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How to receive a Police Record Check (PRC) / Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS/VSC) across Canada

Updated

If you are reading this article because you have just applied to join a group in your community as a Scouts Canada Volunteer, you’re in the right place!

  1. Important information about Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Search (PRC/VSS) with Scouts Canada
  2. Where to receive a PRC/VSS and your Proof of Volunteerism letter
  3. What to do while you wait for your application to be processed
  4. How to submit your PRC/VSS when your results are received

Scouter transfers, returning from a break-in-service or moving to a new role FAQ

Child Abuse Registry check (CAR) - Manitoba and Nova Scotia

 

1. Important information about Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Search (PRC/VSS) with Scouts Canada

There are several ways to receive this check, how you receive it depends on where you live. Some communities offer the option to complete this online and in-person, other communities only have one of these options available.

MyScouts lists this screening requirement as a Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search or “PRC/VSS”. However, this check isn’t always called a Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search specifically. The name varies by community. For example, in BC it’s called a Police Information Check - Vulnerable Sector (PIC -VS), in Toronto it’s called a Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC), in other parts of Ontario it’s called a Vulnerable Sector Check etc...

Regardless of the specific title of your check, remember you need your check specifically for seeking roles with children (vulnerable sector). The common thread is the vulnerable sector check, the local check.

  • We do not accept police Record Checks completed through third-party organizations like CERTN
  • To be valid, your clear PRC/VSS must be received specifically for Scouts Canada, legally we cannot accept vulnerable sector checks requested for other organization.
  • Your clean check must be under 3 months old when it submitted to us.

 

2.  Where to receive a PRC/VSS with your Proof of Volunteerism letter

Select your province or territory

Prince Edward Island

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Québec

Ontario

Alberta

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

British Columbia

Northwest Territories

Nunavut

Yukon

 

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon

  • Use the General Proof of Volunteerism Letter attached at the bottom of this page
  • This can be downloaded for online submission or printed to submit in person
  • Find your local RCMP detachment for how to apply online or in person

Ontario

OPP Policed Communities

Large urban centres apart from the city of Toronto, as they have a unique process below

Do I live in an OPP-policed community?

Greater Toronto Council – Postal codes beginning with ‘M’

All other communities in Ontario

Québec

Various processes exist in Québec Council that are unique to specific detachments. Please reach out to your Group Commissioner, they will guide you.

Alternatively, feel free to contact the help centre for support help@scouts.ca

 

Alberta

Calgary Section Scouters (not including Group Committee members or camp roles, Rover Scouts, or non-member volunteers such as parent helpers/parent-adult overnight). If you live in the city of Calgary and will be applying for a PRC via Calgary Police Service, please submit a PRC Request via Alberta VSPN PRC Request Form. One of our agents will confirm your status and send you special PRC link which will allow you to complete your PRC/VSS free of charge.

Please note Section Scouters work directly with the youth in the Colony, Pack, Troop, Company, and/or Crew.

 

All other communities in Alberta

 

British Columbia

Apply through the Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Review Program

Please note, you can apply through your local RCMP detachment as an alternative

Newfoundland and Labrador

North East Avalon, Corner Brook, and Labrador West - Newfoundland Constabulary Jurisdiction. Apply through the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

All other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

Halifax residents can use this specific link to utilize Backcheck for their PRC/VSS

  • This is an online application
  • Vulnerable Sector Check using this specific link for Backcheck

All other communities in Nova Scotia

Additional Steps / Fingerprinting: In some cases, you may be asked to provide fingerprints to move forward with your PRC/VSS the detachment will explain why, as these are case by case. Be prepared to take this step if asked to by your local detachment.

 

3. What to do while you wait for your application to be processed

Once you have applied for your PRC/VSS with your local police we encourage you to:

           1. Do your best to complete online learning (5 hrs) while your PRC/VSS application is processed by your local police.

Processing time for this across the country varies. We have found that the quickest turnaround times are between 1 week– 10 days, however, this may take longer. We’re hoping you’ll be ready to begin in your role within the next few weeks.

Take online learning in the David Huestis Learning Centre accessed in MyScouts

Scouting Fundamentals with Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders is 5 hours and can be completed using various devices, phones, tablets etc... the learning software allows you to start and stop whenever you like for as long as you need to. This could look like 1 hour a day for 5 days, half-an-hour a day for 10 days etc...

         2. Speak with your group about your screening and to discuss your new role

Reach out to your Group Commissioner (GC), if you aren’t already in touch with your group. Their contact information is included in the welcome email you received and is also listed in MyScouts on your group’s homepage.

Let them know:

  • Your thoughts. What are you nervous about? What are you excited about?
  • What your upcoming availability looks like. This is so they can coordinate with a second Scouter and schedule your interview.
  • When you think you’ll be ready to begin with your new section or committee. This gives your new group the opportunity to prepare for your arrival.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have about your upcoming role. If you have questions that you would like to be answered by staff, please reach out to the help centre and we’ll do our best to provide insight.

Note for Manitoba and Nova Scotia residents, this is a friendly reminder that you need a Child Abuse Registry Check in addition to a PRC/VSS. Processing takes on average 10 days. Please submit your CAR check as soon as you can, instructions are in the link above.

 

4. How to submit your PRC/VSS when your results are received

Please refer to Police Record Check (PRC) Submission Process. 

 

Help Centre

Still need help? Please feel free to contact the Scouts Canada Help Centre.

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