Security Guard Services in Calgary, AB

See the Canada page for coverage across Canada.

Retail Districts Covered in Calgary

MGP supports retailers and property managers across Calgary, including:

• CF Chinook Centre
• Market Mall
• Southcentre Mall
• The CORE Shopping Centre
• Stephen Avenue
• 17th Avenue SW

Security Considerations in Calgary

CF Chinook Centre carries much of the city’s luxury and premium tenant mix and draws shoppers from across southern Alberta. Stores here need floor coverage that blends customer service with careful observation, especially on weekends and during the holiday season, along with officers who coordinate closely with center security on incidents that move between stores.

Downtown Calgary’s office towers are connected by the Plus 15 skywalk network, which links buildings, retail and food courts above street level. Properties tied into this system have multiple entry points and heavy weekday traffic, then become quiet in the evening. Building owners need access control, lobby coverage and patrols that cover these connections carefully after business hours.

The Calgary Stampede in July brings ten days of crowds, events and late nights, and retailers and hospitality venues across the city see heavy traffic. Winter is long and can swing quickly with chinook winds, so officers must manage icy entrances, parkade safety and changing conditions while remaining dependable on early-morning and overnight posts.

Security Services in Calgary

Screening, Training and Supervision

Officers complete a five-stage screening process and tier-based training before assignment, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition. Supervisors make unannounced site visits, and the MGP Operations Desk answers 24/7/365. Incidents are documented on scene, time-stamped and GPS-verified.

Alberta Licensing

Security licensing in Canada is set by each province. In Alberta, McCray Global Protection operates under the MGP Hybrid Operating Model. Officers are supplied by vetted local partners who hold the licenses required by the province, and MGP manages the program: screening and training standards, supervision, Post Orders, reporting and account management.

Security Officer Requirements in Alberta

• Security guards, patrol dog handlers, alarm responders, loss prevention workers and body guards in Alberta must hold an individual security service licence under the Security Services and Investigators Act. The licence costs $100, is valid for 2 years and stays valid if the worker changes or adds employers. Source
• Applicants must complete the Alberta Basic Security Training course or the Accredited Basic Security Training course and pass the provincial exam with a score of 80% or higher, unless they hold a valid licence from another Canadian province or territory. Source
• Applicants must be over 18, be eligible to work in Canada, meet an English fluency standard (Canadian Language Benchmark 5), and have no criminal record, outstanding charges or open criminal investigation. A criminal record check, vulnerable sector search and local police database search are all required, and they expire 90 days after issue. Source
• Officers who carry a baton need employer approval and a 40-hour baton use-of-force course, with recertification every 36 months. Source
• Businesses providing security services must be licensed, be a registered Canadian business with an Alberta address, and carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. Businesses that serve the public must also provide criminal record checks for owners, partners and the board of directors. A 3-year security services business licence costs $1,500. Source

Common Questions

How is security guard coverage priced?

Rates depend on the officer classification, hours, schedule and site requirements. MGP provides a written rate schedule after reviewing your needs. Holiday, overnight and short-notice coverage is billed at a premium rate.