Jobs That Hire People with a Criminal Record in Canada (2026 Guide)

Can You Get a Job with a Criminal Record in Canada?

Yes — and more employers are open to it than you might think. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from working in Canada. The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on a conviction for which a pardon (record suspension) has been granted. Most provincial human rights codes extend similar protections.

Even without a pardon, many employers evaluate candidates based on the relevance of the offence to the specific role, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. A minor offence from ten years ago should not define your career options today.

The key is being strategic: understand which industries are most open, know your rights, and — critically — know what's actually on your record before employers see it. You can order your own criminal record check from SafeHire for $64.99 and receive results in 15 minutes.

Industries and Jobs That Commonly Hire People with Criminal Records

Construction and Trades

The skilled trades sector is one of the most accessible industries for people with criminal records. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, and general labourers are judged primarily on their skills and work ethic. Many small and mid-sized contractors explicitly focus on what you can do — not what's in your past. The ongoing skilled trades shortage across Canada makes employers even more motivated to look past older offences.

Apprenticeship programs through trade unions are also worth exploring. Many accept applicants with records, particularly for offences unrelated to theft or fraud.

Warehousing and Logistics

Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Loblaws, and other large retail and logistics companies operate massive fulfillment and distribution centres across Canada. These employers often have high turnover and significant demand for workers, which makes them more pragmatic about applicants' backgrounds. The focus is on reliability and physical capability. Many of these positions do not require criminal record checks at all for entry-level roles.

Third-party logistics (3PL) companies and freight carriers follow similar patterns, particularly for dock workers, forklift operators, and order pickers.

Food Services and Restaurants

Kitchens are famously second-chance workplaces. Line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and kitchen helpers are in constant demand across Canada's restaurant industry. The food service sector experiences some of the highest turnover rates in Canadian employment, and managers are typically focused on showing up on time and working hard — not on your background.

Catering companies, food production facilities, and large institutional kitchens (hospitals, university cafeterias) also regularly hire people with records for back-of-house positions.

Manufacturing

Factory floor positions in automotive parts, food processing, plastics, metal fabrication, and general manufacturing are frequently accessible to people with criminal records. Large manufacturers like automotive parts suppliers in Ontario or food processors in the Prairies often conduct volume hiring and evaluate applicants primarily on reliability and availability.

Production line work, machine operation, and quality inspection roles typically do not require the same level of screening as white-collar positions.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping

Landscaping companies, golf courses, municipal parks departments, and property management firms regularly hire seasonal and permanent workers for outdoor labour. This industry is skills- and effort-based. Many landscaping companies are small businesses where the owner hires based on personal judgment rather than a checklist.

Year-round roles in grounds maintenance, snow removal, and tree care services are accessible entry points.

Cleaning and Janitorial Services

Commercial cleaning is one of the most consistently accessible industries for people with records. Office cleaning, industrial cleaning, building maintenance, and janitorial services provide employment throughout the year. Many cleaning companies hire through staffing agencies that specialize in placing workers who face barriers to employment.

Residential cleaning services are generally less accessible due to the personal nature of working in someone's home, but commercial contracts offer good volume employment.

Moving and Delivery Companies

Moving companies, courier services, and last-mile delivery operators frequently hire people with records for physical labour roles. Independent contractors driving for delivery apps (excluding rideshare platforms, which require criminal record checks) may have more flexibility. Small independent moving companies often hire based on physical capability and references.

Trucking (for Offences Unrelated to Driving)

Long-haul and local trucking companies are open to drivers with criminal records as long as the offence is not driving-related. A DUI or dangerous driving conviction will disqualify you from a commercial driver's licence in most provinces, but a non-driving-related offence from years ago should not affect your CDL eligibility. Cross-border trucking into the United States requires additional clearance, so this is worth researching if that affects your target routes.

Self-Employment and Skilled Trades

Starting your own business removes the criminal record check barrier entirely. Many tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, general contractors, painters — build successful self-employed businesses. The provincial licensing requirements for trades focus on skills and competency tests, not criminal records (with some exceptions for regulated professions).

Self-employment in landscaping, cleaning, moving, and handyman services is similarly accessible. The challenge is building a client base, but this is achievable through word-of-mouth, community referrals, and local advertising.

Tech Industry

The technology sector has one of the more progressive hiring cultures in Canada. Many tech companies have adopted "ban the box" policies — removing the criminal record check question from initial job applications so that candidates are evaluated on skills first. Developers, customer support agents, data entry specialists, and technical roles are often accessible to people with records.

Tech bootcamps and online certification programs are also well-suited for career transitions, as they focus on demonstrated competency rather than traditional credential pathways.

Non-Profit Organizations Specializing in Reintegration

Many non-profit organizations that work in social services, homelessness, addiction recovery, and community support actively seek to hire people with lived experience — including criminal records. The John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society, and St. Leonard's Society are employers who value the perspective that comes from lived experience with the justice system.

Peer support work, case management assistance, and community outreach roles at these organizations provide meaningful employment and often offer career growth.

Staffing Agencies That Work with People with Records

Some staffing agencies specialize in placing workers who face employment barriers, including people with criminal records. These agencies have established relationships with employers who have already indicated openness to hiring people with records. This can save significant time and frustration in the job search.

Ask any staffing agency directly: "Do you work with candidates who have criminal records?" A good agency will give you a straight answer.

Jobs That Typically Require a Clean Record

Being realistic about where barriers exist is just as important as finding opportunities. These sectors typically conduct background checks and may disqualify applicants with certain convictions:

Healthcare involving vulnerable populations — Nursing homes, hospitals, and care facilities serving children, elderly, or disabled persons routinely require criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screenings. Convictions for violence, theft from patients, or sexual offences are typically disqualifying. Minor or unrelated offences may be assessed case by case.

Education (working with children) — Teaching, educational assistant, and school support roles require criminal record checks in every province. Vulnerable sector checks are standard for any role involving unsupervised contact with minors.

Law enforcement and corrections — Police services, RCMP, correctional officers, and border services require extensive background checks. A criminal record is a significant barrier to most law enforcement careers.

Financial services (money handling) — Banks, credit unions, and financial institutions often screen for fraud, theft, and dishonesty-related convictions. These are particularly relevant to roles with access to money or client accounts.

Government security clearance positions — Federal and provincial government roles requiring security clearances involve comprehensive background investigations. A criminal record can delay or prevent clearance, depending on the nature of the offence.

Childcare and daycare — All provinces require criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screenings for workers in licensed childcare facilities.

Driving-related jobs with a DUI/dangerous driving conviction — Commercial driving, school bus driving, taxi, and rideshare platforms will disqualify drivers with impaired driving convictions. The look-back period and exact rules vary by province and employer.

Know What's on Your Record Before You Apply

One of the most practical steps you can take before starting a job search is ordering your own criminal record check. Many people are surprised by what does — or doesn't — show up on their record:

• An old charge you thought was dropped may still appear
• A conviction you served time for years ago is still visible
• A record suspension you received may not have fully cleared from all databases

Order your own criminal record check from SafeHire for $64.99. Results are delivered by email in as little as 15 minutes — the same CPIC database employers use. Better to know what they'll see before they see it, so you can prepare your explanation or pursue a record suspension if appropriate.

See also: What shows up on a police check in Canada and What employers see vs what you see on your criminal record.

Your Rights as a Job Applicant with a Criminal Record

Understanding your legal rights is essential. Here's what Canadian law says:

Written consent is required. Employers must obtain your written consent before running a criminal record check. They cannot check without your permission.

You have the right to see the results. If an employer uses your criminal record check results to make a hiring decision, you have the right to receive a copy of those results.

Pardoned records should not appear. If you have received a record suspension (pardon), your conviction should be removed from CPIC and should not appear on standard criminal record checks. If a pardoned offence appears incorrectly, you have the right to dispute it.

Provincial human rights protections vary. Ontario's Human Rights Code, for example, protects against discrimination based on a "record of offences" which is defined as a provincial offence or a federal indictable offence for which a pardon has been granted. BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and other provinces have comparable protections.

The "ban the box" movement advocates for removing the criminal conviction question from job application forms so that candidates are evaluated on qualifications first. Several large Canadian employers have adopted this approach voluntarily.

Employers must assess relevance individually. A blanket "no criminal records" hiring policy is generally difficult to defend under Canadian human rights legislation. Employers are expected to assess whether a specific conviction is relevant to the specific role being applied for.

How to Get a Record Suspension (Pardon)

A record suspension — formerly called a pardon — removes your conviction from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, meaning it will no longer appear on standard criminal record checks. This can dramatically improve your employment prospects.

Eligibility requires completing your full sentence (including probation and fines) and then waiting 5 years for summary convictions or 10 years for indictable convictions. Applications are submitted to the Parole Board of Canada, and the fee is $50.

For a complete step-by-step guide, see: Record Suspensions (Pardons) in Canada — Complete Guide.

Resources for Job Seekers with Criminal Records

John Howard Society of Canada — Provides employment support, housing assistance, and reintegration services for people leaving the justice system. Local chapters are available in most cities. johnhoward.ca

Elizabeth Fry Society — Offers support services primarily for women and girls who have had contact with the justice system, including employment counselling. caefs.ca

Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) — National organization coordinating advocacy and direct services for women affected by the criminal justice system.

St. Leonard's Society of Canada — Community-based reintegration programs including employment support, housing, and life skills development.

Provincial legal aid clinics — If you're dealing with a legal issue related to employment or your record, provincial legal aid offices and community legal clinics provide free or low-cost legal advice.

Service Canada Employment Insurance and Employment Programs — The federal government offers various employment programs and funding for skills training that are accessible to people with records.

FAQ

Can an employer refuse to hire me because of a criminal record in Canada?

An employer can consider your criminal record in hiring decisions, but they are required by human rights law to assess whether the conviction is relevant to the specific job. They cannot have a blanket "no criminal records" policy and must evaluate each case individually. Pardoned offences cannot be held against you.

Do I have to disclose my criminal record when applying for a job?

You are generally not required to disclose your criminal record unless the employer directly asks on the application form. If asked, you should answer honestly — dishonesty discovered later can be more damaging than the record itself. If you have a record suspension, your pardoned offences do not need to be disclosed.

How long does a criminal record stay on file in Canada?

A criminal record remains in the CPIC database indefinitely until a record suspension is granted. There is no automatic expiry for adult convictions. Absolute discharges are removed after 1 year; conditional discharges after 3 years.

Can I work in the US with a Canadian criminal record?

A Canadian criminal record may affect your ability to enter the United States. US Customs and Border Protection has access to certain Canadian records through information sharing agreements. If you have a conviction, you may need a US Entry Waiver to cross the border.

What is the best thing to say about a criminal record in a job interview?

Be honest, brief, and forward-looking. Acknowledge the past, take responsibility, explain what you learned and how you've changed, then redirect to your qualifications and what you bring to the role. See: How to explain a criminal record in a job interview.

Does a record suspension guarantee I'll be hired?

No — but it removes the conviction from CPIC, meaning it won't appear on standard criminal record checks. This significantly improves your options in most sectors. Some roles (vulnerable sector checks) may still reveal pardoned sexual offences, but for the vast majority of employment purposes, a record suspension gives you a clean start.