Ontario Public Service Contractor Security Screening (PDF)

The Ontario Public Service
(OPS) has implemented
a policy which requires
contractors doing business
with the government
of Ontario to undergo
security screening checks.
Individuals who will be
performing work for
the OPS, on behalf of a
contractor, will be required
to participate in a screening
check and will require a
security clearance before
work can be undertaken.
*The Screening Check Process is administered by
the Security Services and Contingency Planning
Branch (SSCPB) of the Ministry of Government
Services. All information collected by the SSCPB as
part of the screening process will be maintained by
the branch in confidence and will be used for the
purpose of assigning you a screening clearance.
Your screening clearance status will be disclosed to
your employer and the government of Ontario after
the SSCPB conducts its review.
Questions about the contractor
security screening component of
the procurement process can be
directed to your ministry contact.
Notice of Collection
Personnel information provided in accordance
with the security screening process will be
collected and used by the SSCPB for the purpose
of conducting and assigning an Ontario Public
Service contractor security screening clearance.
The collection of personal information is
authorized by the Contractor Security Screening
Operating Policy, issued by the Management
Board of Cabinet under section 3 of the
Management Board of Cabinet Act, RSO 1990,
Chapter M-1. Questions about the collection of
personal information under this program may be
directed to the Manager of Contractor Securtiy
Screening at:
Security Services & Contingency Planning Branch
900 Bay Street,
Macdonald Block, 2nd Floor, Room M2-49
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Y4
or AskSSCPB@ontario.ca
0r (416) 325-9400
Ontario
Public
Service
Contractor
Security
Screening

The Screening Check Process has a number of steps.
They are as follows:
1. You will be asked to provide documentation to verify
your identity. In this case, a representative from
your organization will review two pieces of official
documentation that confirm your name, date of
birth and address (typically done by presenting
picture ID). This information will be provided to the
Security Services and Contingency Planning Branch
(SSCPB). Confirmation of your identity is necessary
to undertake a criminal records check (described
below).
2. If your work for the OPS requires a professional
designation, accreditation or other qualifications, a
representative from your company will also verify
this information and confirm to the SSCPB.
3. The next step involves a criminal records check.
With your written consent, the SSCPB will obtain,
through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), records
about you maintained by the RCMP that relate to
the offence provisions of federal statutes (e.g. the
Criminal Code of Canada). Where a record check
reveals criminal record (conviction) information,
the RCMP requires verification of idenitity through
fingerprint comparison before the information
can be released. Other relevant checks may be
conducted as required e.g. Driver History.
A criminal records check is conducted by the SSCPB
in order to assign you a screening clearance. In this
regard, the SSCPB will be collecting and reviewing
information that may exist about you regarding
previous criminal convictions, findings of guilt that
have resulted in absolute or conditional discharges,
as well as any outstanding criminal charges and
related information (e.g. an arrest warrant). The
information SSCPB will be collecting is described in
greater detail in the consent form you will be asked
to review and sign before the criminal records check
is started.
4. In addition, you will be asked to make a declaration
about previous criminal convictions and outstanding
charges on the police records check consent form.
Information you supply will be used by the SSCPB
to compare against the results of the police records
check. You may be given an opportunity by the
SSCPB to explain any discrepancies between your
declaration and the criminal records check before a
screening clearance decision is made.
5. The written consent and declaration you provide is
to be sent to your organization representative in a
sealed envelope marked confidential. The sealed
envelope you provide will be opened only by an
authorized SSCPB security representative.
6. Under the screening policy, written disclosure to
SSCPB within five business days is required if any
charges are laid against you subsequent to the last
security screening check.
7. All personal information obtained and collected
by SSCPB will be protected in compliance with the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Act.