Ontario to ease law to give film stars their paid muscle

The Ontario government is quietly proposing bending the rules for visiting film and TV celebrities by allowing them to use their own bodyguards in the province, even if they’re not accredited to work in Ontario.

The Canadian Press has learned that the amendment is set to take effect Sept. 2 — just a few days before the star-studded Toronto International Film Festival begins.

The exemption would apply to bodyguards from outside Ontario who are employed by “individuals in the recorded video and audio-visual production industry.”

They need a valid licence from another jurisdiction, but don’t need to meet Ontario standards.

Some are accusing the government of giving preferential treatment to Hollywood stars, while holding others to the letter of the law.

Ontario Provincial Police laid 142 charges for violating the province’s security regulations during the International Indian Film Association Awards in Toronto — an event the governing Liberals attended and heavily promoted.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today