At the OCS, we uphold the values of honesty and integrity and aim to enable a vibrant cannabis marketplace through great customer experiences. These principles are essential to building trust with our stakeholders and customers, as we maintain high standards for ourselves, our collaborators, service providers, retailers, and stakeholders. 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 by an OCS employee.
If you see or suspect allegations of wrongdoing in your dealing with an OCS employee, you may report your concerns 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 and order dates
- Process or policy
- Product selection
- Fulfilment-type changes
- Flow-Through orders or delivery
- Billing or finance inquires
- Quality assurance, including time frame of submitted claims and approval process
- Distribution Centre claims already submitted in the CRM system
If you have any questions about the above-mentioned items, please contact the OCS Customer Service Centre.
How to Report
You can file a report at any time 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 – 3882, and:
- Speaking with a Hotline Agent; or,
- Leaving a detailed voicemail message
What to Report
Details Matter
Please provide as much detail as possible, such as names, dates, times and locations. 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)
What is the Integrity Reporting Line?
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.
How do I make a report?
You can make a report by going to the ClearView Connects website, 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.
What types of issues can be reported?
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 wrongdoing listed above.
Are there any limitations to what I can report through the IRL?
While the IRL covers a wide range of issues, it’s essential to focus on matters directly related to integrity, compliance or ethical violations within our organization. Do not use the IRL to report issues related to:
- Delivery and order dates
- Process or policy complaints
- Product selection
- Fulfilment type changes
- Flow-Through orders or delivery
- Billing or finance related inquires
- Quality assurance, including time frame of submitted claims and approval process
- Distribution Centre claims already submitted in the CRM system
What happens after I make a report?
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.
Who handles the investigations?
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 I make a report, will it remain confidential?
Information provided will only be accessed and shared on a need–to–know basis or as required by law. You may choose to remain anonymous when submitting a report or share your contact information.
What should I do if I’m not sure whether an issue is serious enough to report?
If you’re uncertain, it’s always better to report the issue through the IRL.
Will there be a reprisal for filing a report?
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.
What if I am not satisfied with the process or I feel the report is not being addressed properly?
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 by visiting www.oico.on.ca.