Most employers in Canada are now doing criminal checks on new employees as well as existing employees in some situations. As a result there has been a huge increase in demand for criminal checks with the RCMP.
If you have a criminal charge that was stayed, dismissed, withdrawn, absolute or conditional discharge, then a common criminal background check will simply show that the person “may or may not have a criminal record”. Once this happens then the employer requires the person to get thier fingerprints taken again and sent to the RCMP to be certified.
Once the RCMP file returns to the employer it may or may not show the criminal charge. Regardless, the employer is suspicious and there is a delay in hiring.
Once you get a file destruction to remove your prints, photos, court and police records (if your criminal charge was stayed, dismissed, withdrawn, absolute or conditional discharge), then a common criminal background check WILL NOT say “may or may not have a criminal record”, it will simply show up clear. That is why it is so important that you apply for a file destruction if you are in this situation.
If you have been convicted of a criminal offence and require a Pardon to remove your old criminal record, then we will need to obtain the RCMP file to submit to the government with your pardon application. As a result of this delay in RCMP processing, many pardon files have also been delayed.
Below is an aricle titled “Tougher RCMP rules on criminal record checks delay teacher hires” that highlights the issue of the current delays in RCMP processing:
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.
