Broad Record Check (BRC)

Effective January 1, 2025, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has approved regulatory amendments under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) and the Intercountry Adoption Act, 1998 (IAA) to establish consistent police record check (PRC) requirements for the child and youth sector that are intended to improve the safety of children and youth who are in care or receiving services under these acts.

The regulations apply to applicants, employees, volunteers, students, board members and external contractors of service providers, licensees and caregivers (including prospective caregivers) and prospective adoptive parents listed O. Reg. 155/18 under the CYFSA and O. Reg. 200/99 under the IAA.

A letter from a requesting organization is required for all Broad Record Check applications.

The regulations include requirements for specific individuals to provide a Broad Record Check (BRC) which is a request for disclosure of additional types of information than what is generally available through a Vulnerable Sector Level Check.

Types of information disclosed in a Broad Record Check

Criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been issued or granted.
Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act during the applicable period of access under the Act.
Absolute discharges during the applicable period of access.
Every criminal offence of which the individual has been found guilty and received a conditional discharge on conditions set out in a probation order during the applicable period of access.
Every criminal offence for where there is an outstanding charge or warrant to arrest.
Every outstanding order made against the person in respect of a criminal matter including probation orders, or prohibition order.
Every court order made against the individual including, restraining orders under Sec. 46 of the Family Law Act, under Sec. 35 of the Children’s Law Reform Act or 137 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.
Every criminal offence with which the individual has been charged and resulted in a finding of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder.
Any conviction for which a pardon has been granted if authorized under the Criminal Records Act (Canada).
Any non-conviction information where criminal charges against the person resulted in a stay of proceedings, dismissal or withdrawal.
Every contact where actions were taken against the person under the Mental Health Act as it was determined that the person was suffering or apparently suffering from a mental disorder of a nature or quality that would likely result in serious bodily harm to them or another person, or in serious physical impairment of themselves.
Information about every contact between the person and a police service where there is a written record UNLESS disclosing the information could interfere with a law enforcement matter; person is unaware of the contact, person was a minor at the time of the contact, or information is not relevant to the person’s suitability to perform caregiving duties for a child or to reside in a place where a child is residing and receiving care.