Integrity at the OCS

As a public agency of Ontario, the OCS upholds important public sector values, including honesty, integrity, trust, fairness, excellence, responsiveness, diversity, creativity, collaboration and efficiency. These principles are essential to building trust with our stakeholders and customers as we maintain high standards for ourselves, our collaborators, service providers and retailers. Upholding the public’s trust requires a commitment to acting with integrity. The OCS has established the Integrity Reporting Line (IRL), an independent, confidential and anonymous system to report suspected allegations of wrongdoing against an OCS employee.

If you see or suspect allegations of wrongdoing in your dealing with an OCS employee, you may report your concern through the IRL. 

When to Report

Use the IRL to report any OCS employee exhibiting any of the following:

  • Potential non-compliance with federal or provincial laws or regulations; or acts or omissions that create a danger to a person’s life, health or safety or to the environment 
  • Gross mismanagement, such as gross waste of money, abuse of authority or abuse of public assets 
  • The directing or counselling of a person to commit wrongdoing, including but not limited to those listed above 

    Do not use the IRL to report issues related to:

    • Delivery or returns
    • Price of products
    • Inventory of products
    • Complaints about cannabis sales or distribution by illegal operators
    • Complaints about rules prescribed under the federal or provincial legal cannabis framework

    If you have any questions about the above-mentioned items, please contact the OCS Customer Service Centre or law enforcement, as appropriate. 

    How to Report

    You can file a report by:

    Visiting:
      • ClearView Connects, selecting 'Ontario Cannabis Store' and completing the IRL form
      • Once the report is submitted, you will be provided a confidential Report ID you can use to check the status of your report.
    Call toll-free 1-866-854-3883, and:
    • Speaking with a Hotline Agent; or,
    • Leaving a detailed voicemail message

      Details Matter

      Please provide as much detail as possible, such as names, dates, times and location. The report must be factual and truthful. Investigations will not proceed when a report is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith. 

      Secure, Confidential and Anonymous

      Information provided will be accessed and shared only on a need-to-know basis or as required by law. When submitting a report, you may choose to remain anonymous or share your contact information.   

      View Our List of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

      The Integrity Reporting Line (IRL) is an independent, confidential tool designed to report alleged or suspected wrongdoings in violation of the law, including the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (PSOA), by OCS employees. The IRL allows for the anonymous reporting of allegations of wrongdoing committed by an OCS employee.

      You can make a report by going to the ClearView Connects website, also available on OCS.ca under the Resources section, located on the bottom of the main page. You can also make a report by calling 1-866-854-3882.

      Provide as much detail as possible, including names, dates, times, and locations. Remember, all information must be factual and truthful.

      Information provided will be accessed and shared only on a need-to-know basis or as required by law. When submitting a report, you may choose to remain anonymous or share your contact information.

      You may report allegations of wrongdoing by an OCS employee as follows: potential non-compliance with federal or provincial laws or regulations; acts or omissions that create a danger to a person’s life, health or safety or to the environment; gross mismanagement, such as gross waste of money, abuse of authority or abuse of public assets; directing or counselling a person to commit a wrongdoing listed above.

      Once the report is submitted, you will receive a system-generated confidential Report ID. Use this ID to check the status of your report and to securely and confidentially communicate any additional information that may be needed. The OCS internal response team will also send you an acknowledgment through the IRL confirming receipt of the submission and any follow-up questions, if required.

      The OCS Ethics Executive is ultimately responsible for the disclosure of wrongdoing process at the OCS. When a report is submitted, the OCS Ethics Executive and their supporting internal response team will be notified. For clarity, the OCS President and CEO is designated as the OCS Ethics Executive under Ontario Regulation 147/10. The Ethics Executive may also refer an allegation of wrongdoing report to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

      If you’re uncertain, it’s always better to report the issue through the IRL.

      In no circumstance will there be any reprisals if you make a report in good faith. Investigations will not proceed when a report is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith.

      You have the right to submit your report to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario. You can contact the office at 1-866-844-4470 or visit oico.on.ca