Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has asked the RCMP to assess whether he will need a security detail after someone broke into his Ottawa home on Saturday and left a threatening note.

Dominic Leblanc, house leader of the Liberal Party, told CBC News that the RCMP are carrying out a "comprehensive" risk and threat assessment of Trudeau and his family's security.

Trudeau's home in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe neighbourhood was broken into overnight Saturday while his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, and their three young children — Xavier James, Ella-Grace and Hadrien — were asleep.

Trudeau was in Winnipeg before travelling to Montreal on Saturday for the city’s Gay Pride festivities.

A threatening letter was left atop several large kitchen knives arranged in a row on the kitchen floor, according to multiple sources.

According to a source close to the investigation, the letter said the items could have been taken and that the family should consider locking their doors.

'A violation of the sanctity of one's home is an experience which no Canadian family should have to face. - Office of Public Safety Minister Steve Blaney

Trudeau's family left to meet him in Montreal for safety reasons. Trudeau told media his family was shaken by the break-in.

"Obviously we're extremely troubled by this," he said on Saturday.​

"Everybody's safe, but the idea of someone getting into the house while my family was sleeping, while I'm away working is very distressing, to say the least."

Nobody was hurt.

Who does the RCMP protect?

According to the RCMP, it is "mandated at all times, during both private and official functions, for the personal protection of the Governor General of Canada, the prime minister, their families and residences."

The RCMP says it is "responsible for the safety" of Supreme Court and Federal Court judges, as well as federal cabinet ministers. Its protective policing unit also provides security for Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall and the Supreme Court of Canada.

However, its website does not mention mandated protection for any additional politicians.

Opposition leader Tom Mulcair does not have a security detail, though his residence, Stornoway, is covered by the RCMP.

On Monday morning, the office of Public Safety Minister Steve Blaney issued a statement:

"A violation of the sanctity of one's home is an experience which no Canadian family should have to face," said Jason Tamming, a spokesman for Blaney.

"This matter is being currently dealt with by the RCMP which has the operational expertise when it comes to ensuring the security of political leaders."