For volunteers and coaches in Canadian sport, 2026-27, based on RCMP and Coaching Association of Canada guidance. Covers what a vulnerable sector check is, who requests it, how to get one, fingerprints, what is released, renewal and the screening pillar.
The RCMP defines it as a police information check plus a check to see whether a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences. It was created in 2000 to protect children and vulnerable persons and is governed by section 6.3(3) of the Criminal Records Act.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
It depends on the position, not the person. The RCMP says the nature of the position must give the person authority over, or trust of, children or vulnerable persons. Children means anyone under 18; vulnerable persons are people who, because of their age, disability or other circumstance, are more vulnerable than others. The hiring or volunteer organization decides whether to request a check, and the applicant gives consent but does not make the request.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
Not at the federal level. The RCMP states that no federal law requires any organization to run vulnerable sector checks, and suggests contacting your provincial or territorial government for more information. A police service may only run one if the position qualifies under the Criminal Records Act; the RCMP says it is an offence to run one if the position does not meet those requirements.
Sources: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks and https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/types-certified-criminal-record-checks
A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check for whether a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences. The RCMP's certified criminal record check is a different product, fingerprint-based, and for personal use its results go directly to the applicant; there is no option to send them to a third party. For a vulnerable sector check, the hiring or volunteer organization makes the request.
Sources: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks and https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/types-certified-criminal-record-checks
Outside British Columbia, you go through your local police service, the one where you live; the check is done by that service. In British Columbia, you follow the process of the BC Criminal Records Review Program instead. Your club (the volunteer organization) makes the request and you give your consent.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
The RCMP says the request needs:
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
Possibly. After the police service confirms the position is eligible, it runs a name-based search. The RCMP says that "in some cases you will be required to submit fingerprints to confirm your identity". If you apply for several positions that need a vulnerable sector check, you may need to submit fingerprints for each one.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
The RCMP says police search national databases maintained by the RCMP and local police records where you live. For private employment and volunteer positions, a check can release:
For provincial government employment, the same information plus youth information can be released.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
The RCMP says the requesting organization (the hiring company or volunteer organization) sets how often a check must be repeated. The Coaching Association of Canada says police information checks in sport screening should be done at regular intervals, without defining the interval.
Sources: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks and https://coach.ca/sport-safety/responsible-coaching-movement
Not automatically. The RCMP says each position requires its own check, so if you apply for different positions that need a vulnerable sector check, you may have to submit fingerprints separately for each. It also says results are only made available to organizations located in Canada.
Source: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/vulnerable-sector-checks
The Coaching Association of Canada's Responsible Coaching Movement has background screening as one of its three pillars (with the Rule of Two and ethics training). It describes screening as comprehensive background checks, reference checks, interviews and police information checks, done at regular intervals. The page does not set the interval and does not say which roles need which checks.
The Movement also encourages coaches and volunteers to take ethics training such as NCCP Make Ethical Decisions, Commit To Kids, Respect in Sport, Mental Health in Sport and NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment.
Source: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/responsible-coaching-movement