSP has no choice but to cancel the agent licence of a holder who is found guilty of a criminal offense related to the activity that they carry on or who is no longer of good moral character.

An unfavourable BSP administrative decision can be appealed by applying to Tribunal administratif du Québec.  

Power to conduct investigations and inspections

To ensure the PSA and its regulations are enforced, the BSP is also granted powers of investigation and inspection. Go to the Investigations and Inspections section to learn more.