Xpera private investigators offer an independent and unbiased set of eyes to support law firms, insurance companies, private corporations, and government entities in obtaining factual information about an individual, an activity, or an event. They collect, analyze, and compile data gathered from an investigation. Background research and the collection of this information by different means is part of the job of an Xpera private investigator. Investigations can range in type and scope but often focus on fraud and other forms of criminal activity, due diligence, background checks, or compliance.
Due to the sensitive nature of their work, Xpera private investigators are required to handle all cases with the utmost integrity and professionalism. The investigator’s independence and objectivity are crucial to ensuring that an investigation is comprehensive and unbiased.
In addition to high standards of conduct, Xpera private investigators must also adhere to jurisdictional regulations. We dispatch investigators to any region within Canada. We ensure all private investigators hold a valid investigator license for the province in which they practice. Some maintain licenses in multiple provinces. Further, our private investigators must adhere to industry directives as well as municipal, provincial, and federal laws and legislated regulations.
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories govern private investigators with standards and laws that are very similar including licensing guidelines and practice procedures. For example, in Ontario the private investigator industry is regulated by the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA). Similar Acts include British Columbia’s Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act, and Quebec’s Private Security Act. Each Act defines the rules and a code of conduct that governs the way a private investigator must conduct themselves while working including evidence procedures and guidelines.
Our private investigators remain on top of all Canadian laws including privacy legislation. This includes the Federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA); Provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA); and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Private investigators must maintain strict levels of confidentiality in all interactions and documentation. For example, our private investigators must be cognizant of laws surrounding surveillance and knowing when and how to capture video without infringing on an individual’s right to privacy in order to ensure evidence admissibly.
In addition to adhering to all currently accepted legal practices, Xpera private investigators are also trained in the most advanced and up-to-date research, surveillance, photography, interviewing, and statement-taking procedures and techniques. This is to ensure the highest evidentiary value for their clients. Our private investigators also make use of the necessary equipment and tools to ensure evidence will be admissible for civil or criminal trial settings, tribunals, mediations, or other trial applications. If presenting evidence, our private investigators are familiar with both their provincial evidence act and the federal Canada Evidence Act. Further all private investigators are kept up to date with recent case law pertaining to key components of investigative techniques and procedures. Private investigators also have an understanding to the Trespass to Property Act.
Our investigation teams work on a flexible schedule, allowing Xpera to provide services with an “anywhere at any time” approach. This flexibility can include the ability to travel to remote locations to begin a case immediately. While conducting their work our private investigators demonstrate interpersonal skills that allow them to work well with people. It is common for private investigators to interact with a variety of people of different backgrounds.
It is the balance of flexibility in both schedule and approach, combined with the necessary rigidity of conduct, licensure, and legislation that make the work of Xpera private investigators demanding and rewarding and entirely unique. While the tenets of professionalism, discretion, and objectivity remain constant, the technologies, methodologies, and practices used by our private investigators are constantly evolving.