Toronto used unlicensed private ‘security guards’ to patrol homeless shelters for years

For the past six years, people in neon vests patrolled Toronto homeless shelters, respite sites and encampments, acting as bouncers and security guards on behalf of the city — sensitive work that requires accreditation and training under provincial law.

But the company the city hired for this is not a licensed security agency, the Star has learned, a revelation that raises significant safety and accountability concerns, according to legal and industry experts.

Pro-worker Toronto Councillor @AusMalik, Dec. 2024: praises shelter security contractor OCS after voting to shovel it $8M more for staffing costs and workers’ pay

Coun. Malik, Feb. 2026: MIA after City kills OCS contract and learning it pays below minimum wage with City money pic.twitter.com/6OKTb5IESo

— Ryan O’Connor (@rpoconnor) February 7, 2026

One Community Solutions is privately held.