Montreal, June 29th 2021 – The Bureau de la sécurité privée (the “BSP”) wishes to inform the licence holders of its decision to terminate the issuance and renewal of the temporary pandemic licences on August 31st 2021, unless there is a major change in the pandemic evolution.
Temporary pandemic licence: an exceptional solution under section 17 of the Regulation under the Private Security Act.
During the health crisis, the BSP issued and renewed several thousands of temporary pandemic licences for private security activities. Decreed by the Quebec government as part of the official list of essential services and activities, security agencies have been highly solicited to offer their services to ensure protection to certain clientele and to reassure the population during the pandemic. As a result, in order to answer the demand for temporary labour, the BSP delivered a temporary pandemic licence to all applicants meeting the criteria for such licence, which exceptionally is exempted from the mandatory training. The BSP has also completed several thousand of renewals since the validity of the temporary pandemic licence is only four months.
More than 15 months have passed since the beginning of this crisis. It is clear that the fight against the pandemic is mainly articulated by the vaccination of the population to achieve the sought collective immunity. The results of the collective effort are reflected by the statistics showing a decline in the identified cases and in the achievement of vaccination coverage targets in Quebec. Consequently, the announcement of several relaxation of health instructions, the deconfinement, the measures and the recovery plans suggest a gradual return to normal.
Plan and relaunch activities in collaboration with stakeholders and private security partners
The BSP recently spoke with stakeholders and private security partners in order to set out a possible end date for the issuance and renewal of the temporary pandemic licence. In light of the exchanges, the BSP has determined that such end date will be August 31st 2021.
Notwithstanding the above, effective September 1st 2021, it will be possible to apply for a temporary pandemic licence ONLY FOR TEMPORARY LABOUR NEEDS IN THE VACCINATION AND SCREENING CLINICS with on-site supervision by a regular security guarding agent.
Encouraging the completion of the mandatory training among potential candidates
Given that the temporary pandemic licence is valid for four months, this means that approximately 8,000 people already in the private security activities will soon lose their right to work as a security guarding agent. They have become familiar with the issues and challenges of the work in the context of the health crisis and constitute a pool of prime potential candidates for mandatory training. Applicants interested in completing this mandatory training will be able to apply for a temporary work- study program (« ATE ») with the Bureau de la sécurité privée.
Ensuring the public’s protection
One of the cornerstones of the BSP’s public protection mission is to promote the professional character of the private security industry by imposing a minimum threshold of knowledge and skills, including the mandatory training required by the Regulation respecting the training required to obtain an agent licence to carry on private security activities.
Furthermore, we would like to remind you that, under the Private Security Act, the Bureau may deliver a temporary agent licence to an individual for other purposes when temporary labor is needed by a business for special events, such as sporting and cultural activities or festivals. The exercise of such activities requires specifically a temporary agent licence for special event.
The Bureau de la sécurité privée, in consultation with stakeholders and private security partners, is closely monitoring the situation. If changes were required with new announcements from provincial authorities, the BSP would respond promptly by notifying the licence holders, the stakeholders, and the private security partners.
The Bureau de la sécurité privée