Tougher rules in place for Nova Scotia bouncers and bar security

Nova Scotia has introduced new rules for bouncers and bar security.

Starting in June, bouncers and bar security staff in Nova Scotia will be working under stricter rules.

They will now be required to pass criminal background checks and complete training in responsible alcohol service and security practices.

Scott Sawyer, whose son Ryan died after an incident involving security staff in December 2022 at the now shuttered Halifax Alehouse, said the new rules are a step in the right direction, but don’t go far enough.

“I applaud them for doing what needed to be done,” said Sawyer. “It had to be done considering the tragedies that are going on in, especially around the Halifax area in the bars and restaurants.”

Ryan was 31 years old at the time and died after being placed in chokehold.

Sawyer believes if these new rules were in place years ago, it might have prevented his son’s tragedy.

“I think there’s a better percentage Ryan would be alive today,” said Sawyer.

Alexander Levy was convicted of manslaughter and criminal negligence in the death of Ryan Sawyer and sentenced to four years in custody following the trial last November.

Levy, who was a bouncer at the Alehouse, is currently appealing the conviction.

The province said these new rules were developed in response to incidents involving bar security employees and patrons.

The new rules require bar security staff to complete criminal record checks and submit them to their employers, while completing both an alcohol handling safety course and security training.

Nova Scotia is adding financial penalties, including a fine ranging from $500-to-$3,000 for first offences and $2,000-to-$10,000 for subsequent offences.

“If your staff are going to be acting as agents of the property, enforcing rules and so on and so forth, it would only make sense that they would have criminal background checks done,” said Kent MacDonald, a security expert and owner of Shadow Security.

Sawyer wants the province to go further with the rule and is calling for bar security oversight to be moved from Service Nova Scotia to the Department of Justice, saying it would bring greater oversight and stronger accountability.

And he’d like to see tougher financial penalties for businesses that fail to follow the rules.

“I think $10K is a good place to start,” said Sawyer.

The province said the industry was well aware of these rules changes and expects businesses to be in compliance, but says there will be a period of time for education and compliance with “every expectation that training will be complete as soon as it’s possible,” said a spokesperson with Service Nova Scotia.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page