Issue link: https://thepbsa.uberflip.com/i/1403122
PBSA Journal PAGE 15 JULY/AUG 2021 Except where otherwise indicated, articles are copyright © by PBSA 2021. All rights reserved. As Canada starts to move into reopening, as vaccine rollouts expand, the PBSA Canada Council has been hard at work, remains engaged and in touch with our industry leaders. PBSA Canada Council Updates By Sarah Baldeo, Canada Council Chair T he past year has been a challenging one for Canada as we experienced one of the longest lockdown periods globally during Covid-19. Our PBSA members went through sweeping changes with some of their clients moving to remote hiring, reducing hiring, or increasing hiring - contingent on their industries. As Canada starts to move into reopening, as vaccine rollouts expand, the PBSA Canada Council has been hard at work, remains engaged and in touch with our industry leaders. Lia Ng, Chair of the Education Committee, has been focused on publishing a resource for members titled Policy Considerations for Background Screening Service Selection. The one-page document guides users of background check reports with a resource to consider both the legal and contractual obligations they may have as they prepare or review their background screening program from the components used to screen to how the results are reviewed. This document is a newly available resource on the PBSA website in the document resource library. The Education Committee is also working on a second resource for members; a glossary modeled after the Screening Industry Terms document completed by the Educational Resources Committee. The glossary will include common terms used in the screening industry in Canada specifically, with a completion target date of Fall 2021. This is being completed in conjunction with Education Chairs on corresponding Global Councils and will result in a tool to search for screening terms. Government Relations (GRC) has also been busy, led by Mark Sward. The GRC participated in a public consultation meeting with the Ontario government and submitted written comments regarding potential reforms to the Ontario Consumer Reporting Act. Comments were submitted to the Ontario government regarding the possible introduction of a comprehensive privacy law for Ontario and considerations relevant to our industry. An analysis of Quebec Bill 64 was also completed by the Committee. The bill is designed to amend Quebec's privacy law. A summary was delivered to PBSA membership, as well as a brief submitted to the parliamentary commission, studying the bill and suggesting some modifications to address unintended potential impact on the Screening Industry. Federal Bill C-11 was also analyzed - a bill to reform PIPEDA (the federal privacy law). While the GRC Committee determined that no submissions or commentary was required on the bill, a summary was delivered to PBSA membership. Lastly, the process of developing Policy Statements for PBSA Canada has commenced, modeled on similar statements already in place in the U.S. The Membership Committee, led by Derek Smith, has truly held down the proverbial fort, maintaining consistency with renewals, and adding some key new members. Michelle Leblond has led the Communications Committee forward with a fantastic charge of consistent and informative messaging, ensuring that despite the lack of in-person gatherings and meetings, Canada Council members remain informed and up to date with powerful insights and relevant background screening information. The Canada Council looks forward to welcoming Derek Smith as the new Chair in September 2021, with Sarah Baldeo finishing her term as existing Chair after several years with the PBSA Canada Council, first as a member of the U.S. Communications Committee, then as Chair for the Canada Communications Committee. Derek brings a wealth of knowledge in the background screening industry and HR tech space. The PBSA Canada Council looks forward to continued thought leadership and supporting industry practices in background screening as the world of work continues to evolve with remote work trends. l Canada

