Our nation’s capital is known for many things: the Rideau Canal, The Canadian Tulip Festival and Beaver Tails. But Ottawa is perhaps best known for being a government city. And, with that, a city full of federal employees. A criminal record check in Ottawa is essential if you plan to go after a coveted government job.

In Ottawa, there are three different kinds of criminal record checks.

Level 1: Criminal Record Check (CR)

This is a basic check for applicants looking to work or volunteer for an employer or organization doing their due diligence. A CR includes criminal convictions from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and/or local databases, summary convictions for five years, when identified and findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period.

Level 2: Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJM)

A CRJM is for applicants who need a basic background check like the CR, along with a search of outstanding entries and charges. A CRJM will include outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation, prohibition orders, and absolute and conditional discharges for one or three years, respectively.

Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

A VSC is for candidates looking to work or volunteer with vulnerable persons, who are defined as a person who, because of their age, a disability, or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, are in a position of dependence on others or are otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by the person(s) in a position of authority or trust to them.

In addition to the information provided in a CRJM and a CR, a VSC also includes charges that resulted in a finding of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder and pardoned offences authorized under the Criminal Records Act Non-Conviction Information authorized through Exceptional Disclosure.

Before making your request, you must first determine which one is required by your potential employer. Also, please note, due to RCMP policy Triton is unable to provide you with a vulnerable sector check (VSC).

While federal employees can be guaranteed to need a criminal record check at least once in their career, there are many others that also require this as part of the hiring process. A non exhaustive list includes:

Criminal Record Check (CR)

  • Administrative personnel
  • Food/retail vendor
  • General labour
  • Landlord/superintendent
  • Permanent residency/work permit
  • Security guard
  • Tenant for rental property
  • Tradesperson

Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJM)

  • Dog walker
  • Financial services
  • Hotel/bar staff
  • Long-haul trucker
  • Retail clerk
  • Server in a restaurant

The number of federal public service workers grew by over 8,000 in the last fiscal year. This could lead to a backlog in criminal record checks, especially if this sector continues to grow. To help, Triton can guarantee your criminal record check within 15 minutes through our secure, online platform. This platform is available 24/7, so you can get the documents you need any time.  As well, our pricing is the most competitive in the industry.

If you’re in Ottawa and would like more information about obtaining your criminal record check, please visit: https://www.tritoncanada.ca/criminal-record-check-in-ottawa/