Pre-Employment Screening: Changes to the Criminal Records Check Process

Employers who factor in a prospective employee's criminal record when deciding whether to hire should know that criminal record searches are now subject to an Interim Policy Statement that is designed to bolster associated privacy controls and is issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Conducting reference and criminal records checks as a part of pre-employment screening is a critical part of the hiring process, particularly in workplaces where the nature of the workplace, client base or work itself is sensitive.

Prior to November 2009, employers could, as part of their pre-employment screening process, conduct either a basic criminal records check or a vulnerable sector check by submitting a request to an authorized agency, e.g., a local police force or a third-party screening provider. These agencies would then conduct a search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), a national database administered by the RCMP.