The Smith Investigation Agency Inc.
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A Private Investigation Agency in Canada
The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. is Canada’s premier private investigator agency, known for our esteemed reputation and recognition within the field. We’ve proudly received numerous awards and accolades over the years, distinguishing ourselves as the largest female-owned private investigation agency in the country. Our expertise lies in delivering professional, custom-tailored investigative services, catering to businesses, law firms, insurance companies, and the general public.
Our team of skilled and experienced investigators is well-versed in a broad range of investigative techniques, and we are well-equipped to handle any type of investigation, from complex corporate fraud investigations to insurance fraud cases and family investigations. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and discretion has earned us a reputation as the premiere private investigation agency in Canada. In addition, we offer our private investigator services for individuals.
Our private investigators ensure discretion in their work. Whether they’re investigating a personal affair or a corporate issue, they are thorough and offer peace of mind. These experienced professionals utilize a range of techniques in their work, including but not limited to surveillance, skip tracing to locate individuals, background checks to verify information, cyber investigations to uncover digital footprints, technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) to detect and eliminate bugging devices, debugging service to detect any unauthorized access to confidential information and much more.
We’re dedicated to quality, accurate investigations, which is why we also offer private investigator training online. During the online course, students learn the fundamentals of the private investigation profession, such as investigative techniques, the fundamentals of criminal and civil law, interviewing techniques, surveillance techniques, evidence collection and preservation, report writing, and more. By providing comprehensive training, our goal is to ensure that the field of private investigation is populated with highly qualified and knowledgeable professionals who are well-versed in all aspects of the job.
At Private Investigators International, we are proud to have over 40 years of collective investigative experience and a proven track record of achieving impressive results. Our team is comprised of highly trained and experienced private investigators who take great care to handle every case with precision and pay meticulous attention to detail. We understand that our clients expect nothing less than the best, and we strive to deliver on that promise.
Our agency is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the highest possible rating. This rating is a testament to our commitment to providing excellent customer service and upholding the highest standards of business ethics. We are also proud to have maintained a 5 Star Rating on Google, indicating that our customers have been highly satisfied with our services. We strive to continue delivering excellent customer service and ensure our customers have a great experience with us.
We understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and discretion when conducting surveillance investigations. Our investigators are committed to providing outstanding customer service and obtaining exceptional results, and they maintain open and honest communication channels throughout the process. We strive to exceed your expectations at every stage.
From the East Coast of Canada to the West Coast and everywhere in between, we have your private investigative needs covered. We offer Private Investigator services in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. In Ontario specifically, we are located in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa, Barrie, and many other cities throughout the province. Our experienced and knowledgeable team is here to help you with any private investigation needs you may have – no matter where you are located in the country.
In Alberta, our operations extend to the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. In Nova Scotia, we are present in the Halifax – Dartmouth area. In Saskatchewan, we have operations in Saskatoon and Regina. In British Columbia, our presence is felt throughout the province, with locations in Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, Kelowna and Victoria. We are continually looking to expand our operations in order to serve our customers better.
The Smith Investigation Agency is a faith-based Christian private investigations firm that specializes in providing clients with clarity and guidance. Our investigators are passionate about their work and take the utmost care to ensure our client’s privacy and confidentiality.
We have a deep commitment to our faith, which informs our work and helps us to provide our clients with compassionate, ethical, and professional services. Our aim is to help you quickly and effectively resolve any investigation needs you may have, and we guarantee that our discretion and dedication to your case will be unparalleled.
Private Investigation Services
Our specialized surveillance department offers a variety of surveillance services for businesses, the legal sector and private individuals. We regularly provide WSIB Investigations, Fraud Investigations, Insurance Investigations and Corporate Investigations, as well as Family Investigations including Infidelity and Child Custody Investigations. No matter your need for surveillance our team can get you the results that you need throughout Canada.
More InfoOur investigative research department is first-rate and can assist in cases of any kind and all levels of difficulty. We thrive on the challenge and continually push our skill level. With our agency being national it also assists as we have more information available to us and more resources in the provinces we service. Locating people throughout Canada is our goal, and we want to assist you in your skip tracing needs. Learn more about our skip trace and locate services.
More InfoNo matter your reason for a background check our team can help. We have the resources, knowledge and skill to obtain the information you need to put your mind at ease and have the facts. There is no reason to live in the unknown any longer. A Background Check from our Private Investigators is precisely what you need to make informed decisions in your business, personal life or with family matters. We can customize a background check to fit your needs. Learn more about our background check services.
More InfoA career in private investigation is not only personally rewarding but also intellectually and financially enticing. Take a look at our private investigator training page for further details on training and to purchase our investigator training course. This is one industry that will have all your friends talking and keep you on your toes daily. For more information on our private investigation training.
More InfoAssets searches are especially important when going through a divorce or when uncovering if a company can support itself financially and it's trustworthy. Our team can help you uncover the net worth of someone who is lying to avoid making a payment. Learn more about our assets searches services.
More InfoSocial media intelligence (SMI or SOCMINT) refers to the collective tools and solutions that allow organizations to monitor social channels and conversations, respond to social signals and synthesize social data points into meaningful trends and analysis based on the user’s needs. SMI allows us to complete a social media search with search engines and the deep web dive, to comprise a full report for our clients. Learn more about our social media monitoring services.
More InfoTechnical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) is a service provided by a professional team to help keep your home, office, and other spaces secure from those who wish you or your business harm. Our team has highly trained and educated TSCM Specialists with 30+ years of experience with the right equipment and certifications for the job. Learn more about our TSCM services.
More InfoAs technology is rapidly growing, the need for organizations and individuals to embrace IT solutions is necessary. Every organization or person's need for cyber investigations will vary. We can offer a wide variety of cyber investigations such as OSINT Investigations, Penetration testing, Digital forensics, Incident response, Phishing Campgans, Cybersecurity training and more. We use industry-leading experts to develop a custom-tailored solution for each client's needs.
More InfoOur Private Investigation Philosophy
Facts
In all cases, you deserve to know the truth and have the facts. Our team of professional private investigators will obtain the information you require. We believe that trust is not a given, it is something to be earned. If you suspect your trust has been broken, then our private investigators will help put your mind at ease.
Confidentiality
We understand that hiring a Private Investigator for some is not as easy as for others. Our team of expert private investigators understand that every case is different, but our policy on confidentiality and discretion remains the same. Hiring a private investigator often comes with the concern of someone finding out. With The Smith Investigation Agency’s track record of complete discretion, that fear quickly gets dissolved.
Compliant
Our team of highly qualified investigators will not only complete your file with discretion and expertise, but your case will be handled appropriately as per the laws and rules regarding Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Privacy Law Act and Evidence Law Act.
Customer Reviews
Consumer Choice Award Winners 7 Years In A Row!
The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., since day one, has taken a proud stance on the fact that “We Think Different.” We want to not only be a positive change and service to our clients but a positive change in our industry and community. We have won various awards within the industry, but the Consumers Choice Award for Business Excellence certainly stands out, and we are thankful to have won this award 7-years in a row. Thank you to all of our customers and clients, and we vow to continue offering the best investigative services in Toronto, Ontario. As well as in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Certified private investigators in Canada are professionals governed by rules set out by various acts, including PIPEDA, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and other governing bodies. They are permitted to carry out carefully managed investigative services for private individuals and businesses in a discreet, law-abiding manner in accordance with these regulations.
Our fully certified and legal team of private investigators can perform many services, including the following (click on any of the links below to learn more about each of them):
Private investigators in Canada are permitted to carry out services such as surveillance for a variety of clients which include insurance and legal claims along with legal and corporate fraud cases. They conduct surveillance for family and personal matters as well such as child custody situations, family wellness checks and investigating cheating spouses. In addition, we also locate individuals, perform thorough background checks, conduct asset searches and do investigative research. Completing all in a law-abiding manner. Contrary to the image that popular culture and entertainment media paints of these professionals, there are legal limitations to what they can and cannot do, again governed by strict privacy and security laws. These laws differ in Canada from those in the United States in a variety of ways as well.
In order to become a private investigator, you must first have no criminal record, and you must meet minimum age requirements. Second, you need to have completed a training program approved by the Ministry where you reside. In Ontario for instance you would work with the Solicitor General to obtain an Ontario Private Investigator license. We offer this training for those who wish to become private investigators, security guards, or hold a dual license. In Ontario, a minimum of 50 hours of training is required in addition to passing the exam before you’ll be able to apply for your license if all other criteria are met. Upon receiving your license, you must operate out of a fully licensed private investigation agency, such as us at The Smith Investigation Agency.
Absolutely! The only thing to bear in mind is that one needs to be realistic about which services they expect a private investigator to perform. The role is very different from the version depicted in movies or on television. We must adhere to federal and provincial operating regulations, a wide array of Acts, and otherwise. Therefore, should we decline a specific request, it’s almost certainly due to it not falling within our legally permissible operations. In other cases, we may only be able to get so far with limited information, but we’ll do our utmost to deliver optimal results. In addition, by operating legally and as a certified private investigative agency, the evidence we obtain can be entered into legal proceedings.
The primary action a private investigator is permitted to carry out, within legal regulations, is to monitor an individual’s actions and report on their activities. They can also obtain information via public records, and select private databases outside the public eye, but it’s crucial to be aware that they cannot obtain sensitive data pertaining to the government, CRA, disability, welfare, or other similar sources. If you’re unsure whether we can meet your needs, don’t be afraid to discuss your private investigative requirements with us – we’re happy to do so in a discreet manner that safeguards your privacy and security. That way, it’s easier to make an informed decision.
There are ways that we can legally obtain select pieces of information pertaining to an individual’s finances, but we do know that there are limitations. For example, a private investigator is not allowed to get ahold of private bank statements, and you should avoid agencies offering this at all costs as they are therefore not operating legally. Instead, we may be able to determine whether someone is hiding assets through other resources as permitted by law. Whether you need us for a fraud investigation, an asset search, or to look into an insurance claim conflict, we’re here to help in any way we can.
The price of hiring a private investigator not only varies depending on the time they put into the work, how they charge and other individual factors, but also the agency itself. For instance, with us, we promise to deliver the quality and professionalism that you pay for, going above and beyond for each client to ensure optimal results even with legal and/or information access limitations. Evidence is obtained with care to ensure it can be used in your legal defence or argument, communications are transparent between us but discreetly keep the outside world out, and any surveillance duties we perform are handled with care and respect for all involved parties.
Private investigators, as already detailed, can fulfill a wide array of duties in accordance with governing privacy and security laws, among other regulations. Compliance is crucial if one is to operate as a professional, dependable private investigator. We cannot use firearms, hack into computers or smartphones, request sensitive data from bodies like the CRA, trespass on private property, or follow through with other unrealistic propositions. We must operate legally, proactively, and very much discreetly, both to protect ourselves and our clients.
Our Blog
Private Investigator: Unveiling Secrets and Services
Private Investigator: Unveiling Secrets and Services Welcome to our exciting and informative blog, where we’ll delve deep into the intriguing world of investigators. Whether you’re considering hiring one, exploring career options, or simply curious about this profession, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll address a series of fundamental questions related to …
Skip Tracing: Canadian PIs on the Trail of American Residents
Skip Tracing: Canadian PIs on the Trail of American Residents In an increasingly interconnected world, the need to locate individuals across borders has become more prevalent than ever. Whether it’s for legal matters, personal reasons, or any other purpose, the expertise of Canadian private investigators (PIs) in tracking down American residents has proven invaluable. In …
Surveillance – How Private Investigators Get the Job Done!
Surveillance – How Private Investigators Get the Job Done! The world of private investigation is often depicted in movies and TV shows as a thrilling, high-stakes game of cat and mouse. While the reality may not always be as action-packed, private investigators do engage in one crucial activity that is both essential and intriguing: surveillance. …
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Our Service Areas
No matter the location throughout Canada The Smith Investigation Agency is the pragmatic choice when searching for the best private investigative firm.
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
