Question Period Note: Suspension of PSPC employee

On December 6, 2018, PSPC confirmed during a parliamentary appearance that an employee linked to an alleged leak of documents has been suspended. On June 9, 2022, the Crown stayed the charge.

• Public Services and Procurement Canada maintains the highest standards of security in order to protect Government of Canada information, assets, facilities and personnel
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada took immediate action upon being made aware of the RCMP investigation and the breach of trust charge laid against one of its employees, who was employed with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency at the time of the alleged events
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is addressing this matter and taking appropriate action, as per the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Standard on Security Screening
  • This individual has been a Public Services and Procurement Canada employee since January 2017 and is currently suspended
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is aware of the June 9 decision to stay the charge, and is reviewing it

In June 2017, PSPC was informed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that they were investigating Mr. Matthew Matchett, an employee of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), for allegedly committing a breach of trust in connection with his duties, under section 122 of the Criminal Code of Canada. At the time of the alleged events, Mr. Matchett was employed with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. In November 2019, Mr. Matchett was officially indicted of one count of Breach of Trust. PSPC is not involved in the criminal investigation.

Mr. Matchett was suspended [Redacted].

The trial commenced on June 6, 2022 and ended on June 9, 2022, when the Crown stayed the charge having determined that there was little chance of conviction.

[Redacted]

Security Status

An individual’s security status or clearance may be suspended if it is determined that their continued access to sensitive, protected or classified information could undermine or impede an investigation or that the individual’s presence in the department, agency or site represents a reasonably serious and immediate security risk to assets, information, or personnel.

If an individual’s reliability status is suspended, they no longer meet the condition of employment. An individual must have a valid reliability status at a minimum.

If a decision is made to revoke the security status or clearance of an individual, they will be formally notified by PSPC.

None