Night shift security guard in Quebec: premium, health and rights
Night premium of $1.00/h between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., paid meal, overtime, working alone and health: what the Decree, the Act and the CCOHS say.
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Watching a warehouse at 3 a.m., doing rounds in an empty parking lot, staffing a factory gatehouse while everyone else sleeps: the shift of a night security guard is a job of its own. It comes with a premium set out in the Decree, precise rules on meals and overtime, and health and safety risks that are better known in advance. Here is what the official texts say.
What is the night premium for a security guard?
The Decree respecting security guards defines the P-11 premium as a benefit paid for hours worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (section 1.01). Its amount is set in section 4.07: $1.00 an hour, and that amount does not change from one year to the next in the table in force until 2027.
Three useful details:
- The premium applies to the hours worked in that window, not to the whole shift. A shift from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. therefore gives 4 hours of premium (from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.).
- It adds up with the other premiums: the Decree specifies that more than one premium can apply at the same time (first aid, customer service, health institution, etc.).
- The Decree provides no separate evening premium: before 10 p.m., there is no night premium.
For the full list, see our article on the premiums in the security guards' Decree.
How much does a night security guard earn?
The base wage is the same as on days. Only the premium changes. Since June 28, 2026, the Decree's minimum rate is $20.60 an hour for a Class A employee and $20.85 for Class B (section 4.07).
| As of June 28, 2026 | Base rate | With the P-11 night premium |
|---|---|---|
| Class A employee | $20.60 | $21.60 |
| Class B employee | $20.85 | $21.85 |
These are minimums: the employer can pay more. As of July 4, 2027, the rates rise to $21.10 (Class A) and $21.35 (Class B), and the night premium stays at $1.00. The rates are explained in detail on our page about security guard salary and the Decree.
Overtime at night
The regular workweek is 40 hours (section 3.01). Hours worked beyond that are overtime, as are hours added to a shift when they are mandatory for more than 4 hours (section 3.03). They are paid with a 50% increase (section 3.04).
The 50% increase is calculated on the wage without the hourly premiums, except the P-4 (first aid) and P-12 (customer service) premiums. The P-11 night premium is therefore not increased: on an overtime hour, it stays at $1.00.
For the weekly calculation, hours count in the day on which they are worked (section 3.01). The Decree also allows, under strict conditions, hours to be spread over a maximum of 4 weeks, with the employees' agreement and a notice to the parity committee at least 60 days before (section 3.01.1).
The meal during a night shift
Section 3.12 gives the right to a paid 30-minute meal period for each work period of 5 hours, whether or not the guard is authorized to leave the post. If the guard cannot leave the post, the guard eats on site, but is not paid an extra half-hour for it. The Decree contains no other rule on breaks.
To go further on the Decree's rules, read the security guards' Decree explained simply.
Is it hard to work nights as a security guard?
For many people, yes, at least at first. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), night work disrupts the circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock that manages sleep, digestion and body temperature. Daytime sleep is rarely as deep or as restful as night sleep, and constant fatigue is a common complaint.
The CCOHS also mentions digestive problems (heartburn, loss of appetite), effects on the heart and on family and social life. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified night work as "probably carcinogenic" (Group 2A), based on limited evidence in humans. It is not a certainty, but it is a reason to take your health seriously. If a problem lasts, talk to a health professional.
Practical tips from the CCOHS
- Sleep: sleep at regular hours, in a dark, quiet and comfortable room (good blinds, phone on "do not disturb"). Ask your family to respect those hours.
- Meals: eat light during the shift and have a moderate breakfast when you get home, so you are not woken up by hunger or heavy digestion.
- Snacks: drink plenty of water, choose crackers and fruit over soft drinks and candy. Cut down on salt, caffeine and alcohol. Avoid fatty foods at night.
- Medication: avoid excessive use of antacids, tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
- Fitness: stay in good physical shape and take your leisure time seriously.
The CCOHS also points out that the night shift is the one that leads to the most incidents, and that the risk increases with successive nights. Rest well between two shifts.
What must the employer do when the guard works alone at night?
The Act respecting occupational health and safety requires the employer to take the necessary measures to protect the worker's health, safety and physical and mental well-being (section 51). In particular, the employer must make sure the organization of the work is safe, and provide suitable lighting, drinking water, sanitary facilities and safe equipment in good condition. For their part, workers must take the necessary measures to protect their health and safety and take part in eliminating risks (section 49).
The Act contains no detailed rule specific to working alone. The CCOHS, which expressly names security guards among the people who work alone, recommends:
- a check-in procedure: a contact person (and a backup), calls or messages at set times, and a plan if the guard does not answer
- a charged phone within reach, or another means (radio, alert device, GPS) where cell coverage is doubtful
- an assessment of the site's risks and training for the guard and for the person who must respond.
How do you travel safely at night?
Rounds and trips between two sites are part of the shift. The CCOHS recommends that someone in the organization know the destination and the route, the expected arrival time, the return time, the means of transportation and a backup plan (bad weather, traffic). After a night shift, fatigue also plays a part on the road: if you are too exhausted to drive, it is better to stop than to risk an accident.
What should you do after an incident during the night?
At night, there are often fewer witnesses and less supervision: the written report becomes the memory of the event. Write down the facts as soon as possible, with the exact time, the place, the people present and what you did. The CCOHS also recommends reporting near misses where being alone made the situation worse. For the steps to follow, use our incident report template for security guards.
The Decree sets minimums. A collective agreement or your contract may provide for better. If you have a doubt about your pay, the Comité paritaire des agents de sécurité (CPAS) is the body responsible for enforcing the Decree.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the salary of a night security guard?
In Quebec, the Decree's minimum rate is $20.60 an hour in Class A and $20.85 in Class B since June 28, 2026, the same as on days. The P-11 night premium adds $1.00 for each hour worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., which gives $21.60 and $21.85. These are minimums: the employer can pay more.
How do you become a night security guard?
In Quebec, the steps to become a security guard are on our page about how to become a security guard. For night work, the Decree provides the P-11 premium of $1.00 an hour for hours worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Does the night premium apply to my whole shift?
No. The $1.00 P-11 premium covers only the hours worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Hours before 10 p.m. or after 6 a.m. are paid at the regular rate.
Is my night premium increased on overtime hours?
No. The 50% increase excludes the hourly premiums, except P-4 and P-12. The night premium stays at $1.00 an hour.
Am I entitled to a paid meal break at night?
Yes: 30 paid minutes per 5-hour work period, even if you cannot leave your post (section 3.12).
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