Accommodation Measures Relating to Security Screening

Resumption of Fingerprinting Activities:

When the COVID-19 crisis started, the Personnel Security Program had to use a different approach in order to ensure business continuity. Now that the situation has stabilized, many establishments resume operations, including fingerprinting services.

As of Monday, June 22, 2020, fingerprinting officially resumed and is mandatory as part of the criminal record check required within the security screening process.

Note that some locations remain at higher risk and access to services may be limited. Please contact your Regional Security Office for further information or to find out which services are available in your area.

Digitized Security Forms:

The Personnel Security Program continues to accept scanned security screening forms. Therefore, please ensure the following:

• Scanned security documents must contain the applicant's handwritten initials and signature.
• Documents should be scanned with good resolution or photographed up close with good lighting to ensure information is clearly legible.
• When submitting your request, please use the following naming convention in the email subject line: [Type] - [Level] - LAST NAME, First Name_Date of birth
  • [Type] = New, Update, Upgrade
  • EX: New – Secret – DOE, John_1980-01-01
• Attachments enclosed in your email should contain the following: LAST NAME, First Name_Date of birth.

Applicant:

When the applicant is unable to print the security documents in order to provide handwritten initials and signature, the following Applicant Statement may be provided. (Entrust signature is required)

Reliability Status: Applicant Statement – Consent and Verification (PDF, 564 KB) 

Secret and Top Secret Clearance: Applicant Statement – Consent and Verification  (PDF, 568 KB)

When the applicant does not have access to Entrust signature, the applicant or the hiring manager may contact the Regional Security Office for alternate options.

Manager:

When the hiring manager is unable to provide handwritten initials in section C, line 1 of the security document, the following Manager Statement may be provided:  Déclaration du gestionnaire_Manager Statement (PDF, 46O KB).

Please submit security screening requests to the Regional Security Office where the employee is located. When the request is for an external candidate, please submit according to the hiring manager's location.

Note that requests are processed based on priority and according to the type of request. In your email submission, please specify for which program the request is related to (Benefits Delivery Services, SIN Program, Students, etc.) to ensure the Regional Security Office properly screens the requests.

Delay in processing of Secret Clearances:

Due to COVID-19 circumstances, the central agency responsible for the loyalty to Canada assessment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has limited resources and is currently experiencing unusual delays. Please note that processing times are beyond our control and they do not accept requests for priority processing.

Should you require more information or guidance about these accommodation measures, please contact your Regional Security Office.