Parliamentary Precinct Security and Police Responsibilities

What is the Parliamentary Precinct?

The precinct comprises 35 Crown-owned buildings, of which 28 are designated federal heritage properties. The focal point of the precinct is the Parliamentary Triad (West Block, Centre Block, and East Block). Other properties within the precinct are to the south, east, and west of the Triad and include several leased holdings and special purpose facilities (including some properties outside of the Parliamentary Precinct Campus) that provide support functions for Parliament.

The boundary of the Parliamentary Precinct is made up of all lands south of the Ottawa River and north of Wellington Street between the Rideau Canal and Kent Street. That area contains the Centre, East and West Blocks as well as the Justice and Confederation buildings. The precinct also includes all lands north of Sparks Street and south of Wellington Street between Elgin Street and Bank Street. These are known as Blocks 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, the precinct includes the Rideau Committee Rooms at 1 Wellington Street and the Senate of Canada Building at 2 Rideau Street.

Who is responsible for what (i.e. beyond the PPS) and applicable laws

Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) is responsible for the security of Parliament Hill and the Parliamentary Precinct (which includes specific buildings).

PPS Protection officers do not have peace officer status and cannot charge people with Criminal Code Offences. Instead, the Ottawa Police Service, as the police of local jurisdiction typically are called in to investigate and lay charges if and when necessary.

The RCMP become involved with National Security investigations or when the RCMP's protective policing mandate is invoked (e.g., security involving Internationally Protected Persons, the Prime Minister, the Governor General, or other Ministers based on a threat assessment).

Background – Security and Policing the Parliamentary Precinct

Prior to 2015, the House of Commons and the Senate each had its own separate security entities while the RCMP was responsible for security outside the buildings on Parliament Hill. Having three separate organizations posed coordination and information sharing challenges.

In 2015, after the death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, amendments to the Parliament of Canada Act created a new entity, the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS), which was responsible for the physical security of the Parliamentary Precinct and the grounds of Parliament.

In support of these changes, the Minister of Public Safety, the RCMP Commissioner, and both Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure clarity of authorities governing the PPS.

The PPS, currently has the RCMP, an agent of the Crown, leading its operational mandate, which challenges the constitutional separation of the executive and legislative branches of government (e.g., the constitutional separation of powers is less distinct) and the inviolability of parliamentary privilege, which needs to be preserved.

In response to these challenges a transition strategy was initiated to augment PPS' operational capabilities and also reduce RCMP resources within the PPS. This transition strategy was completed in October 2021, and all RCMP frontline resources have been completely demobilized. As legislated, the Director of PPS is now the only RCMP member within PPS out of 764 PPS employees.

Date modified:

2023-04-18