Canada Council Resources
Many of these resources are restricted to members. If you have questions or to join, contact info@thepbsa.org.
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PBSA in Action
Regulatory and legislative letters advocating for PBSA interests and responses to government organizations requesting PBSA input
News and Updates
Industry news to know about
Member Expertise
Volunteer-produced resources
Public Resources
Key web sites for those working in the industry, such as regulators (Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission, etc.)
PBSA Member Resources
Information to help PBSA members get the most from their membership
PBSA In Action
- October 24, 2022
- Canada GRC Submission
- Automatic Sequestering of Criminal Records
- August 10, 2022
- Canada Position Statements - August 2022
- Data Privacy & Security and Responsible Use of Criminal Records
- August 20, 2021
- Canada GRC Submission - Alberta Privacy Reform August 2021
- Canada GRC Submission - Alberta Privacy Reform August 2021
- August 3, 2021
- PBSA Canada Council Submission - Ontario Privacy Consultation
- PBSA Canada Council Submission - Ontario Privacy Consultation
- September 28, 2020
- Ontario Privacy Reform
- PBSA Canada Council's letter to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services regarding Reforming Privacy in Ontario's Private Sector
- September 24, 2020
- PBSA Canada Council Commentaires sur le Projet de loi no 64
- PBSA Canada Council Commentaires sur le Projet de loi no 64
- September 24, 2020
- PBSA Canada Council's Comments on Quebec's Bill 64
- English translation of the PBSA Canada Council's comments on Quebec's Bill 64
News and Updates
- May 17, 2022
- Canada Council: Quebec Privacy Reform (Bill 64): Highlights for Background Screeners
- Quebec's Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information, also known as Bill 64 (referred to here as the "Amending Law"), became law on September 22, 2021. It amends a number of laws, most notably the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (referred to here as the "Privacy Law"). Its provisions affecting private companies have a two-step implementation period, with the first set of changes taking effect on September 22, 2022, and the remainder taking effect on September 22, 2023. We have highlighted provisions that will take effect in 2022 and may impact the way PBSA members operate their businesses should they be subject to Quebec law, or if they have customers that are subject to Quebec law.
- May 10, 2022
- PBSA Canada Council: Government Relations Update on Bill 96
- PBSA Canada Council: Government Relations Update on Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec
- January 20, 2021
- PBSA Canada: Ontario Consumer Reporting Act Reform
- The PBSA Canada Council's Government Relations Committee submitted comments on the Ontario Consumer Reporting Act Reform.
- December 14, 2020
- PIPEDA Bill C-11 Summary
- The PBSA Canada Council Government Relations Committee has drafted on the recent changes proposed to PIPEDA under C-11.
Member Expertise
- May 22, 2023
- Criminal Checks in Canada - Global Learning Center
- Track: International | Presenters: Rhonda Fairweather, First Advantage Canada; Michelle Leblond, PlusOne Solutions | This program explores criminal checks in Canada and the laws surrounding them.
- May 22, 2023
- Criminal Checks in Canada - Handout - Global Learning Center
- Handout for Criminal Checks in Canada.
- January 30, 2023
- PBSA Global Vocabulary
- This document describes the common terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used in the background screening industry.
- July 16, 2021
- PBSA Canada: Policy Considerations for Background Screening Service Selection
- The PBSA Canada Council has created a resource for members and their end users in Canada to refer to when creating or updating their screening programs. The document highlights considerations when building a background screening policy, determining which searches to include in a screening program and considerations when evaluating results, specifically adverse information.
- August 6, 2020
- Credit History Searches Canada - Global Learning Center
- Track: International | Presenter: Lia Chan, First Advantage | This program explores the various different Credit History Searches in Canada.
- August 6, 2020
- Credit History Searches Canada - Handout - Global Learning Center
- Handout for Global Learning Center: Credit History Searches in Canada
- June 5, 2020
- Driver Checks Canada - Global Learning Center
- Track: International | Presenter: Lia Chan, First Advantage | This program explores Driver Checks in Canada and the laws surrounding them.
- June 5, 2020
- Driver Checks Canada - Handout - Global Learning Center
- Handout for Global Learning Center: Driver Checks Canada
- January 23, 2020
- Use of the Driver's Licence Number in Background Checking (Canada)
- Practical Guidance for Use of the Driver's Licence Number in Background Checking in Canada.
- February 24, 2019
- Use of the Social Insurance Number in the Employment Screening Industry (Canada)
- Practical guidance for using Social Insurance Number in Canada
- April 11, 2018
- Verifications & References in Canada - Global Learning Center
- Track: International | Presenter: Rhonda Fairweather, First Advantage | This program explores verifications in Canada and the laws surrounding them. | This webinar sponsored by PreemploymentDirectory.com
- April 11, 2018
- Verifications & References in Canada - Handout - Global Learning Center
- Handout for Verifications & References in Canada.
- September 25, 2015
- Canada Chapter Useful Links and Resources
- Canada Chapter links
Public Resources
Federal Laws
- May 16, 2023
- Canadian Human Rights Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-6)
- Canadian Human Rights Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-6)
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)
- Criminal Code
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal Records Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-47)
- Criminal Records Act
- May 16, 2023
- Identification of Criminals Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. I-1)
- Identification of Criminals Act
- May 16, 2023
- Youth Criminal Justice Act (S.C. 2002, c. 1)
- Youth Criminal Justice Act
Criminal Record Checks
- May 18, 2023
- PBSA Canada Info Sheet 2023 Vulnerable Sector Verification
- educational resource for members, end users and the greater community related to one specific type of criminal record check which is available in Canada ? the Vulnerable Sector Verification (VSV). This search is often misapplied to situations and many are not sufficiently aware of the process, requirements and intended use of the search so an Info Sheet approach was taken to provide that information
- May 16, 2023
- British Columbia Criminal Records Review Program
- Criminal Record Check BC
- May 16, 2023
- Canada Criminal Record Checks Fact Sheet
- Canada Criminal Record Checks Fact Sheet
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal record checks
- A criminal record check will determine if you have been charged or convicted of a crime. If a name-based criminal record check does not provide a definite way of confirming your identity, you may be asked to provide fingerprints. The use of fingerprints is the most accurate way to confirm a person's identity. They ensure that individuals cannot evade their criminal past, and protect individuals from being falsely associated with a criminal record that is not theirs.
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal records
- The RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) maintains the national database of criminal records in Canada. Local police and other authorities across Canada contact CCRTIS to check the fingerprint records of people who have been charged or convicted of a crime. The database is also used for civil (non-criminal) purposes, specifically to confirm a person's identity in criminal record checks.
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal Records Act
- Criminal Records Act
- May 16, 2023
- Criminal Records Regulations
- Criminal Records Regulations
- May 16, 2023
- Dissemination of Criminal Record Information policy
- Dissemination of Criminal Record Information policy
- May 16, 2023
- Framework for VS Checks
- The RCMP's policies and practices for VS checks
- May 16, 2023
- INVESTIGATION REPORT F12-03
- USE OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS: GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
- May 16, 2023
- INVESTIGATION REPORT F14-01
- USE OF POLICE INFORMATION CHECKS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
- May 16, 2023
- Managing your criminal record
- Managing your adult criminal record
- May 16, 2023
- RCMP ask employers to know when and when NOT to ask for a Vulnerable Sector Check
- Record checks for employees has become an increasingly popular requirement and RCMP are asking that employers review their policies to ensure that Vulnerable Sector (VS) checks are only required when necessary. Unfortunately, many managers and employers ...
- May 16, 2023
- Services canadiens d'identification criminelle en temps r�el
- Services canadiens d'identification criminelle en temps r�el
- May 16, 2023
- Steps for getting a certified criminal record check
- From outside Canada To submit fingerprints to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) from outside of Canada:...
- May 16, 2023
- Types of criminal background checks
- Name-based criminal record checks and Certified criminal record checks
RCMP
- May 16, 2023
- Accreditation of private fingerprinting companies
- Accreditation of private fingerprinting companies
- May 16, 2023
- Private fingerprinting companies accredited by the RCMP
- Private fingerprinting companies accredited by the RCMP
- May 16, 2023
- Steps for getting a certified criminal record check
- rom outside Canada To submit fingerprints to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) from outside of Canada:...
- May 16, 2023
- Types of criminal background checks
- Types of criminal background checks
Privacy
- May 16, 2023
- 10 Privacy Tips for Businesses - Canada
- 10 Privacy Tips for Businesses - Canada
- May 16, 2023
- 10 Tips for a Better Online Privacy Policy and Improved Privacy Practice Transparency - Canada
- Every organization subject to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is required to make information available to individuals about its personal information management policies and practices. A good privacy policy is one of the important ways in which an organization can meet this obligation, foster public trust and strengthen customer loyalty.
- May 16, 2023
- Guidance on Inappropriate Data Practices: Interpretation and Application of Subsection 5(3)
- Guidance on Inappropriate Data Practices: Interpretation and Application of Subsection 5(3)
- May 16, 2023
- Guide to BC's PIPA for Business and Organizations | oipc.bc.ca
- Guide to BC's PIPA for Business and Organizations | oipc.bc.ca
- May 16, 2023
- Health Cards & Health Numbers
- The Personal Health Information Protection Act
- May 16, 2023
- Investigation and Audit Reports ? Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC (oipc.bc.ca)
- Investigation and Audit Reports ? Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC (oipc.bc.ca)
- May 16, 2023
- OPC - Privacy Guide for Business
- What Canadian businesses need to know to comply with federal privacy law
- May 16, 2023
- P-39.1 - Loi sur la protection des renseignements personnels dans le secteur priv� (gouv.qc.ca)
- P-39.1 - Loi sur la protection des renseignements personnels dans le secteur priv� (gouv.qc.ca)
- May 16, 2023
- Personal Information Protection Act | Alberta.ca
- Personal Information Protection Act | Alberta.ca
- May 16, 2023
- Personal Information Protection Act | gov.bc.ca
- Personal Information Protection Act | gov.bc.ca
- May 16, 2023
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (justice.gc.ca)
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (justice.gc.ca)
- May 16, 2023
- The PBC refuses to process requests for record suspension information
- Complaint under the Privacy Act (the Act)
Consent
- May 16, 2023
- Guidelines for Obtaining Meaningful Consent
- Guidelines for Obtaining Meaningful Consent
- May 16, 2023
- Guidelines for Online Consent | oipc.bc.ca
- Guidelines for Online Consent | oipc.bc.ca
- May 16, 2023
- Obtain Meaningful Consent - Canada
- Organizations must generally obtain meaningful consent for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
Other Screening Resources
- May 16, 2023
- Checking References: Guidelines for Public Bodies | oipc.bc.ca
- Checking References: Guidelines for Public Bodies
- May 16, 2023
- Conducting Social Media Background Checks | oipc.bc.ca
- Conducting Social Media Background Checks | oipc.bc.ca
- May 16, 2023
- Guidance Documents: Private Sector Landlord and Tenants | oipc.bc.ca
- PRIVATE SECTOR LANDLORD AND TENANTS
- May 16, 2023
- Guideline E-17 - Background Checks on Directors and Senior Management of (osfi-bsif.gc.ca)
- Background Checks on Directors and Senior Management of FREs
- May 16, 2023
- Requesting protected motor vehicle data | Alberta.ca
- You can search for motor vehicle information under specific circumstances.
- May 16, 2023
- The Screening Handbook 2012 Edition
- The Screening Handbook 2012 Edition
PBSA Member Resources
- July 3, 2018
- Program Catalog - Global Learning Center
- This provides a listing of programs available in the PBSA Global Learning Center. Instructions for accessing the Global Learning Center and searching by country are also included.
- April 2, 2022
- Volunteer Leader Service Agreement
- Agreement to provide time, expertise and resources to PBSA and uphold the Mission and Purpose of the Association and the PBSA Global Advisory Council.
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Disclaimer: PBSA materials are often provided by industry subject matter experts. The information and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only and are based on current practice, industry related knowledge and business expertise. The practices may not have been independently vetted and are neither approved nor endorsed by PBSA.