Case history

Want to check a person’s judicial records or absence of impediment, or change your own judicial records? Find out what you need to do.

How to complete a criminal background check for an organization in Laval

Criminal background checks are regulated under provincial law, but the organization to which the law applies is responsible for undertaking the necessary steps with the Service de police de Laval. The result will be transmitted directly to the person in charge at the organization.  

The Service de police de Laval can check whether a memorandum of agreement exists with the Laval-based organization for which you work.

The following institutional sectors are eligible and covered under a memorandum of understanding:

• school service centres
• private educational institutions
• school transportation services
• operators of private seniors’ residences (PSR)
• operators of residential addiction rehabilitation facilities (RHD)
• integrated health and social services centres (CISSS – concerning administrators and directors of a PSR)
• community, sports and recreation organizations

How to complete a criminal background check outside of a memorandum of agreement, for organizations

If you work for an organization, please contact the Screening squad to find out if you are eligible for a memorandum of understanding and to initiate the process of getting one:

spl.filtrage@laval.ca

450-978-6888, extension 3487

If you are a citizen, please refer to the police certificate section.

Do fees apply?

Fees of less than $100 apply, depending on the application. These fees are regulated by provincial authorities and are subject to change. 

Other ways to check a person’s background

To run a background check prior to hiring without having to go through a criminal background or absence of impediment check, you can:

• Carry out a social and non-criminal screening (internal investigation, interview or recommendation).
• Call upon a private company accredited by the RCMP .
• Elicit the information from your volunteers by viewing the public court records, a database accessible through the municipal court that lets you perform a search by name or by infraction or record number.

For an absence of impediment check (AIC)

Hiring a person to work with a vulnerable clientele may require an absence of impediment to ensure that no previous conduct prevents the person from holding the position in question. The check includes:

• Criminal history (sentence or conviction; indictment or pending case; valid court order).
• Current or past existence of any conduct or misconduct creating reasonable grounds for concern that a person may pose a potential risk to the physical or moral safety of vulnerable people with whom they will work or be called upon to work.
• The infractions listed in Appendix 2 of the Criminal Records Act, even if they are subject to a criminal record suspension.

What is a vulnerable person?

According to the Criminal Records Act, a vulnerable person is a person in a position of dependence or at increased risk of abuse or aggression compared to the general population. This vulnerability may be related to:

• age
• a disability
• any other temporary or permanent circumstance

This vulnerability is assessed, specifically, with regard to relationships with people in a position of authority or trust.

When to apply for an absence of impediment?

When you must apply the Educational Childcare Act (LSGEE). For example:

• Childcare centres, coordinating office and legal person providing replacement childcare staff.
• Persons not recognized (PNR) who provide childcare in a home day care
• Educational institutions offering a study program related to childcare or special education.

When the services offered by an NPO come under the definition of a vulnerable person under the Criminal Records Act. For example:

• Day camps
• Drop-in daycare centres
• Self-help organizations*, shelters *, Parents-Secours, etc.
• Sports associations*
• Scouts, navy leagues and cadets*

*Exceptions may apply, depending on the situation.

How to apply for an absence of impediment

The Service de police de Laval must reach an agreement with organizations in order to check an absence of impediment concerning their staff, including employees or volunteers, and with eligible NPOs.

If you work for an organization, please contact the Screening squad to find out if you are eligible for a memorandum of understanding and to initiate the process of getting one:

spl.filtrage@laval.ca 450-978-6888, extension 3487

Individual absence of impediment or criminal background check for working with vulnerable persons, off-protocol

he SPL normally performs absence of impediment checks for organizations with which it has reached an agreement. In other provinces, the term “judicial records” can be used for a Vulnerable Sector Check (Vulnerable Sector Check / Vulnerable Sector Search (VSC/VSS).

The SPL does not carry out individual checks, barring exceptions. Here are two examples:

• In a case where a Laval resident must prove an absence of impediment to an employer or an organization whose head office is located outside the province.
• In the case where a student living in Laval requires an absence of impediment to work with a vulnerable clientele outside the province.

To submit an application for a check

Submit an application by indicating:

• your name
• your address
• the name of your organization

A person from the Screening squad will contact you as soon as possible.

Applicable fees

Fees of less than $100 apply, depending on the application. These fees are regulated by provincial authorities and are subject to change. Applications for volunteers are offered free of charge*.

* The SPL may request proof of volunteering.

To reach the Screening squad

If you have any questions, please contact the Screening squad.

Quartier général du SPL
2911 Boulevard Chomedey
P.O. Box 422, succursale Saint-Martin
Laval QC H7V 3Z4

spl.filtrage@laval.ca

450-978-6888, extension 3487