City of Ottawa officials have reported a 30 percent reduction in security incidents at city hall since the installation of secure screening gates nearly a year ago. The enhanced security measures, implemented in May 2025, require all visitors to pass through metal detectors and have their bags screened at the Laurier Avenue and Lisgar Street entrances before entering the building.
Decrease in Security Incidents
According to city data, there were 242 security incidents, averaging 20.2 per month, between June 2024 and May 2025. In the 11 full months following the activation of the screening gates, incidents dropped to 148, or 13.5 per month. Notably, the data no longer includes demonstrations as a sub-category, a change made after criticism from council members and community advocates.
Community Concerns and Response
The installation of metal detectors drew criticism from some community groups. Tom Ledgley of Horizon Ottawa described the measures as “invasive” and a barrier for public participation, stating they send “a bad message at a particularly bad time” and discourage people from attending city hall to deliver delegations. Beth Gooding, director of the city’s Public Safety Service, emphasized that the city remains committed to keeping city hall “safe, welcoming, and accessible.”
Change in Data Tracking
Previously, the city tracked demonstrations among security incidents at city-owned facilities alongside categories like break and enter, causing a disturbance, theft, trespassing, and vandalism. Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine objected to this practice, noting that demonstrations are largely peaceful and should not be grouped with such offences. Gooding acknowledged the feedback and explained that demonstrations were tracked because they require monitoring for potential escalation, but she admitted there was an “unintentional” effect of including them in the data.
