Here's what you need to know about new ‘enhanced security measures' at Ottawa City Hall

CTV News

22-05-2025

People visiting Ottawa City Hall to renew a driver's licence and health card, pay a water bill, watch a council meeting or meet with elected officials will soon have to pass through a metal detector to enter the building.
The City of Ottawa will introduce 'enhanced security measures' at City Hall on Laurier Avenue West, starting on Monday.
The city says all visitors will 'have their bags screened' and will be required to go through a metal detector, similar to security at professional sports venues, before entering the building.
Ottawa City Hall is home to a ServiceOntario centre and an Ottawa Client Service Centre, meaning visitors to the two service counters will be required to pass through security before entering.
CTV News Ottawa looks at what you need to know about the new security measures at Ottawa City Hall.
Why is the city introducing 'enhanced security measures' at City Hall?
'Over the years, security risks and incidents have evolved, resulting in various levels of government updating their security procedures for entry into their administrative and legislative centres,' the city said in a media release last Friday.
'As a result, the city will be adopting security screening measures, which is a best practice model that it is currently in place in other public-facing government buildings in the national capital region, as well as at City Hall buildings in Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal.'
Entering Ottawa City Hall
Ottawa City Hall will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
The city says all visitors will be asked to use the Laurier Avenue West or Lisgar Street entrances, where security screening will be set up.
On weekends, you will only be able to enter Ottawa City Hall through the Laurier Avenue entrance.
Security screening
When you arrive at Ottawa City Hall, you will be required to have your bag screened and to pass through a metal detector.
The city says during the security screening process, visitors will be required to:
Place coats, cellphones, laptops, purses, bags and anything in your pocket onto a tray for X-ray screening.
Visitors will then be asked to walk through a metal detector.
Prohibited items
The City of Ottawa says to avoid any delays at the entrances, visitors should not carry any of these prohibited items:
Sharp objects, blades or tools
Compressed gas cylinders, aerosol cans, or powders
Explosive or flammable items
Weapons, including toy replicas
Noisemakers, megaphones or air horns
Large placards or signs (that are not made of cardboard or cloth
Current security measures
In 2020, the city introduced security measures to enter Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall for committee and council meetings.
Security access gates were installed at the two entrances, and security started inspecting purses, bags and coats before visitors passed through the gates.
Entering through the parking garage
The City of Ottawa says the parking garage at City Hall will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
On weekends, visitors entering City Hall from the parking garage by elevator are required to use the elevators on the Laurier Avenue West side of the building.