A criminal record check in Canada is intended to help employers, volunteer organizations and others screen applicants and avoid risks.
Not everyone with a criminal background is a risk to businesses or organizations; in fact, most don’t pose any risk at all. However, many employers will conduct these checks:
- For insurance reasons
- To protect personal property
- To protect their staff and volunteers
If you have a criminal record, you may find it hard to get a job or to volunteer. Some business opportunities such as franchises, business licences or taxi licences may be out of reach. Many cities will even require casual Uber drivers to provide background checks.
An organization will ask you to consent to the check or give you instructions on where you should go to get it done.
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Types of criminal record check
In Canada, a record check may vary depending on the purpose. If you are asked to do a criminal record check by an employer or organization, they will tell you what type of check you need.
Basic criminal record checks
A basic criminal record check is based on the applicant’s name and will come back with a response of “Clear” or “Not Clear.” If you have a Canada criminal record, your check would come back as “Not Clear.” A “Not Clear” result could also mean that someone in the database of criminal records has the same name and date of birth. If either of these situations are the case, you may be asked to get fingerprints taken in order to confirm your record or confirm that your record is clear.
Police Information checks
In some cases, an employer will ask for a more advanced check, which can reveal non-conviction information. This type of check can be called a Police Information Check (PIC) or e-PIC, if it is submitted online. Generally, with this type of record check, a search will be performed of the national database of records (which is called CPIC) and other local and national police databases.
Vulnerable Sector Check
A vulnerable sector check is intended for people working with children or vulnerable adults. This type of check goes much further than most criminal record checks and can even uncover some offences for which a pardon or Record Suspension has been received, for example, sexual or violent offences. The employer or volunteer organization must demonstrate that the job qualifies for this check before they can request it.
Certified Criminal Record
If you are applying for a Record Suspension or US Entry Waiver, you may require a Certified Criminal Record. A Certified Criminal Record contains the details of your convictions. In order to request this, you need to have your fingerprints taken and sent to the RCMP.
Having a criminal record can be a major obstacle when it comes to many opportunities. A Record Suspension, seals a criminal record and allows you to apply for jobs, volunteer positions, travel visas, educational programs and business and professional licences. If you have a criminal record, AllCleared can help. Contact us today at 1-866-972-7366.