Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's important to remember that there are two types of criminal record checks. There's the standard criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check. A criminal record check verifies whether an individual has a criminal record. That's the standard record we often see in court with convictions. A vulnerable sector check verifies whether someone has a criminal record as well as any record suspensions, which means pardons, for sexual offences and includes local police records for information relevant to the situation.

Now if a vulnerable sector check is requested, there's a procedure. They simply cannot be asked for arbitrarily. The initial decision to request is made by the hiring organization. If they determine the position is one of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons, they can request that an applicant for the position obtain a vulnerable sector check. The applicant then applies to the local police service where they live. The applicant will have to provide certain information, including the description of the position, the name of the organization, and details regarding children or vulnerable persons. The police then will use this information to determine if the position meets the legal requirement to conduct a vulnerable sector check.

So only in those circumstances will a vulnerable sector check be provided to the applicant, who will then have the option of providing that to the potential employer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.