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Legislative Assembly Office: The Visitor, Ceremonial and Security Services Branch

The Sergeant-at-Arms, Brian Hodgson, is the Director of the Legislative Assembly Office’s Visitor, Ceremonial and Security Services division. In this role, he manages the Legislative Assembly’s visitors’ services function, provides security services to the Legislative Assembly, and plans and executes the Legislative Assembly’s ceremonial functions.

More specifically, in his role as director of visitor services, the Sergeant-at-Arms oversees the:

• Management and operation of the Interpretive Centre and gift shop
• Tours of the Legislature Building, the Interpretive Centre and the grounds
• School-at-the-Legislature program for grade six students
• Production and provision of educational materials for schools and the public and orientation materials for MLAs
• Organization of photo sessions for MLAs and constituency groups
• Co-ordination of special events like Celebrate the Season at Christmas, Halloween-o-rama and Canada Day

The Sergeant-at-Arms’ role as Chief of the Legislative Assembly’s security services consists of administering security services within the Chamber, Galleries and lobbies, maintaining decorum and ensuring the safety and security of MLAs and all those within the precincts. He is the Speaker’s principal advisor on security matters and also provides advice on security to MLAs and constituency office staff. He co-ordinates the installation of constituency office alarm systems and liaises with the RCMP and municipal police forces, the Department of National Defence, the Department of Justice Protection Services and other intelligence and security organizations. The Sergeant-at-Arms administers the Precinct Pass Card system.

As the head of the Legislative Assembly’s ceremonial services, the Sergeant-at-Arms:

• Conceives, plans, coordinates and executes ceremonial events involving the Speaker and Legislative Assembly
• Advises the Speaker, MLAs and the LAO on matters of protocol
• Assumes responsibility for the care and custody of the Black Rod and the Mace
• Leads the Speaker’s procession into the Chamber on sitting day
• Advises on heraldry
• Escorts and announces His Honour the Lieutenant Governor to the Assembly when Royal Assent is done in the Chamber or on Throne Speech day
• Assumes responsibility for the furniture and fittings of the Chamber

In addition to these responsibilities, the Sergeant-at-Arms also:

• Manages the Assembly’s Page Programme
• Organizes the use of the Chamber and other services by model youth parliaments and outside organizations
• Makes arrangements concerning the media gallery, media and general access to the precincts
• Takes attendance of Members in the House
• Provides leadership internally and externally through organizations like the Canadian Association of Sergeants-at Arms

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