Skip to main content

CCLA's Report on Police Records Checks

This press release provides a summary of CCLA’s 2014 report False promises, hidden costs: the case for reframing employment and volunteer police record check practices in Canada. The report argues that Canadians are being needlessly excluded from educational, volunteer and work opportunities based on irrelevant information disclosed on police record checks. The report questions the value of widespread police record checks and shines a light on the damaging individual and societal consequences of current practices. search report that examines current questions on the topic of religious freedom and its intersection with equality. The report first sets out a framework that guides the analysis before focusing on three specific areas: religious freedom and the rights of LGBT individuals, religious freedom and reproductive rights, and religious freedom as expressed in appearance. Through the examination of a sampling of key cases, the authors strive to articulate principles and recommendations that can guide advocates and policymakers towards a rights-based resolution of these debates.

What Is Disclosed In a Record Check? 

Record checks are increasingly used in the hiring process, and gaps in legislatures allow these checks to disclose information well beyond criminal convictions. This information may include:

  • Mental health apprehensions
  • Police records of suicide attempts
  • Complaints where charges were never laid
  • Withdrawn charges
  • Acquittals
  • Victim and witness information
Press Release

Download a copy of our press release, with a summary of our recommendations.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE
Report Recomendations

Governments should:

  • Introduce legislative and policy measures to prohibit the disclosure of non-conviction records;
  • Establish a centralized, evidence-based vulnerable sector screening process that incorporates human rights and privacy safeguards;
  • Recognize that it is in the public interest to support individuals with criminal records to find employment, and eliminate unjustifiable record check requirements mandated by legislation, government contracts, government policies, funding agreements, etc.; and
  • Amend legislation to ensure all Canadians enjoy the same levels of privacy and human rights protection in the workplace.

Our Latest Work and Updates

Filter

AllAccess to InformationArbitrary DetentionArtificial IntelligenceBill 21Bill 28Bill C-27Border TechnologyCases and LawsCCPA (Bill C-11)Community SupervisionConditions of ConfinementConstitutional RemediesCOVID-19COVID-19 & Law EnforcementCOVID-19 & PrisonsCRIMINAL JUSTICECriminal Prohibitions on SpeechCriminal Records & Collateral ConsequencesCriminal Records & Police Record ChecksCriminal Records & Police Record ChecksCruel & Unusual PunishmentDeaths in CustodyDecriminalizationDeescalation & Use of ForceDefamationDemocratic RightsDetasking PoliceDevice SearchesDigital IDDisabilityDNA ForensicsDONATEEDUCATIONElection FinanceEmergencies ActEmergencies Act NewsEncryptionEQUALITYFace SurveillanceFair Trial RightsFair Trial, Due Process & SentencingFighting Compelled Political SpeechFighting Solitary ConfinementFreedom of AssociationFreedom of ExpressionFreedom of ReligionFreedom of the PressFRONT BURNER ISSUESFUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMSGET INFORMEDGuidesHabeas CorpusIN THE NEWSINCLOIndigenous PeopleInformation SharingIntelligence & CybersecurityInternet Privacy and SpeechLearnLGBTQ2S+Life, Liberty & SecurityMAJOR CASES & REPORTSMass SurveillanceMobilityNational SecurityNB Abortion RightsNot Criminally ResponsibleNotwithstanding ClauseOntario Private Sector LegislationOpen CourtsPIPEDAPODCASTPolice Coercion & EntrapmentPolice Powers, Use of Force & Police AccountabilityPolice Transparency, Oversight & AccountabilityPolicy 713Political AdvertisingPRESS RELEASESPresumption of InnocencePrisons, Jails & Community SupervisionPRIVACYPrivacy ActPrivacy During COVIDPrivacy Law ReformProsecutorial MisconductProtecting JournalistsRace, Religion & EthnicityRacial ProfilingReasonable Expectations of PrivacyRefugees & ImmigrationRegulation of Online ExpressionRight to CounselRight to ProtestRight to Reasonable BailRight to SilenceSafe SheltersSearch & SeizureSearch & SeizureSentencingSex Offender RegistriesSmart CitiesSocial MediaSocio-Economic StatusSolitary ConfinementStrip SearchesSurveillance & PrivacySurveillance & TechnologySurveillance CapitalismTalk RightsToronto's Smart CityTravel ScreeningUncategorizedUnreasonable Search & SeizureVaccine PassportsVOLUNTEERVoting RightsWomenYouth

Know Your Rights: Universities Should Continue to Acknowledge the Rights of Students to Express Themselves and to Protest Peacefully

Now more than ever, it is important for individuals to understand their rights when they…
May 8, 2024

Join Us As We Stand Against Bill 21 and for Human Rights

This is a critical moment.
February 24, 2022

Statement on Bail and Sentencing Changes

TORONTO - The Canadian Civil Liberties Association strongly opposes the bail and sentencing changes announced…
October 16, 2025

CCLA Renews Call for Government to Drop its Strong Borders Package

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is renewing its call on the government to withdraw its…
October 10, 2025

CCLA Appears before House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bail System

On October 2, 2025, Shakir Rahim Director of the Criminal Justice Program, testified before the…
October 9, 2025

Joint Statement from Canada’s Civil Liberties Organizations on Alberta’s Proposed Use of the Notwithstanding Clause

OTTAWA — The BC Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and the Ligue…
October 9, 2025

CCLA intervening before Supreme Court in McKee to protect fair trial rights

The CCLA has been granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in…
October 8, 2025
Activists Protesting Peacefully in the street

Civil Society Groups Demand Federal Government Rethink Bill C-9

OTTAWA — The federal government recently introduced Bill C-9 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code…
October 6, 2025

Bill C-2 information resources outline significant privacy concerns

Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, is a government omnibus bill that imposes severe limitations on…
October 2, 2025

Government needs to fix dangerous flaws in federal cybersecurity proposal

Ahead of a key House of Commons debate scheduled for today, civil society groups are…
September 26, 2025

CCLA Urges Premier to Reconsider Plan Undermining Charter Freedoms

Today, CCLA’s Executive Director wrote to Alberta’s Premier expressing deep concern over the plan to…
September 24, 2025

Statement from the CCLA on TikTok Report

TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is deeply concerned by the findings of the…
September 24, 2025

CCLA Defends Landmark Court Decisions on Racial Profiling at the SCC

OTTAWA – The Canadian Civil Liberties Association filed arguments at the Supreme Court of Canada…
September 23, 2025

CCLA Condemn Alberta’s Proposed Use of the Notwithstanding Clause to Target Trans Communities

TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association strongly condemns Alberta’s plan to invoke the notwithstanding…
September 22, 2025

CCLA: Bill C-9 Risks Criminalizing Peaceful Protest

On September 19, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-9 with the declared intent…
September 22, 2025

Alberta’s Plan to Add Citizenship on Driver’s Licenses Raises Privacy and Rights Concerns

Toronto — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is warning that the Alberta government’s plan to…
September 16, 2025

CCLA Statement on Edmonton Police Service Threat to Crown

TORONTO - It is manifestly unconstitutional and deeply troubling for a police service to threaten…
September 11, 2025

CCLA Calls for Data Collection in Bail Reform

Claims that access to bail drives crime are false, and no government has provided evidence…
September 11, 2025

CCLA Welcomes Court of Appeal Decision Upholding Protections for Convention Refugee Children

TORONTO – Harini Sivalingam, Director of Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made…
September 3, 2025

CCLA Releases New Guide on Protest Rights

TORONTO - In a time when the right to protest is on all our minds,…
September 2, 2025

CCLA Sounds the Alarm Over Government of Alberta’s Dangerous Censorship Agenda

TORONTO – The CCLA is sounding the alarm over the Government of Alberta’s push to…
August 29, 2025

CCLA Condemns Quebec’s Ban on Prayer in Public

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association strongly condemns the Quebec government’s announcement that it will introduce…
August 28, 2025
en_CAEnglish (Canada)