Hiring a Private Investigator in Canada: What You Must Know!

Sean Gladney
2022-08-10

Hiring a Private Investigator in Canada - What You Need to Know!

 

 

Is It Legal to Hire a Private Investigator Canada?

 

YES! You can legally hire a private investigator anywhere in Canada.

 

The work that is typically performed by a private investigator includes conducting background checks, taking statements and performing research and observation. When hiring a private investigator, to ensure that the information that the private investigator obtains for you can be legally used as evidence, you will want to ensure that the individual understands the legal requirements of the job and understands the laws applicable to the industry including the Criminal Code of Canada and applicable privacy legislation.  Therefore, you should ensure that you hire a private investigator that is licensed. For example, in Ontario, private investigators must be licensed under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005.

 

How do you know if your private investigation agency is reputable?

 

Research, research, research! You can verify an agency's license status online in Ontario through Service Ontario. As well, like any other company, you should research their reputation online and review the services and resources they offer.

 

What can private investigators do in Canada?

 

Private investigators must adhere to the Canadian Criminal Code. Private investigators work with specialized tools such as GPS tracking, video observation, and asset searches. However, use of these tools is constrained by laws and regulations and it is illegal for private investigators to trespass on people's property, hack into individual’s accounts, or wiretap any device. Private investigators are allowed to listen in on nearby conversations, but they are not allowed by law to listen in on private phone calls or monitor phone lines. Private investigators are not law enforcement and would be required to obtain a warrant issued by a justice of the peace to undertake certain actions in the investigation.

 

Private investigators can be helpful in many situations. Private investigators are able to conduct investigations for finding out about a person's personal traits or activities, their professional traits, the nature of their business, or their occupation; looking for guilty parties; looking for missing people; and running background checks. The investigations conducted are not only limited to business; they can also include personal and private investigations including looking into family assets or even uncovering personal affairs. 

 

100% Confidential Consultations

 

For more information regarding private investigations, you can contact Sean via email at sean@investigators-group.com

 

The Investigators Group Inc. (IGI) was established in 1995 as a full-service private investigation and security firm serving individuals across North America. We serve the legal, insurance and corporate communities as well as individuals through our civil and executive services. IGI provides professional investigation services, fraud investigators, workplace investigations, undercover operations, loss prevention and security services. The Investigators Group is located in Toronto, Ontario.

 

Contact The Investigators Group today for your confidential consultation to see how we might be able to help you with your private investigation needs.

 

Click here for a full list of our services ranging from corporate investigations, background checks to private investigation services.

 

 

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