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ARCHIVED - Guidelines for Ministers' Offices (2005-09) - Archived
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Part 2 Security
2.1 Requirements
All individuals who work in or for Ministers' and Ministers' of State offices, including exempt staff, other employees, contractors, students and persons on loan, assignment or secondment regardless of their work location, require a Level 2 (Secret) security clearance prior to appointment. They must also comply with other requirements for the safeguarding of government information and other assets. Clearances and security briefings are arranged by the Deputy Minister and the Departmental Security Officer (DSO). The Privy Council Office briefs Ministers, Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries on applicable security requirements.
All individuals who work in or for Ministers' and Ministers' of State offices should receive a security briefing from the Departmental Security Officer.
A single senior contact point should be designated within Ministers' or Ministers' of State offices to coordinate security related matters.
Advice on security clearances and other security requirements under the Government Security Policy may be obtained from the Departmental Security Officer.
It should be noted that contractors required to obtain a security clearance in order to fulfill the contractual obligations of the contract is not an appointment nor does the requirement to comply with the government Security Policy constitute an employer-employee relationship.
2.2 Personal security
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provide material to Ministers and Ministers of State on security precautions they can take to ensure their safety. The RCMP also provides them with a 24-hour, 7-day emergency contact number. In case of specific threat, the RCMP can offer additional protection (e.g. could include driver, vehicle and bodyguard).
The Departmental Security Officer should be informed of potential threats and future travel in order to ensure liaison with the RCMP and provision of the necessary level of protection.
The Government Security Policy requires protection measures for employees under threat of violence. The Departmental Security Officer can provide advice in this regard.