PRIVACY WATCHDOG QUESTIONS FEDS OVER SCREENING MEASURES

The federal privacy watchdog is pressing for changes to security screening procedures for public servants. An internal memo prepared by the privacy commissioner's office says the government has “not demonstrated the need” for several intrusive measures, from credit checks to polygraph tests. The memo says the watchdog will continue to press the Treasury Board Secretariat to justify provisions of its screening standard, but also that the Treasury Board has largely proceeded without taking the privacy commissioner's advice over the years. The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to obtain a copy of the November 2019 memo. The Standard on Security Screening allows for screening of federal personnel from the basic “reliability status” to “enhanced top secret” clearance.