To: All CBSA employees
Subject: Change to the Personnel Security Screening Process
On June 23, 2008, the implementation of mandatory credit checks was announced for all security screening reviews for persons occupying a position in the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Since July 1, 2008, credit checks have been conducted for all persons recruited from outside the Agency.
The CBSA consulted with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat regarding the implementation of this requirement for existing staff currently holding a Reliability Status. (Screening reviews for Secret and Top Secret security clearances already include credit checks.)
As a result of these consultations, a decision was made to exempt existing indeterminate CBSA employees who currently hold a Reliability Status from the credit check process for a five-year grandfathering period. Unions were briefed regarding this exemption in May 2009.
The grandfathering period commenced on July 1, 2009, and will end on June 30, 2014. Therefore, as of July 1, 2014, all CBSA employees will be subject to credit checks as part of the screening process for Reliability Status.
During the five-year period, should employees leave their substantive position permanently (for a promotion or a deployment), or have the security designation of their substantive position changed, they will be subject to a credit check.
This grandfathering clause does not apply to the following types of employees:
- external recruits;
- new and existing students, casual workers, seasonal and determinate (term) employees;
- persons coming from other government departments by means of a secondment or a deployment; and
- persons employed via an external service arrangement such as consultants, contractors, subcontractors and temporary workers from personnel agencies.
As such, these employees will continue to be subject to credit checks for Reliability Status.
In support of the grandfathering clause, the original credit check tools have been updated. Please refer to the updated Security and Professional Standards Bulletin 2008-PS-01 (formerly known as the Corporate Security Bulletin 2008-PS-01) and the Question and Answer document for further information. The Bulletin will be posted on Atlas as an addendum to the current CBSA Security Policies.
I would like to remind you that having a valid security clearance at the level required for the position you occupy is a condition of employment under the Public Service Employment Act and a requirement under the Government Security Policy. A person cannot be appointed, assigned or contracted until a proper Reliability Status or other type of security clearance has been granted.
If you have any questions regarding the CBSA personnel security screening process, please contact your regional security manager.
Roger E. Lavergne
Departmental Security Officer
Security and Professional Standards Directorate