No, you may not be bondable with a criminal record. However, you may be able to become bondable with a Record Suspension. You may have come across job postings with the requirement that you be “bondable” as a condition of employment. This requirement is usually for the company’s protection. In order for the company to get insurance, it needs to demonstrate it has not hired anyone who creates risk for the organization so it can recover if there is theft or loss to the company.
Many jobs may want you to be bondable. If you handle cash, sensitive company information, or client financial information, you may have to pass a background check and credit check. The background check includes your criminal record, and any convictions will prevent you from being bonded. If a company asks if you are bondable, therefore, you must answer “no” if you have a criminal record.
In order to open up job opportunities, you may want to apply for a Record Suspension. This does not erase your criminal record, but it sets it apart from other criminal records. Since it will not show up in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, it will not prevent you from being bonded by an employer.
Applying for a Record Suspension can be a lengthy process, but it is worth it to ensure no opportunities are closed to you. You can get help with your pardon application and be on your way to a new life without the black mark of a past infraction.