In Canada, the safety of employees, customers, and the public is paramount, making criminal record checks an essential step in the hiring process for many industries. These checks help companies ensure they are making responsible hiring decisions.
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Types of Criminal Record Checks in Canada
Canadian employers may request one of three main types of background checks, each serving different purposes and providing varying levels of detail about an individual’s criminal history:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC): This basic check, performed by local police, is common in industries not working with vulnerable populations. It details criminal charges and convictions but excludes pending charges and non-conviction activities.
- Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC): For jobs requiring high levels of trust, like law enforcement or security positions, an E-PIC provides a deeper look into an individual’s background, including pending charges and probation orders.
- Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC): Specifically for those working with vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly, a VSC includes information from a CRC plus any record of sexual offences.
Industries Likely to Require a Background Check
Several sectors are known to commonly request criminal record checks as part of their hiring processes:
- Healthcare and Social Services: Positions in healthcare may require both a CRC and a VSC due to the sensitive nature of working with vulnerable individuals.
- Education and Childcare: Working with children necessitates thorough background checks, including CRCs and VSCs, to ensure the safety of young learners.
- Transportation: For roles like truck driving or public transit operation, a CRC is standard practice to uphold public safety.
- Finance and Banking: Handling sensitive financial information means employees in this sector are likely to undergo a CRC.
- Law Enforcement and Security: Given the responsibility and trust involved, roles in this industry usually require an E-PIC.
- Government: Similar to finance and banking, government roles involving sensitive information typically require comprehensive background checks.
Special Focus: Healthcare and Transportation
Healthcare/social services and transportation stand out not only for their critical role in Canadian society but also as sectors with high demand for workers. This demand is reflected in the introduction of category-based Express Entry draws, targeting candidates with specific skills and work experience to address labor market shortages. The categories include healthcare work experience and transport occupation work experience, among others.
For those looking to work in these high-demand industries, understanding the requirement for criminal record checks is crucial. This knowledge ensures a smooth transition into the Canadian workforce, particularly for new and prospective immigrants aiming to contribute to these vital sectors.
