The Ontario government says it is planning legislative changes aimed at speeding up vulnerable sector police record checks for people seeking jobs or volunteer positions working with children, seniors and people with disabilities.
The proposed amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 would allow designated police services to process vulnerable sector checks for applicants outside their local jurisdiction during periods of high demand.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the changes are intended to reduce delays while maintaining safeguards designed to protect vulnerable populations.
“Delays in getting a vulnerable sector check should never stand in the way of someone getting a job or giving back to their community,” Kerzner said in a statement released by the province.
Vulnerable sector checks involve more detailed screening than standard police record checks and are commonly required for positions involving children, seniors and people with disabilities. The province says that additional screening can contribute to longer wait times for applicants.
Under the proposal, police services experiencing lower demand could assist other jurisdictions by processing checks for out-of-area applicants, helping improve efficiency across the system.
Ontario says implementing the changes would require coordination with federal agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada, to provide designated police services with access to federal databases.
The government says the proposed reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize police record checks, strengthen public safety and improve access to employment and volunteer opportunities across the province.
