Canadian Criminal Record Checks (Level 1 / CPIC)

Our criminal record checks (often refered to as a criminal background check or background screening or pre-employment screening) includes a complete report of an applicant’s prior conviction history in Canada since 1998.

Each report gives you access to information stored in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database managed by the RCMP, so you get relevant and accurate information on potential hires of your company.

These police checks provide an indication of the existence of criminal convictions, for which a pardon has not been granted, within the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records. Any information discovered will be as the record exists on the date of search.

You need information fast when making a decision to hire. That’s why we offer a 4-hour or less guarantee on background checks requested through our eScreener paperless service. In many cases, online criminal record checks can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.

Once complete, your results will be securely delivered to you directly online via the eScreener.

Background screening refers to the process of researching and gathering information about an individual's history, often to make informed decisions about their suitability for employment, tenancy, financial transactions, or other situations where trust and reliability are essential. Background screening aims to verify and assess an individual's qualifications, character, and past behaviour, helping organizations and individuals make more informed and risk-conscious decisions.

Employers have a duty to check the backgrounds of prospective employees for the sake of shareholders, fellow employees, and customers. A thorough background check can save an organization an enormous amount of grief and expense down the road. Hire Performance’s services accelerate the recruiting process and dramatically improve the quality of background information necessary to make well-informed hiring decisions. These benefits will significantly reduce expenses associated with turnover and re-training - not to mention the damage that a 'bad hire' can inflict on the company and its customers.

Yes, background checks are legal, but they must be conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing privacy and employment practices. In many countries, including Canada, the United States, and others, specific laws dictate how background checks can be performed, what information can be obtained, and how many years of history can be reviewed. Employers and background screening companies need to adhere to these laws, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada or the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the U.S., to protect individuals' rights and privacy during the screening process. You can read more about this here.

No, the terms refer to different things, though they are related in the context of criminal record checks in Canada. The CRJMC is a specific type of police check that incorporates information from the CPIC and other local databases. 

Here is a breakdown of each term:

• CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre): This is a national police database maintained by the RCMP. A basic "CPIC check" (also known as a Level 1 check) usually provides only criminal convictions that are in the national repository.
• PIC (Police Information Check): This is a type of record check that was often the former name for what is now known as a CRJMC in many Ontario police services. It goes beyond a basic CPIC check by including outstanding charges, warrants, and judicial orders.
• CRJMC (Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check): This is the current, formal name for a "Level 2" police check in Ontario and other jurisdictions. It is a comprehensive check intended for general employment or volunteering (but not with vulnerable persons) that includes: Criminal convictions from CPIC and local police databases. Outstanding entries like charges, warrants, peace bonds, and probation orders. Absolute and conditional discharges. 

In summary, a CRJMC is a more detailed report that uses information found within the broader CPIC system, and "PIC" is often an older, synonymous term for the CRJMC.