Private and Corporate Investigations in Toronto and Ontario
When you need facts before you act, Regal Security gathers them confidentially and within the law. Regal is licensed in Ontario for private investigators as well as security guards.
- Licensed PIs Ontario private investigators
- Confidential Files limited to people you approve
- Lawful methods Including privacy law
Corporate Investigation Services
Fraud, time theft, assets and backgrounds for corporations, law firms, insurers and individuals. No job is too big or too small, and every file is handled confidentially.
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Insurance and benefit fraud
Facts on suspicious claims, so insurers and employers can decide with evidence.
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Time theft investigations
Whether paid hours are actually being worked.
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Asset and financial tracing
Locating assets and following financial activity relevant to a dispute or recovery.
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Background checks
Verifying who a person or business is before you hire, partner or invest.
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Employment verification
Confirming the work history and credentials a candidate claims.
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Healthcare security investigations
Investigative support within our healthcare security consulting.
Do Private Investigators Need a Licence in Ontario?
Yes. Under Ontario's Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA), anyone paid to conduct investigations primarily to provide information, such as on a person's character or actions, business, or whereabouts, is a private investigator and must hold an individual licence. The business selling the service needs its own agency licence.
- Training and testing: private investigator basic training of at least 50 hours, then a ministry test. It's a separate course from the 40-hour security guard course.
- Eligibility: at least 18, entitled to work in Canada, and a clean criminal record.
- On the job: investigators must carry their licence and produce it on request.
- One role at a time: no one may act as a security guard and a private investigator at the same time.
- Off limits: licensees may not act in debt collection, as bailiffs or in residential evictions.
Regal's licence: Regal Security Inc. is licensed in Ontario for security guards and private investigators.
| Security guard (Ontario) | Private investigator (Ontario) | |
|---|---|---|
| What the work is | Guarding or patrolling to protect people or property | Investigating to provide information |
| Basic training | At least 40 hours, plus first aid/CPR | At least 50 hours |
| Individual licence required | Yes | Yes |
| Uniform | Required in most roles | Not part of the role |
| Can the same person do both at once? | No (PSISA s. 12) | No (PSISA s. 12) |
Who Uses Our Investigation Services
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Employers and HR teams
Time theft, misconduct concerns raised through a hotline, pre-hire verification.
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Insurers
Claim investigations that need independent facts.
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Law firms
Fact-finding and asset tracing to support a file.
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Healthcare organizations
Investigations within a wider security program.
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Individuals
Background and asset questions handled discreetly.
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Integrity Hotline™ users
If your organization uses the Integrity Hotline™, a report that needs follow-up can move straight to a confidential investigation.
Integrity Hotline
Experienced Investigators, Clear Boundaries
Our investigations are carried out by experienced professionals with backgrounds that include the military and consulting.
Because Regal also provides security guards, we keep the two roles separate, as the law requires. An investigator on your file isn't working as a guard at the same time.
How a Regal Investigation Works
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Confidential consultation
You explain the concern; we tell you what can lawfully be done.
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Scope and authorization
We agree in writing on objectives, methods, timelines and who receives the findings.
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Investigation
Licensed investigators gather information lawfully and document everything.
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Report
You receive a clear, factual report of findings and supporting evidence.
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Next steps
We help you decide what to do, from closing the file to adding security measures.
Why Choose Regal for Corporate Investigations
- 01
Licensed for investigations
Regal holds an Ontario private investigator licence as well as its security guard licence.
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Confidential by default
Files are limited to the people you approve.
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Lawful methods
We respect all confidentiality and legal requirements, including privacy law, so the evidence holds up when you rely on it.
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A head start for guarding clients
At sites Regal already protects, time-stamped clock-ins and GPS records from Kovrra, the security ERP Regal uses, can give an investigation its starting timeline.
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One partner for investigation and protection
If findings show a security gap, our guards, mobile patrol and electronic security affiliates can close it.
Our services - 06
Regal Plus service
Investigations sit within Regal Plus, our premium services group.
All Regal Plus services
Investigations: Frequently Asked Questions
Do private investigators need a licence in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario's Private Security and Investigative Services Act requires anyone paid to conduct investigations primarily to provide information to hold an individual private investigator licence, and the business selling the service to hold an agency licence.
Is Regal Security licensed to provide private investigators?
Yes. Regal Security Inc. is licensed in Ontario for both security guards and private investigators.
How much training does a private investigator need in Ontario?
At least 50 hours of ministry-compliant basic training, followed by a ministry test, before applying for a licence.
Do background checks for hiring need a private investigator?
Not always. Ontario's Act doesn't apply to work that consists primarily of providing information on the qualifications and suitability of employees or prospective employees. Broader inquiries into a person's character, actions or whereabouts are private investigator work.
What can't a private investigator do in Ontario?
Licensed investigators can't act in debt collection, as bailiffs or in residential evictions, and can't work as a security guard at the same time.
How much does a corporate investigation cost?
It depends on the type of investigation, the hours and methods involved, and the reporting you need. Ask for a confidential consultation and we'll scope it for you.
Request a Confidential Consultation
Tell us what's happening. Your enquiry goes to a small team and stays confidential.