RCMP Parliament Hill Detachment

Who We Are

The RCMP is mandated to provide security on the grounds of Parliament Hill and works in close partnership with its security partners such as the Senate Protective Service, the House of Commons Security Services, the Ottawa Police Service, as well as local emergency services partners.

We are also responsible for maintaining law and order on the grounds of Parliament Hill and take an intelligence-led and integrated approach to securing the grounds.

The Parliament Hill Detachment takes great pride in protecting this highly symbolic and functional site, our parliamentarians, government employees and the thousands of yearly visitors who attend Parliament Hill.

What We Do

Duties of members on Parliament Hill include: protecting the grounds to detect and respond to potential threats, ensuring and maintaining the flow of traffic, providing assistance to Senate and House of Commons agencies when required, develop and establish security measures for visiting heads of state and VIPs who attend Parliament Hill.

Given its symbolic relevance, Parliament Hill is often the preferred location to host large scale celebrations, VIP visits and participate in demonstration and protests in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights. As the agency responsible for security on the grounds, the RCMP must ensure that such events take place in a safe, secure and lawful manner while balancing the Rights afforded to all Canadians.

Did You Know

• The policing of Parliament Hill is dictated by statutes and orders in council dating from 1946.
• RCMP members working on the Hill respond to approximately 500 demonstrations a year on average.

Partnerships

Parliament Hill members are also called upon to work closely with many different units/sections from within the RCMP, as well as several other agencies and departments such as the:

• Senate Protective Service
• House of Commons Security Services
• Ottawa Police Service
• Public Works and Government Service Canada
• National Capital Commission
• Heritage Canada
• RCMP Prime Minister's Protection Detail