Do Criminal Records Transfer Between Provinces in Canada?

How Criminal Records Work in Canada

Criminal records in Canada are centralized in a national database called the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). This system is maintained by the RCMP and is accessible to police services and authorized organizations across all provinces and territories.

What CPIC Contains

The CPIC database includes:

• Criminal convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada
• Outstanding charges and warrants
• Prohibition orders
• Peace bonds
• Information about persons of interest
• Missing persons information

How Information Gets Into CPIC

When you are convicted of a criminal offence anywhere in Canada:

1. The court reports the conviction to the local police service
2. The police service enters the conviction into CPIC
3. The record becomes accessible nationally

This happens automatically as part of the criminal justice process.

The Short Answer: Yes, Records Transfer

Your criminal record follows you across Canada. If you were convicted of an offence in British Columbia and move to Ontario, your record will appear on any criminal record check conducted in Ontario.

This is because:

• All criminal record checks search the same CPIC database
• CPIC is accessible nationwide
• Your record is tied to your identity, not your location

Provincial vs Federal Offences

It is important to understand the difference between federal and provincial offences:

Federal Offences (Criminal Code)

These are "true" criminal records that appear in CPIC and transfer nationally:

• Assault
• Theft
• Drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Impaired driving (now federal under the Criminal Code)
• Fraud

Provincial Offences

Provincial offences are not criminal convictions and are handled differently:

• Traffic violations (speeding, running red lights)
• Minor bylaw infractions
• Provincial regulatory offences

Provincial offences:

• Do not appear on criminal record checks
• Are maintained in provincial databases
• May affect provincial records (like your driving abstract)
• Generally do not transfer between provinces

The Exception: Driving Records

While not criminal records, driving records deserve mention:

• Each province maintains its own driver abstract database
• When you transfer your license, your driving history may be shared
• Serious driving offences (like DUI, which is now criminal) appear on CPIC

Background Checks Across Canada

How Employers Search Records

When an employer conducts a criminal record check:

1. The screening provider submits your information to search CPIC
2. CPIC searches nationwide for any matching records
3. Results include convictions from any Canadian jurisdiction

The search is the same whether you live in the province where the check is conducted or elsewhere.

Police Information Checks

Police information checks conducted by local police services also search CPIC, plus they may include local police database information specific to that jurisdiction.

Common Misconceptions

"My record is only in the province where I was convicted"

False. Your record is in the national CPIC database, accessible everywhere.:

"Moving provinces will clear my record"

False. Your record is tied to your identity, not your address.:

"I need to do background checks in each province where I lived"

False. A single criminal record check searches the national database, covering all provinces.:

"Provincial offences show up on criminal record checks"

Generally false. Provincial offences are not criminal records and typically do not appear on criminal record checks.:

What Shows Up on a Background Check

A standard criminal record check will show:

Will appear:

• Criminal convictions from any Canadian province
• Outstanding warrants from any jurisdiction
• Active charges before the courts

Will not appear:

• Provincial traffic tickets
• Municipal bylaw violations
• Charges that were withdrawn or dismissed
• Youth records (in most circumstances)
• Pardoned offences (record suspensions)

Moving to a New Province

If you are moving to a new province and have a criminal record:

Your Record Status

Your criminal record status does not change:

• Convictions remain on CPIC
• Record suspensions remain in effect
• Waiting periods for record suspension are not reset

Employment Background Checks

Background checks in your new province will find the same information as checks in your previous province - the search is national.

Disclosure Requirements

If you are asked about criminal records for employment or housing, you should disclose as you would in any province. The relevant provincial human rights legislation applies where you are applying.

Getting Your Record in a New Province

You can obtain your criminal record check from anywhere in Canada:

Online services: Work nationally - you can use the same service regardless of your current location

Local police stations: You can request a criminal record check from any local police service, even if you recently moved there

RCMP: For certified criminal record checks, you can apply through the RCMP from anywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

If I was convicted in Quebec, will it show up in Alberta?

Yes. CPIC is a national database, and your conviction will appear on any criminal record check conducted anywhere in Canada.

Do I need separate background checks for each province where I have lived?

No. A single criminal record check searches the national CPIC database, which includes records from all provinces.

Will my traffic tickets show up if I move provinces?

Traffic tickets are provincial offences, not criminal records. They will not appear on criminal record checks. However, they may appear on your driving abstract, and provinces share some driving record information when you transfer your license.

What about youth records?

Youth records have special protections and typically do not appear on adult criminal record checks, regardless of where you live now.

Does a record suspension work across Canada?

Yes. A record suspension (pardon) is granted by the federal government and removes your record from CPIC nationwide.

What if I was convicted outside Canada?

Foreign convictions do not appear in CPIC. However, some background checks may include international databases, and foreign convictions may appear separately.

Key Takeaways

1. Criminal records in Canada are stored in a national database (CPIC)
2. Your record follows you regardless of where you move
3. Background checks search the national database, not provincial databases
4. Provincial offences (traffic tickets, etc.) are different from criminal records
5. Record suspensions work nationally

If you have a criminal record and are moving provinces, the most important thing is to understand what is on your record. Get a copy of your criminal record check so you know exactly what employers will see.