Security jobs and services in Canada: rates, licences and what to check
Security guard rates in Canada are listed at about CA$60 to CA$90 for tactical, close protection and armed cover, and a provincial licence adds fees of roughly CA$60 to CA$240. These are approximate figures from sellers' websites and licence pages in November 2026. For a quote for your site and shift pattern, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.
Approximate prices in Canada, November 2026 (sellers' websites)| Item | Option | Price range |
|---|
| Guard service rate | tactical, close protection or armed | CA$60 to CA$90 |
| Ontario licence application | security guard licence | CA$80 |
| Alberta licence | in person, security service worker | CA$100 plus a CA$9 service charge |
| British Columbia licence | one-year application fee | CA$120 |
| Ontario training | online course, no exam | CA$99 to CA$125 |
Licences are set by each province
A guard needs a licence from the province where they work, and the rules differ from one province to the next. In Ontario the route is 40 hours of training, an exam, a police check and an application fee of CA$80, and the training course is quoted plus HST. Alberta and British Columbia charge their own fees for security workers, so the Toronto or Calgary rate you agree should always come with a guard who holds the right licence for that province.
Winter and short days
Winter in Canada runs from December to February, and November is the last month before the short days begin. Night cover, patrols and site watch are often needed more from November onwards, when darkness falls early. Ask whether the guard needs a vehicle for patrols in the cold, and whether the shift covers the full dark period.
How the rate is quoted
The listed rates do not state whether they are per hour, per shift or per month, so ask the seller to confirm the unit before you compare offers. Check whether HST is included in the rate or added on top. Sites in Montreal fall under Quebec rules, which are not covered by the Ontario and Alberta figures above, so ask the seller to confirm the licence for each city.
What to write in your request
Give the site type and address, the number of guards per shift, the shift times and the number of hours a week. Say whether you need day or night cover, a vehicle patrol and a start date. Add your budget and the province so sellers can quote the correct licence.
Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own rate, terms and start date. The AI also looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Canada and shows the businesses and prices it finds. Your contacts stay hidden until you choose to exchange them. Create a request for your site, or read how BlaBlaPrice works. For the job side, see Security guard.
Questions and answers
How much does a security guard cost in Canada?
Listed rates run from about CA$60 to CA$90, for tactical, close protection or armed cover. The unit (per hour or per shift) is not always stated, so confirm it before you compare.
How much does a security guard licence cost?
In Ontario the application fee is CA$80, in Alberta the in-person licence is CA$100 plus a CA$9 service charge, and a one-year licence in British Columbia has a CA$120 application fee.
Do I need a guard licence for every province?
Yes, licences are issued by each province, so a guard must hold the licence for the province where they work.
Is HST added to security training?
In Ontario, training courses are quoted plus HST, so ask the provider for the total price.
