Canada Council Resources
Many of these resources are restricted to members. If you have questions or to join, contact info@thepbsa.org.
Don't see what you're looking for? Visit the Resource Library for a full repository of resources.
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
- 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
- August 3, 2022
- PBSA Screening Industry Terms: Canada
- This document describes the common terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used in the background screening industry in Canada.
- 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.
- 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.
- March 30, 2016
- 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. | This webinar is sponsored by PreemploymentDirectory.com.
- March 30, 2016
- Criminal Checks in Canada - Handout - Global Learning Center
- Handout for Criminal Checks in Canada.
- September 25, 2015
- Canada Chapter Useful Links and Resources
- Canada Chapter links
Public Resources
- November 3, 2020
- OPC - Privacy Guide for Business
- Canada Council Resource - OPC - Privacy Guide for Business
- September 10, 2020
- 10 Privacy Tips for Businesses - Canada
- 10 Privacy Tips for Businesses specific to Canada.
- September 10, 2020
- 10 Tips for a Better Online Privacy Policy and Improved Privacy Practice Transparency - Canada
- 10 Tips for a Better Online Privacy Policy and Improved Privacy Practice Transparency - Canada
- September 10, 2020
- Obtain Meaningful Consent - Canada
- Obtain Meaningful Consent - Canada
- September 10, 2020
- Screening and the Canadian Human Rights Commission
- Screening and the Canadian Human Rights Commission
- May 30, 2018
- Guidance on Inappropriate Data Practices: Interpretation and Application of Subsection 5(3)
- The Guidance on inappropriate data practices: Interpretation and application of subsection 5(3) outlines prohibited data practices, according to PIPEDA and comes into effect July 1, 2018.
- May 30, 2018
- Guidelines for Obtaining Meaningful Consent
- The Guidelines for Obtaining Meaningful Consent are issued in concert with the Information and Privacy Commissioners in Alberta and British Columbia, who have legislation deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA and will be effective January 1, 2019. This delayed implementation is to ensure organizations have time to amend their practices, as necessary. The guidelines cover the principles for obtaining meaningful consent, which is a key requirement of privacy legislation in Canada and also includes a checklist of Must Do (legal obligations) and Should Do practices (best practices). The checklist can be found at https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/collecting-personal-information/consent/gl_omc_201805/#_checklist.
- July 27, 2016
- Canada Criminal Record Checks Fact Sheet
- Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services | Individuals may be required to obtain a criminal record check for employment, volunteer work or other civil screening processes. In order to complete these checks, a search may be conducted against various police databases, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Repository of Criminal Records. At present, searches of the National Repository of Criminal Records may be done either by name and date of birth, or fingerprints.
- July 27, 2016
- Services Canadiens D'identification Criminelle en Temps Reel
- Services canadiens d'identification criminelle en temps reel | Les gens doivent parfois obtenir une attestation de verification de casier judiciaire en vue d'un emploi ou de benevolat ou a d'autres fins civiles. Diverses bases de donnees policieres sont consultees, y compris le Repertoire national des casiers judiciaires de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC). Les recherches dans le Repertoire national peuvent etre effectuees a partir du nom et de la date de naissance ou a partir des empreintes digitales.
- November 30, 2015
- Health Cards & Health Numbers
- The Personal Health Information Protection Act
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, 2016
- Chapter Volunteer Leader Service Agreement
- Agreement to provide time, expertise and resources to NAPBS and uphold the Mission and Purpose of the association and the NAPBS Global Advisory Council
ALL MATERIALS ARE COPYRIGHT OF THE AUTHORS AND/OR PBSA AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN MEMBER EDUCATION WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PBSA. IN ADDITION, THE MATERIALS, MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION.
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.