{"id":21067,"date":"2024-01-10T16:39:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T16:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.staging.certn.co\/?p=21067"},"modified":"2025-01-10T15:07:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:07:18","slug":"background-check-halifax-key-things-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.staging.certn.co\/emea\/blog\/background-check-halifax-key-things-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Background Check Halifax: Key Things to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The easiest way to understand background checks is to think of them as risk assessment tools \u2013 they\u2019re a way for businesses, property managers, and institutions to get more information about someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because background checks reveal information about a person\u2019s past behaviours, job history, and criminal history to help with decision making. Here at Certn we provide <\/a>background checks, also called police checks or criminal record checks, for businesses of all sizes. We also provide personal background checks<\/a> for people who want to proactively see what shows up searches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certn is headquartered in BC and has screening experts who\u2019ve been working with clients across Canada since we launched online criminal record checks in 2017. Keep reading to find out more about how to get a background check Halifax and answers to frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Shows Up on a Background Check in Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are different kinds of background checks and the kind you need depends on the purpose, whether it\u2019s being done as part of job-related screening, to apply for a professional licence, or for a volunteer position. This goes for checks in Nova Scotia and all provinces and territories in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below we\u2019ve listed common checks and why you might be asked to run them, with a focus on background check Halifax for employment and property management.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criminal Record Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Criminal record checks involve checking local, provincial, and\/or federal databases for information on arrests, convictions, and other police-related matters. Criminal record checks are usually what people often think of when they think of background checks because they\u2019re so common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \n \"MyCRC\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can an employer ask for a criminal record check in Halifax?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes. However, even if you have a criminal history, it doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get a job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers are required to look carefully at each individual case and evaluate how having a criminal history may impact the responsibilities of the job. A criminal history doesn\u2019t necessarily exclude you from the workforce, but it might impact the kinds of roles you can apply to. This blog post on jobs that require a criminal record check<\/a> has more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can your landlord ask you for a criminal record check?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While criminal record checks are commonly used in job screening, there are some province-specific restrictions around criminal record checks by landlords on tenants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Residential Tenancies Program<\/a>, Nova Scotia landlords can conduct credit and background checks on prospective tenants but aren\u2019t allowed to force tenants to provide their Social Insurance Number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For certain roles, credit reports from credit bureaus might be reviewed to evaluate your financial trustworthiness. Whether a credit check is permitted as part of the job screening process depends on where you live. In Nova Scotia, like other places across Canada, credit checks to screen candidates are permitted, but like other background checks, they have to be relevant to the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driver Abstracts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driver abstracts<\/a> and driving record checks look for a history of traffic violations or accidents. Driving record checks are part of a comprehensive background screening process that helps employers make informed decisions about who to hire, specifically for roles where safe and responsible driving is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employment Verification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Employment verification describes the process through which someone confirms the accuracy of the employment information you list in your application. Employment verification vets job titles, timelines, and other work-related details. Employment history checks a common part of the job screening process and are done to ensure that the information you provide is truthful and accurate. It can also happen as part of the rental application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education Verification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, education verification is a process through which someone confirms the accuracy of your educational background as cited in your application. Education verification confirms the authenticity of the institutions, dates of enrollment, and any degrees, diplomas, and certificates you may have listed. Education verification is an important step for employers to ensure that they\u2019re hiring people with the necessary qualifications and experience for the job, and contributes to the overall integrity of their hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credential Verification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For jobs requiring specific licences or certifications, credential verification confirms the validity of the professional designations you list in an application. This is common in pre-employment screening in industries such as health care, law, and trades where a professional licence to practice or operate is the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Screening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some background checks might involve searching your public online presence to look for specific content or discrepancies that might impact your ability to perform a certain role. Where allowed (it\u2019s allowed in Nova Scotia), social media screening involves examining publicly available information on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Facebook, and others. While public information is fair game, employers have to respect candidates’ privacy and avoid seeking or using information that\u2019s not relevant to the job. (This is why Certn\u2019s social media screening<\/a> reports only show flagged content.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, in this blog post, we explore background check Halifax, but here\u2019s more general information on how background checks work<\/a> based on check type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens with the Information from a Background Check?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we covered above, the results of background checks in Canada are used by employers for hiring decisions, landlords for rental applications, institutions for security clearances, and more. However, the specific outcomes vary depending on the nature of the background check and the employer’s policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers must follow applicable laws and regulations when conducting any background screening. In Canada, employee background checks are covered by the Privacy Act <\/a>and provincial privacy acts. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the United States outlines requirements for the use of consumer reports (which includes background checks) in employment decisions and how to provide candidates with an opportunity to address any discrepancies or adverse findings. Here\u2019s more about what US employers need to know about adverse action requirements<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fair and Transparent Background Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fair and transparent use of background check information helps maintain trust between employers and candidates. Above all, background checks should be tailored to the specific needs of the job or requirements. Blanket background checks that include irrelevant information can inadvertently lead to discrimination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, asking for information about your driving history when it’s unrelated to the job or job function may violate anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, conducting a targeted background check is more efficient and cost-effective because unnecessary checks can be time consuming and may result in extra expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can I Do a Background Check on Myself Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can do a background check on yourself in Canada. While checking criminal records is often done by employers and landlords, you can check your records too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian criminal records documenting offences that fall under federal and provincial jurisdiction. They\u2019re maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police<\/a> (RCMP) in a Canada-wide database called the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). Records can be requested in person or online, but checks on a person can only<\/em> be ordered by individuals or organizations with a legitimate reason to request such information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, requesting your own records for your personal reference counts as a \u201clegitimate reason,\u201d so does a prospective employer requesting a criminal record check as a condition of hiring you for a new role, but you can\u2019t request your sister-in-law\u2019s records, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having said all this, published civil, criminal, and penal judicial records and other courthouse details can be accessed for free by anyone searching public repositories such as Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s provincial SOQUIJ<\/a> database where available. This blog post covers the SOQUIJ database and criminal record check Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get a Criminal Record Check Halifax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can get a background check Halifax<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. In-person by visiting a Halifax Regional Police<\/a> headquarters;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Online through the Halifax Regional Police\u2019s third party service provider; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Online through another approved third party service provider<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In-Person at the Halifax Regional Police Headquarters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you live in Halifax, you can apply for a background check Halifax in person at the Halifax Regional Police headquarters Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Background Check Halifax Fees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The cost is $50 plus tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supporting Documentation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to completing an application form, you must bring two forms of government-issued identification (one must have a photo). Acceptable forms of identification include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n