If the HR compay will do the security clearance for you, just go head. It takes times, but it will valid for couple years. Ottawa is goverment town, a lot of contractor work for gov.
1. You have to being Canada around 10 years, Secret Lev II can be granted to citizen or permanent resident. 2. They will only initial the clearance process for you when they decide to hire you. No one will waste time to do this without very clear decision except for some agents who already have contract in place may do so. 3. Interview will be required, it is true that some questions are same as above people mentioned, it is not kidding.
Secret Lev II 10年可查询历史,(中国的经历查不到,在英联邦国家,美国,等国家的经历可查,不过会比较费时)
如果工作中需要接触比较sensitive 的信息的话,就需要这个clearance。
在interview的时候,会问楼上说的这些非常personal的问题,还有会问你家里电脑用不用盗版软件啊,有没有偷税漏税什么的。我的一个同事告诉我的。