Having a youth record can impact a young person in three major areas. The first is when a youth is applying for a job or a volunteer position that requires a police record check. For example, a youth’s record may be disclosed when a security clearance is necessary for a job with the Government of Canada, a provincial government or a municipality (section 119(1)(o)). Employers other than the government who want to see the record have to make a formal request in youth justice court and convince the judge that they have a “substantial interest” in the record.
Some employers ask youth themselves to make the request to the police for their records. Young people are allowed to access their own records. When employers ask the young person to “voluntarily” provide their own record (or proof that they have no record), the youth can either agree to or refuse this request. The employer will then have to decide how to proceed with the application.
A youth record can also affect a youth who wants to attend university, college or trade school. Many types of education programs require people to provide their record, or proof that they do not have a record before that person will be admitted into the program. Depending on the type of program and kinds of offences in the youth record, the young person may find that they will not be admitted into the program of their choice.
A youth record may impact someone who wants to travel. A record does not affect the ability to travel within Canada. But if a person wants to travel outside of Canada, there are a number of things to think about.
Every country has its own rules about visitors with police (criminal/youth) records. It is recommended that people with police records from their youth who want to visit a foreign country contact the country’s consulate or embassy to get information about that country’s practice or entry standards.
United States Customs officers have access to Canada’s CPIC system. Customs officials use the CPIC system to see if people trying to cross the border have police (criminal) records.