Directive on Security Screening

Ensures that security screening in the Government of Canada is conducted in a way that is effective, rigorous, consistent and fair, and enables greater transferability of security screening between departments.
Date modified: 2025-01-07

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Appendix C: Mandatory Procedures for Security Screening Activities

C.1 Effective date

  • C.1.1These procedures take effect on January 6, 2025.

C.2 Procedures

  • C.2.1These procedures provide details on the requirements set out in subsections A.2.2.2.3, A.2.2.3, A.2.2.8.2 and A.2.2.9 of the Standard on Security Screening Position Analysis and Model.
  • C.2.2Mandatory procedures are as follows:
    • C.2.2.1Conduct security screening activities in accordance with Annex A1 and Annex A3 of Appendix A: Standard on Security Screening Position Analysis and Model as identified below:
      • C.2.2.1.1Verify identity before undertaking any subsequent security screening activities; and
      • C.2.2.1.2Conduct all subsequent security screening activities in relation to the individual;

      Identity verification practices

      Background verification practices

      • C.2.2.1.4Verify the accuracy of the background information provided by the individual through a risk-based approach:
        • C.2.2.1.4.1Where it is not possible to verify all the required years of background information, consider:
        • C.2.2.1.4.2Account for individuals who have lived outside of Canada for longer than six months consecutively within the time period required by the security status or clearance in the following ways:
          1. A letter of reference or referral from a foreign embassy or mission in Canada;
          2. A letter of reference or referral from a Canadian embassy or mission in the country or countries in which the individual resided;
          3. A letter of reference from a foreign educational institution or university;
          4. A letter or police clearance certificate from a law enforcement agency of jurisdiction in the country in which the individual resided;
          5. A credit summary from an established foreign financial institution;
          6. Employment or assignment with a Government of Canada department or agency or with the Canadian Armed Forces outside Canada;
          7. Information from counterpart security screening organizations in countries with which Canada has entered into bilateral arrangements for the exchange of security screening information; or
          8. Alternate sources of information that are sufficient to account for their activities and the associated risk;
          • C.2.2.1.4.2.1Assess activities accounted for in one or more of these ways in consideration of the adequacy and reliability of the source;

      Educational and professional credential verification

      • C.2.2.1.5Verify relevant educational and professional credentials and designations;

      Personal and professional reference checks

      • C.2.2.1.6Verify information about the individual from persons who know or who are in a position to take notice of the individual;

      Financial inquiry

      • C.2.2.1.7Obtain a full consumer credit report from a credit reporting agency that:
        • C.2.2.1.7.1Includes information on the credit history, liens, judgments or bankruptcy of the individual; and
        • C.2.2.1.7.2Excludes and does not negatively affect the credit score of the individual;
      • C.2.2.1.8Where a reliable credit report from a credit reporting agency cannot be obtained, develop and administer a financial assessment questionnaire for individuals; and
      • C.2.2.1.9Apply the results of the financial inquiry to assess whether an individual poses a security risk on the basis of financial pressure or a history of poor financial responsibility;

      Criminal records check

      • C.2.2.1.10Obtain a criminal record check against the RCMP’s National Repository of Criminal Records to confirm the involvement of the individual in criminal activity;
      • C.2.2.1.11Require individuals who have lived outside of Canada for longer than six months consecutively within the time period required by the security status or clearance to:
        • C.2.2.1.11.1 Obtain a police clearance certificate or equivalent documentation that provides:
          1. A summary of an individual’s criminal record; or
          2. A declaration of the absence of any criminal record;
        • C.2.2.1.11.2 Where a country of residence:
          1. Does not provide police clearance certificates or equivalent documentation; or
          2. Obtaining the documentation presents undue risk to the individual, consider:
          • C.2.2.1.11.2.1 Alternate sources of information, sufficient to:
            • C.2.2.1.11.2.1.1   Confirm the involvement or absence thereof, of the individual in criminal activity; and
            • C.2.2.1.11.2.1.2   Assess the risk associated with past criminal convictions;
      • C.2.2.1.12Apply the results of criminal record checks and out-of-country documentation to assess the risk associated with past criminal convictions.

      CSIS security assessment

      • C.2.2.1.13Obtain a CSIS security assessment to:
        • C.2.2.1.13.1 Determine whether there is sufficient information available upon which to base a security screening decision; and
        • C.2.2.1.13.2 Assess, where sufficient information is available, whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the individual has engaged, is engaged or may engage in activities that constitute a “threat to the security of Canada,” as defined in section 2 of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act;

      Internet inquiry

      • C.2.2.1.14Review publicly available personal information on the Internet to:
        • C.2.2.1.14.1 Verify accuracy and integrity of the background information provided by the individual; and
        • C.2.2.1.14.2 Identify potential adverse information based on behaviours, conduct, associations, judgment or features of character;
      • C.2.2.1.15Take reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of information obtained from the Internet inquiry;

      Law enforcement records check

      • C.2.2.1.16Obtain additional RCMP and jurisdictional police agency records to verify:
        • C.2.2.1.16.1 Outstanding warrants or prohibitions; and
        • C.2.2.1.16.2 Whether an individual has any associations with criminality or organized crime;

      Security questionnaire or security interview

      • C.2.2.1.17Develop and conduct a security questionnaire or a security interview that solicits information to:
        • C.2.2.1.17.1 Identify and validate adverse information;
        • C.2.2.1.17.2 Provide the individual an opportunity to explainadverse information; and
        • C.2.2.1.17.3 Assess security risk on the basis of ideology, conduct, associations, judgment, features of character and vulnerability to coercion;

      Polygraph examination

      • C.2.2.1.18Conduct a polygraph:
        • C.2.2.1.18.1 For positions that require an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance; or
          • C.2.2.1.18.1.1 Where necessary to comply with international information-sharing agreements entered into by the Government of Canada; and
        • C.2.2.1.18.2 To corroborate the results of security screening activities, including the absence of results;

      Canadian citizenship verification

      • C.2.2.1.19Verify Canadian citizenship for a Top Secret or Enhanced Top Secret security clearance:
        • C.2.2.1.19.1 In accordance with documents prescribed by the Government of Canada.

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