The Canadian province of Manitoba is facing increasing pressure to reform its security guard licensing rules after a video surfaced showing a guard at a retail store allegedly beating a suspected shoplifter with brass knuckles.
The incident, which reportedly occurred at a Dollarama store in Winnipeg, has sparked debate about whether current regulations allow individuals to work as security guards without adequate training.
Under existing rules in Manitoba, security guards must hold a licence that requires proof of completing an approved training program. However, the province also issues temporary licences that allow individuals to work as guards for up to six months without completing the training.
According to provincial officials, these temporary licences are granted only in exceptional situations, typically when companies urgently need staff and no other qualified candidates are available. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 161 temporary licences were issued.
But critics argue that the system could place untrained individuals in positions that involve dealing with potentially volatile situations.
Peter de Beer, general manager of Tataskweyak Security Inc., a private security firm in northern Manitoba, said the role of security guards has become more demanding and requires proper preparation.
“The expectations of security have gone way beyond what we ever were,” de Beer said, warning that insufficient training could lead to injuries and dangerous confrontations.
He noted that individuals without proper instruction may not understand when force is legally permitted or how to manage conflicts safely. According to him, the temporary licensing system can place inexperienced guards directly on the front line.
Temporary licences have also been used to help people with law-enforcement backgrounds transition quickly into the security industry and to address staffing shortages. Still, critics say the policy may unintentionally create public safety risks.
The incident has also drawn attention from advocacy groups. Eric Robinson, a board member with the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Manitoba and a former provincial legislator, said the temporary licence system should be scrapped unless training becomes mandatory.
Robinson argued that anyone placed in a position of authority who may need to use force must be properly trained in when and how it can be applied.
When asked about the case, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said his government is open to reviewing the regulations, although any reforms may begin with improving the training curriculum for security guards.
Experts say the current training programs already include lessons on legal authority, incident reporting, access control and interacting with the public. However, more emphasis on de-escalation techniques may still be needed.
Jack Ewatski, academic chair of the Public Safety Institute at Assiniboine Community College and a former Winnipeg police chief, said communication skills are a central part of training, and the use of force should always be considered a last resort.
The debate has also highlighted calls for stronger conflict-resolution education and cultural awareness training. Chief Lawrence Letander of Dauphin River First Nation said security personnel must be trained to handle tense situations without escalating them.
He added that training should include greater understanding of Indigenous history and trauma, particularly the legacy of Canada’s residential school system, to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to profiling or unnecessary confrontations.
Provincial officials say an updated training program is expected to include a new code of conduct and expanded Indigenous awareness education. The government is also planning to introduce a one-day Indigenous awareness course for security guards several times each year.
The controversy surrounding the Winnipeg incident has renewed calls for broader reforms, with advocates saying better training and stricter licensing rules could help prevent future confrontations and improve public trust in the security profession.
