What information is typically included in a criminal record check?

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.

How long does a criminal background check take?

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.

What is background screening?

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.

Why is background screening important for employers?

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.

Are background checks legal?

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.

Pre-Employment Criminal Record Checks (CPIC)

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Hire Performance makes it easy to screen with confidence. Our Canadian Criminal Record Checks are delivered quickly and accurately with fully compliant results.

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Criminal Background Checks with Hire Performance

Hire Performance’s Canadian Criminal Record Checks, also known as CPIC or CCRC, protect your business by helping you select safe, honest, and reliable employees while protecting your organization from individuals with undisclosed pasts.

There are 3 types of criminal record checks in Canada.

Level 1

CPIC

Standard Criminal Record Checks

This check searches the National Repository of Criminal Records, maintained by the RCMP, through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system. CPIC is the national database used by police services across Canada to access criminal records and related information. This database contains adult criminal convictions where no pardon or record suspension has been granted.

Level 2

CPIC + PIC

Enhanced Criminal Record Checks

Enhanced Criminal Record Checks—also known as a Police Information Check (PIC) or Judicial Matters Check—includes a Level 1 Criminal Record Check through the RCMP’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and a Local Police Information (LPI) search. CPIC is the national database of criminal records, while the LPI adds convictions and judicial matters reported by local police.

Level 3

VSC

Vulnerable Sector Checks

The Vulnerable Sector Check includes both Level 1 and Level 2 searches, along with a review for sexual offences under Schedule 1 of the Criminal Records Act that are subject to a record suspension (formerly a pardon). VSCs cannot be obtained through third-party companies and are only available directly from the police.

Canada’s leader in criminal record checks

For over 20 years, Hire Performance has completed hundreds of thousands of criminal record checks for businesses, not-for-profits, and individuals across Canada. As a 100% Canadian-owned company, all background checks are handled by our in-house team, with data securely stored on Canadian servers—never outsourced.

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Simple, secure & compliant screening

An Employee Background Check gives you the insight needed to make effective hiring decisions and manage your business with confidence. Our background screening and backcheck services help create a safe workplace by identifying risky hires, protecting assets, maintaining your reputation, and mitigating client risks.

All Employment Screening processes on the eScreener are accurate, secure, and fully compliant with PIPEDA, provincial privacy laws, and human rights legislation.

Run online background checks within the eScreener ➔

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Run online background checks within the eScreener ➔

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Criminal Background Check FAQs

What information is typically included in a criminal record check?

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.
How long does a criminal background check take?

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.
What is background screening?

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.
Why is background screening important for employers?

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.
Are background checks legal?

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.

Need more than a standard check?

Our Enhanced Criminal Record Check (CPIC + PIC) includes everything in a standard check plus outstanding charges, warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation, negative police contacts and more! Ideal for positions of trust, safety-sensitive roles, and working with vulnerable persons.

Learn more

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Looking to run U.S. and international criminal record checks?

Whether you need an Ontario Criminal Record Check or are hiring in Alberta, B.C., or anywhere else in Canada, our nationwide coverage ensures fast, compliant, and accurate background screening every time. For companies with cross-border hiring needs, we also provide U.S. Criminal Record Checks and International Background Checks for complete global compliance.

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