Last updated: March 27, 2026
You're paying $50-70/month for alarm monitoring you barely use. Customer service put you on hold for 40 minutes. You want out. This guide has the phone numbers, fees, and fine print for every major alarm company in Canada.
In This Guide
Before You Cancel: The Checklist
- Find your contract end date. Most contracts are 3-5 years. If you're past the end date, you can cancel with no fee. A lot of people are out of contract and don't realize it
- Calculate your early termination fee. Usually it's remaining months x your monthly rate. Do the math before you call
- Check what you own vs. lease. "Free equipment" usually means the company still owns it. But they almost never collect it. Your wiring and sensors are yours regardless
- Don't cancel until your new provider is live. A good alarm takeover company coordinates the timing so you have zero downtime
Pro tip: Call your current provider and ask for a copy of your contract. They're legally required to provide it. Get your contract end date and cancellation fee in writing. Don't rely on what the phone rep tells you.
How to Cancel ADT / TELUS Security
ADT / TELUS
1-888-222-3715- TELUS bought ADT Canada in 2019. Same company, same process
- 30 days written notice required
- Standard contracts: 3 years
- Most systems use DSC or Honeywell panels (easy to take over)
- Watch out: TELUS SmartHome (newer touchscreen hubs) is proprietary. Wiring is still reusable
How to Cancel Vivint
Vivint
1-800-216-5232- Contracts: 42-60 months (3.5-5 years)
- Cancellation fee = remaining balance on equipment financing (not monthly rate)
- You "own" the equipment, but it only works with Vivint
- Proprietary panels. You'll need new equipment, but your wiring is reusable
- Watch out: Aggressive retention team. Just stay firm
How to Cancel Reliance Protectron
Reliance Protectron
1-866-735-4262- Contracts: 3-5 years
- Must cancel IN WRITING before the auto-renewal date or you're locked in again
- Send via certified mail or email with read receipt
- Most systems use DSC panels (easy takeover)
How to Cancel Alarm Guard
Alarm Guard
- Contracts: 3-5 years (often signed via door-to-door sales)
- Written cancellation required. Keep copies of everything
- Known for "not receiving" cancellation requests. Get a paper trail
- Most systems use DSC panels (straightforward takeover)
- We're happy to help you run the numbers on whether to pay the fee or wait
How to Cancel Bell Smart Home / AlarmForce
Bell Smart Home
1-866-841-2905- Bell absorbed AlarmForce in 2018
- Security is often bundled with internet/TV. Check how cancelling affects your bundle pricing
- Proprietary equipment. New panel needed, but wiring is reusable
How to Cancel Rogers Smart Home
Rogers Smart Home
1-888-764-3771- Security is bundled with internet/TV. Check how cancelling affects bundle pricing
- Proprietary equipment. New panel needed, but wiring is reusable
How to Cancel Brinks Home Security
Brinks Home Security
1-800-447-9239- Brinks absorbed Monitronics/MONI. Your account may have been transferred without your input
- If your contract was transferred, review the terms. Original conditions should still apply
- Most systems use DSC or 2GIG panels (easy takeover)
What Happens to Your Equipment?
| Your Provider | Equipment Type | Can It Be Taken Over? |
|---|---|---|
| ADT (legacy) | DSC / Honeywell | Easy Takeover |
| Reliance Protectron | DSC / Honeywell | Easy Takeover |
| Brinks (Monitronics) | DSC / 2GIG | Easy Takeover |
| Alarm Guard | DSC / Mixed | Usually Yes |
| TELUS SmartHome | Proprietary | New Panel, Keep Wiring |
| Vivint | Proprietary | New Panel, Keep Wiring |
| Bell / AlarmForce | Proprietary | New Panel, Keep Wiring |
| Rogers Smart Home | Proprietary | New Panel, Keep Wiring |
Easy Takeover means a technician reprograms your existing panel and connects it to a new monitoring centre. Sensors, keypads, wiring all stay.
New Panel, Keep Wiring means the panel is locked to the original provider. But all the wiring, door contacts, motion sensors, and window sensors get reused. A technician installs a new open-standard panel (like a DSC Neo) on those same wires. Way cheaper than starting from scratch.
Not sure what equipment you have? Snap a photo of your alarm keypad and text or email it to us. We can usually tell you within minutes whether it's compatible with a takeover. Check out our alarm system takeover page for a full breakdown of how it works.
Bottom line: If your provider uses DSC, Honeywell, or 2GIG panels, a takeover is fast and cheap. If they use proprietary gear (Vivint, Bell, Rogers, TELUS SmartHome), you'll need a new panel but your wiring saves you hundreds. Either way, you're not starting from scratch.
What to Do Next
Most people who switch from a big national provider to local monitoring save $15-30/month. That's $180-360/year. Over five years, that's $900-1,800 back in your pocket. Plus no surprise annual price increases, no contract lock-in, and ULC-certified monitoring that qualifies you for 5-20% off your home insurance.
We're Force Security. We've been doing this since 1988. Canadian-owned, local technicians, serving Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Toronto, and the surrounding areas. No multi-year contracts. No call centres. The technician who installs your system is the same person who comes if you need service. We offer free takeover assessments so you know exactly what's compatible before committing to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to cancel ADT in Canada?
The fee is your remaining contract months multiplied by your monthly rate. If your contract has expired, there's no fee. You just need 30 days written notice. Call 1-888-222-3715 to get your exact number.
Can I keep my alarm equipment if I switch companies?
If you have a DSC or Honeywell panel (common with ADT, Reliance, Brinks, Alarm Guard), another company can reprogram it. If you have proprietary equipment from Vivint, Bell, or Rogers, the panel can't be reprogrammed, but a new provider can install open-standard equipment on your existing wiring. Either way, you save a lot.
How do I switch alarm companies without a gap in coverage?
Don't cancel your old provider until your new provider confirms your system is live. A good alarm takeover company handles this for you. They reprogram your panel (or install new equipment), test every sensor, and confirm the monitoring connection. Only then do you cancel the old service.
Is it worth paying a cancellation fee to switch?
Sometimes. If you're saving $25/month by switching, a $600 cancellation fee pays for itself in two years. But if your contract expires in a few months, just wait it out. Every situation is different. A good local security company will help you run the numbers honestly.
What alarm companies can take over my existing system in Canada?
Any qualified company that works with open-standard equipment (DSC, Honeywell, 2GIG) can take over your system. Look for ULC-certified monitoring, no long-term contracts, and a free assessment before committing. If you're in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Toronto, or the GTA, Force Security offers free takeover assessments.
Get a Free Takeover Assessment
Find out if your existing alarm system is compatible. No commitment. No contracts. Just a straight answer from a local company that's been doing this since 1988.
844-360-1234Available Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm
Related Services
Force Security serves Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and surrounding areas. View all service areas.