Who we are
The Legislative Protective Service provides a full range of in-house security and protective services to the legislative precinct under the direction of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The legislative precinct represents the main Legislative Building, its grounds, and the Whitney Block.
The physical protection and security of the Ontario Legislature and the legislative precinct is administered by the Speaker of the Assembly, who is supported by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and the Office of the Assembly. One of the Speaker’s most important roles is the protection and security of the precinct so that members of provincial Parliament can safely perform their constitutional role. The Speaker delegates this authority to the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Sergeant-at-Arms oversees the Legislative Protective Service, which is the service responsible for security services and physical protection in the legislative precinct.
The precinct includes the Legislature, several floors in the Whitney Block, and the south grounds. The legislative precinct is the area bounded by Wellesley Street to the north and Queen’s Park Cresent to the south, east, and west.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is a well-known tourist attraction that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year including VIPs, school groups, tourists, and people who are there to conduct meetings with their member of provincial Parliament.
The LPS provides core security functions to the Legislative Assembly, including:
- access control
- crowd management
- investigative services
- armed response
- patrols
- general law and security enforcement
The service has been built to be a standalone protective service, separate from government, with complete control of hiring, training, policy development, and supervision.
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Vision
The Legislative Protective Service (LPS) will be recognized as a progressive, proactive, and innovative protective service.
Mission
LPS members and civilians dedicated to the protection of the parliamentary process through the maintenance of public safety.
Values
Integrity
We foster an impartial environment based on honesty, accountability, and open communications.
Inclusiveness
We respect and embrace the perspectives, abilities, and diversity of all.
Collaboration
We achieve our goals by working with others in a co-operative spirit.
Excellence
We provide exemplary professional service through the contribution, initiative, and commitment of all staff.
The Legislative Protective Service (LPS) has been the main provider of security in the legislative precinct for more than 20 years. The LPS, formerly called the Legislative Security Service, was originally created in 1997. The service was designed to enhance security after several issues were identified in a report by the Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly.
The service provided protection of the legislative precinct that included the main Legislative Building, several floors of the Whitney Block (the building to the east of the main building), and the legislative grounds, as the Speaker felt necessary.
In June 2018, the service was renamed the Legislative Protective Service, which more accurately reflects the role and services provided at the Legislative Assembly.
Historical timeline of Legislative Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms