Government Building Security Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Sensitive information and security screening

Government buildings hold information about people, businesses and the country. The Government of Canada sorts sensitive information into two groups. Protected information could hurt a person, an organization or the government if it got out. Classified information could hurt the national interest, such as defence or Canada's stability.

Security screening for contract guards

Public Services and Procurement Canada runs the Contract Security Program. It screens employees of contractors who need access to sensitive government information, assets or work sites.

• Reliability status is needed for access to protected information, assets or work sites.
• A security clearance is needed for access to classified information, assets or work sites.
• You cannot start your own screening. Your company security officer must request it.
• Even with screening, you see only what you need to know for your job.

Screening is separate from your guard licence. Provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia require security guards to hold a provincial security licence. This course is background knowledge only and does not replace that training.

Lesson 2: Security zones and escorts

RCMP guidance divides a government facility into zones. Each zone is harder to enter than the one before it.

The reception zone is usually at the entrance, where visitors first deal with the department. RCMP guidance says it can include the areas where people interact with security guards. After hours or at lock-up, a reception zone may be treated as an operations zone, because it may still need protection.

Escorts

Visitors should be escorted in operations, security and high security zones unless they hold the right clearance and have been authorized. Under the RCMP access guide, contracted staff and guards may escort only in the public and reception zones unless they hold a valid Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Lesson 3: Access cards, visitors and keys

Access cards

• Challenge anyone in a restricted area who is not wearing or showing an approved card.
• Each person should have only one card, unless a risk assessment supports more.
• No single official should both approve and issue a card.
• Cards are collected when a job or contract ends, or when they are no longer needed.

Visitors

Security staff should check each visitor's identity. Visitors and contractors may get a card that shows they have temporary authorization to enter an area. Employees should sign in their visitors and be responsible for the card. Keep a visitor register. During an emergency such as a fire evacuation, it helps you quickly account for everyone in the building. For each card issued, record the date, the person's identity, the card number and the expiry date.

When the threat level rises

Keys

Master keys should not leave the building, and they should not be marked in a way that shows which building they open.

Lesson 4: Serving the public: languages and protests

Official languages

Under section 25 of the federal Official Languages Act, when another person or company provides services on behalf of a federal institution, the public must be able to get those services in English or French wherever the institution itself would have to offer both. This may include a contract guard at the front desk.

Section 28 calls this the active offer. The institution must let people know that service is available in either language, for example with signs, notices and by starting the conversation in a way that offers both languages. Follow your post orders on greetings and on getting help in the other language.

Some provinces have their own rules. In New Brunswick, the Premier wrote to ministers in 2006 to remind them that people who deal with security officers in government buildings should be able to do so in the language of their choice.

Protests and demonstrations

Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. These freedoms are subject only to reasonable limits set by law, so peaceful protest in public places near government buildings is generally allowed. RCMP guidance says departments should have procedures for protests and demonstrations, as well as for armed intruders.

• Stay calm, polite and neutral. Do not argue or take sides.
• Keep entrances and exits clear and protect the building.
• Observe and report to your supervisor as your procedures say.
• Call 911 if there is violence, a threat or an emergency.

Lesson 5: Mail, destruction and incidents

RCMP guidance says departments must have procedures for screening incoming mail and deliveries for suspicious packages. When a threat and risk assessment shows that guards are needed, the guidance says their duties, training, equipment and safety should be addressed. Your post orders tell you which of these tasks are yours.

Destroying sensitive material

When protected or classified material is destroyed, authorized people must watch the destruction. Anyone who does or witnesses the shredding must be screened to the highest level of the information being destroyed.

Security incidents

Security incidents must be dealt with right away and then reported to the right security officials. Examples include a door found unlocked, a lost card, a found document marked Protected or classified, or a person who got past reception without authority.

1. Make the situation safe and secure what you can.
2. Do not read sensitive documents you find. Keep them under your control.
3. Report to your supervisor and the client's security office as your post orders say.
4. Write clear notes: time, place, what you saw and what you did.