Canadian Enhanced Criminal Record Checks (Level 2 / EPIC)

At Hire Performance, our Canadian pre-employment background check services are designed for speed. While ordering through a police station can take weeks, most Enhanced Criminal Record Checks (Level 2) are completed and delivered securely online within 15 minutes to one hour, helping your business accelerate onboarding and make faster hiring decisions.

A criminal record check is technically a 'point in time' search, meaning it is only a 100% accurate reflection of the day it was issued. While search results do not have a formal expiry date, most background screening policies for Canada background check requirements suggest renewing checks every 6 to 12 months to ensure continued workplace safety.

Not sure which check you need? Ask your candidate the following question:

"Have you been convicted of a sexual offence AND received a pardon or record suspension?"

IF YES: Request that your Candidate visit a local police station to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). This check is necessary to ensure individuals with a history of sexual offences are thoroughly screened when working with vulnerable populations.

IF NO: You can proceed with an Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check through Hire Performance Inc. This check is appropriate for Candidates who are working with vulnerable populations and have no history of sexual offences or record suspension.

An Enhanced Criminal Record Check (CPIC + PIC) – also known as a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) in Ontario – is equivalent to a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) in that it can provide all the necessary information needed to evaluate candidates who are in positions of trust, authority over children and vulnerable persons. An Enhanced Criminal Record Check is includes a standard criminal record check (CPIC) as well as:

• Outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation and prohibition orders.
• Information typically included in a Judicial Matters Check, such as active court orders and other pending judicial conditions that may not result in a conviction but are still relevant to assessing risk.
• As per CPIC policy, information obtained from the Investigative Databank must be confirmed and authorized for release by the contributing agency.
• Absolute and conditional discharges for 1 or 3 years, respectively.
• Negative police contacts including but not limited to theft, weapons, sex offences, or violent, harmful and threatening behaviour.

Another advantage of an Enhanced Criminal Record Check is that we can provide the results of your completed check  within 15 minutes to 1 hour upon request. While ordering from a police station can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 months, our simple process is able to provide you the quickest turnaround possible.

Once complete, the results of the report will be securely delivered to you directly online.

A Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is a specialized search that third-party criminal record check companies cannot legally perform; they must be initiated by local police where the candidate resides. The additional information a VSC can provide includes;

• In very exceptional cases, where it meets the exceptional disclosure, non-conviction including, but not limited to, withdrawn and dismissed.
• Not criminally responsible by reason for mental disorder.
• All records suspensions as authorized for release by the Minister of Public Safety.

If your candidate may fall into any of the above cases, and you want to run a Vulnerable Sector Check in Ontario or which ever province you live in, please request a VSC from your nearest police station.

Canadian Background Screening Glossary

CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre): The primary national database managed by the RCMP that houses the National Repository of Criminal Records. A Level 1 check focuses solely on this database to identify criminal convictions.

CRJMC (Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check): The official "Level 2" search in Ontario. It includes a standard criminal record check plus a search for outstanding entries such as charges, warrants, and judicial orders.

LPI (Local Police Information): A search of the records management systems belonging to local police jurisdictions. This uncovers localized judicial matters that may not yet be updated in the national CPIC database.

PIP (Police Information Portal): An national integrated search index that allows authorized agencies to query local police records across 171 different jurisdictions in Canada.

E-PIC (Enhanced Police Information Check): A common term used in Western Canada and by national agencies to describe a Level 2 search. It is functionally equivalent to an Ontario CRJMC.

VSC (Vulnerable Sector Check): The most comprehensive search available, intended only for roles involving trust over children or vulnerable adults. By law, these must be initiated by the local police and include a search of the Pardoned Sex Offender Database.

Record Suspension (Pardon): A legal process in Canada that sets aside a criminal record, sealing it from standard public view in Level 1 and Level 2 checks.