BSP: Quebec's Bureau de la sécurité privée Explained
What the BSP is in Quebec, its powers, what it does not do, how to reach it and how to file a complaint against a guard or an agency.
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The BSP, or Bureau de la sécurité privée, is the body that regulates private security in Quebec. If you want to become a security guard, it issues your licence. The BSP does not set your pay and does not give your training. Here is what it does, what it does not do and how to reach it.
What is the BSP in Quebec?
The Bureau de la sécurité privée is established by the Private Security Act (section 39). The Act specifies that it is a legal person. According to the BSP, this Act came into force in its entirety on July 22, 2010.
Its mission, written in section 41 of the Act, is to see to the protection of the public. The BSP sums it up this way: granting qualified persons of integrity the privilege of carrying on private security activities in Quebec.
Which activities does the BSP regulate?
Section 1 of the Act names six private security activities:
- Security guarding (watching or protecting persons, property or premises)
- Investigation
- Locksmith work
- Electronic security systems (alarms, video surveillance, access control)
- Transport of valuables
- Security consulting
A security guard in the everyday sense works in security guarding. Peace officers, such as police officers, are not covered by the Act (section 2).
What are the BSP's powers?
The Act gives the BSP several specific roles:
- Issuing agency licences and agent licences (section 41)
- Seeing that the Act and its regulations are applied (section 41)
- Processing complaints against licence holders (section 41)
- Authorizing inspectors to verify that the Act is applied (section 69) and conducting investigations
- Keeping a register of licence holders up to date (section 76)
- Suspending, revoking or refusing to renew an agent licence, for example if the holder does not pay their annual fees or no longer meets the conditions (section 30)
For the licence conditions, documents and fees, see our BSP licence guide. To check whether a guard or an agency holds a valid licence, read how to consult the BSP register.
Who runs the BSP?
Under section 44 of the Act, the BSP is administered by a board of directors of 11 members:
- Four members appointed by the Minister, one of whom must come from the police community
- Seven members appointed by the representative private security associations recognized by the Minister
The BSP indicates that these associations represent, among others, security agencies, private investigators, locksmiths and armoured transport. Section 133 of the Act still names the Minister of Public Security. That department is now called the Ministère de la Sécurité intérieure, and this is the name the BSP uses.
What does the BSP not do?
Many guards turn to the BSP with questions that come under other bodies. This table helps you find the right door.
| Body | Its role for a security guard |
|---|---|
| BSP | Agent and agency licences, register, complaints against licence holders, inspections and investigations |
| Comité paritaire des agents de sécurité (CPAS) | Enforces the Decree that sets the minimum wage, hours and working conditions in security guarding |
| CNESST | Work accidents, health and safety, labour standards |
| Sûreté du Québec | Background checks done as part of the licence application and monitoring during its term |
| School service centres and recognized schools | Give the training required to obtain the licence |
For pay, read our explanation of the security guards' decree. For training, see our page on security guard training.
How do you reach the BSP?
Here is the contact information published by the BSP:
- Address: 1611, boulevard Crémazie Est, bureau 500 (5th floor), Montréal (Québec) H2M 2P2
- Phone (Montreal): 514 748-7480
- Toll-free: 1 877 748-7483
- Email: info@bspquebec.ca
Service hours can change, for example during a temporary closure. Check them on bspquebec.ca before you go.
What online services does the BSP offer?
- Online application: according to the BSP, this is the fastest way to get the regular licence.
- Mon dossier (my file): lets the holder of a valid licence send their documents securely.
- Accès Agent: a portal reserved for agents, accessible from the BSP website.
- Accès Agence: used by agency licence holders, for example for the annual declaration or to file an insurance certificate.
If you are waiting for your regular licence, also read our article on the BSP temporary licence.
How do you file a complaint against a guard or an agency?
The BSP receives complaints about, among others, a business that offers private security activities without a valid licence, a person who works without a licence, an employer who hires unlicensed personnel or an agent who lacks professionalism. The complaint is made with the BSP form, sent to plaintes@bspquebec.ca or by mail to the Direction des enquêtes et inspections (the investigations and inspections branch), or by phone at 514 748-7480, option 2. Depending on the results of the investigation, the file can lead to penal proceedings or a disciplinary measure.
The Déclaration d'une insatisfaction (statement of dissatisfaction) is something else. It is used to report a problem with the services, tools or staff of the BSP itself. The signed form is sent to insatisfactions@bspquebec.ca or by mail. The BSP announces an acknowledgement of receipt within 2 business days and a follow-up within 30 business days.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the mission of the Bureau de la sécurité privée?
In Quebec, the mission of the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) is to see to the protection of the public, under section 41 of the Private Security Act. It issues agency licences and agent licences, sees that the Act and its regulations are applied, processes complaints against licence holders and keeps the register of licence holders up to date. It does not set guards' pay and does not give their training.
Can the BSP help me if my employer does not pay me the right wage?
No. The minimum wage of guards is set by decree, and enforcing it is the job of the Comité paritaire des agents de sécurité. The BSP takes care of the licence.
Does the BSP give security guard training?
No. The required training is taken at a school service centre or a recognized school. The Act only provides that the BSP trains the representatives of agency licence holders (section 41).
Can the BSP take away my licence?
Yes. Section 30 allows it to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew an agent licence, in particular for unpaid annual fees or conditions that are no longer met.
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