If a security guard witnesses a person commit an indictable offence on the property they are protecting, and the person attempts to flee, which section of the Criminal Code of Canada would permit the security guard to make an arrest?

Question: If a security guard witnesses a person commit an indictable offence on the property they are protecting, and the person attempts to flee, which section of the Criminal Code of Canada would permit the security guard to make an arrest?

Answer options: ✅ Section 494 (Arrest by a person who is not a peace officer).

• Section 27 (Protection of persons acting in aid of peace officer).
• Section 25 (Protection of persons administering and enforcing the law).
• Section 34 (Self-defence).

Correct answer: Section 494 (Arrest by a person who is not a peace officer).

Explanation: Section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada outlines the powers of arrest without warrant for individuals who are not peace officers. It permits a person to arrest anyone whom they find committing an indictable offence, or anyone who, on reasonable grounds, they believe has committed an indictable offence and is escaping from and freshly pursued by persons who have lawful authority to arrest that person.