**Before completing the Security Screening application, please read the following information carefully.**

 

Introduction

The purpose of the Security Screening process is to assess the reliability, loyalty, and reliability as it relates to loyalty, of all applicants and contractors, and identify any potential security concerns as defined in Treasury Board’s Policy on Government Security (PGS) and the Standard on Security Screening (SSS). Copies of these documents can be found on the Treasury Board Secretariat website.

Policy on Government Security (www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=16578&section=text)

Standard on Security Screening (www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28115)  

Voluntary Process

Your decision to participate in the security screening process is voluntary. However, you must complete the security assessment process to obtain reliability status and a top secret security clearance in order to be engaged for work with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

All security assessments related to top secret security clearance must determine whether the individual may pose a security risk on the basis of ideology, conduct, associations, features of character, personal activities, including finances, involvement with illegal drugs, alcohol use, associations, use of computers and technology, online presence, and loyalty to Canada.

You may withdraw from, or stop the process at any time. You may decline to provide answers to any question posed, however, such a refusal may adversely impact your eligibility to obtain reliability status, or a security clearance at CSIS.

Security screening involves the collection of personal information from individuals, with their informed consent, and information from law enforcement and intelligence sources and other sources and methods to assess an individual’s reliability and loyalty to Canada.

The information obtained for the purpose of providing a security screening assessment may also be used in the context of updating, or reviewing for cause, the reliability status, security clearance or site access, all of which may lead to a re-assessment of the applicable type of security screening. Information collected by the government institution, and information gathered from the requisite checks and/or investigation, may be used to support decisions, which may lead to discipline and/or termination of employment or contractual agreements.

There are three different levels of security screening:

  1. Screening for reliability status assesses an individual’s honesty and reliability.
  2. Screening for a secret or top secret security clearance assesses an individual’s loyalty to Canada and their reliability as it relates to that loyalty.
  3. (NOTE: Reliability status is the basic screening requirement and all individuals must qualify for reliability status prior to being granted a security clearance.)

In all cases, individuals must be officially granted the required reliability status and secret security clearance or top secret security clearance before they are assigned duties or assigned to a position, and/or before they are granted access to sensitive information, assets or facilities.

Potential Adverse Factors

Please be advised that the following is a partial list of potential adverse factors which may result in a negative security assessment or (if applicable) the disclosure of information to law enforcement in accordance with s. 19 of the CSIS Act:

  • Drug Involvement – Ongoing use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs (CSIS has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use for all employees and contractors).
  • Serious criminal conduct or close association with persons involved in criminal activity (for example, murder, robbery, arson, child pornography (accessing, possessing, distribution of)).
  • Serious ongoing financial difficulties that creates a vulnerability to coercion or compromise to resolve debt.
  • Serious unresolved issues before a Criminal or Civil court (outstanding criminal charges such as possession of narcotics, assault, robbery, etc.).
  • Undisclosed misconduct or negligence in previous employment.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption which may impair the ability to protect sensitive information or represent a risk to the personal safety of others.
  • Any concealed personal activity which could be used as a source of coercion, compromise or blackmail.

It is understood that some people are not comfortable talking about their personal life to an interviewer, do not wish to disclose details concerning their personal or family finances, or do not wish to undergo a polygraph examination (required for top secret clearance only). 

Therefore:

If you feel for any reason that;  

  • you do not meet the requirements to be granted a reliability status and/or security clearance,
  • you would not be willing or able to provide the required documentation to support your application, or
  • any of the above examples of potential adverse factors may apply to you, and you do not wish to explain, discuss or provide details during a subject interview or a polygraph examination,

you may choose not to complete the required forms, and consequently, to voluntarily withdraw your candidacy by contacting Human Resources Services.