I have been in hiring situations where we have contracted with basic background check companies, and for a few hundred dollars, it is amazing what comes up.

All verified.

And when something comes up that is shall we say questionable, it is highlighted/bolded/underlined etc., and frankly, in print, looks unsettling...

Particularly if you have alternative candidates that are relatively spotless..

Sounds like Ottawa either needs a new company that does it, or it need to get a company that does it...

It does have a way of doing background checks, doesn't it?

(wait a minute, there is the RCMP, CSIS, and a raft of other resources the private sector could not even dream of.....wow.....)