Criminal Record Checks

Background Screening/ Criminal Record Checks

Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors Policy requires background screening (also known as a Criminal Record Check) of individuals involved in hockey who hold positions of trust. The policy is designed with the safety of all participants in mind. The policy requires that all staff members, volunteers and any other individuals involved in programs directly administered by Hockey Alberta, including the Officials Program, must complete background screening.

All on-ice officials and supervisors who are 19 years or older, as of December 31 of the current season, are required to complete Criminal Record Checks. A new Criminal Record Check is required every three seasons

THE PROCESS

In order to make this process as accessible and efficient as possible, Hockey Alberta has partnered with Sterling Talent Solutions. The benefits are:

  • A process that is completed online
  • Forgery-proof results returned within 1-2 business days
  • Results you can share with other organizations for free, at the click of a button

How Sterling Talent Solutions works:

  1. Go to Hockey Alberta’s landing page: backcheck.net/hockeyalberta
  2. Under Select a Role, click OFFICIAL.
  3. Under Select a Location/Position, click your Region location (for example, Central Region).
  4. Create your account, securely provide your information, and verify your ID online. In some cases, you may be unsuccessful in verifying your ID online. If that happens, please print and complete the ID verification and visit any Canada Post office with valid government-issued identification. In total, the process usually takes about 5-10 minutes.

That’s it!

Results will be returned to your account, and to Hockey Alberta, within 1-2 business days.

Hockey Alberta will contact you if follow-up is required.


 

A "POSITIVE" CHECK

When a positive check appears on a criminal record, a Hockey Alberta representative will contact the official to seek additional information. The official will have 21 days to dispute or clarify any information, or withdraw the application where no subsequent action will be taken. Applicants may be rejected as a result of other information gained through the criminal record check process or through the screening process, or as a consequence of other factors. Under this policy, the applicant has the right to know why s/he is being refused, and may appeal in writing the rejection of his/her application to the Chair of the Board of Hockey Alberta, or designate. Each official, once accepted, is obliged to inform the appropriate office if s/he is charged, or convicted of any offence that has been listed in this policy while they hold a position in Hockey Alberta.

Unacceptable Convictions

Applicants with the following Criminal Code convictions (or who do not have a clear vulnerable sector check) will not be considered for any position of trust.

  • Sexual Assault (in the past 10 years)
  • Assault on a child (child abuse)
  • Any sexual offence that involves a victim under the age of 18
  • Trafficking in illegal substances

Discretionary Convictions

Applicants with Criminal Code convictions on their criminal record check that are dated within five years of the application date and/or a criminal record conviction of certain offences may not be accepted for positions of trust. These offences include but are not limited to the following:

  • Driving convictions (Criminal Negligence, Impaired Driving, Driving with B/A Over .08, etc).
  • Drug offence convictions
  • Convictions of violent offences (Assault, Robbery, etc.)
  • Any physical assault involving family violence.
  • Property offence convictions (Fraud, Theft, etc.) Only to be considered if the position applied for involves the control of assets or finances of Hockey Alberta.

Criminal Charges

Applicants charged with certain offences may not be permitted to obtain or remain in positions of trust. These offences include but are not limited to the following:

  • Driving charges (Criminal Negligence, Impaired Driving, Driving with B/A Over .08, etc).
  • Drug offences
  • Charges of sexual assault or violent offences (Assault, Robbery, etc.)
  • Any physical assault involving family violence.
  • Property offence convictions (Fraud, Theft, etc.) Only to be considered if the position applied for involves the control of assets of the organization or in control of finances.
  • Assault on a child (child abuse)
  • Any sexual offence that involves a victim under the age of 18
  • Trafficking in illegal substances
 

APPEALS

If an individual disagrees with a decision by Hockey Alberta that the results of the Background Screening disqualify the individual from holding a position of trust, the individual has the right to appeal the decision. The appeal must be submitted in writing within seven days of receipt of the decision. The appeal will be heard within 30 days by a committee comprised of Referee Committee and Zone representatives, and Hockey Alberta representatives. The rationale for the decision must be made available to the committee prior to the meeting. Members and appeal committee members may attend the meeting in person or over the phone as the situation requires.

At the appeal meeting the appeal committee shall consider the following

  • Errors or omissions in the information submitted to the local police service
  • Length of time since offence(s)
  • Did the offense(s) involve children and/or sexual and/or violent and/or acts of dishonesty
  • Could the offense(s) committed lead to the public and/or Hockey Alberta to conclude that the safety and security or participants is threatened by the ongoing participation of the member.
 

FAQ

Q: Is every official in Alberta required to complete the screening?

A: All officials registered with Hockey Alberta, who are 19 years of age or older as of December 31 of the current season must complete the screening.

Q: What is the deadline for completion?

A: Background screening is a prerequisite to register for a clinic. NOTE: It may take up to 7 days to update your profile so you can register for a clinic. Don’t delay.

Q: What happens if I don’t complete the screening?

A: You will not be able to register for a clinic; therefore, you will not be eligible to officiate for Hockey Alberta.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: $25 (plus GST) for each official.

Q: How quickly are results returned?

A: Results are guaranteed within 1-2 business days after ID has been verified. Based on a clear result, Hockey Alberta will update your HCR profile within a week so you can register for a clinic.

Q: How often will I have to complete background screening?

A: For Hockey Alberta, new background screening is required every three seasons.

Q: How does Sterling Talent Solutions verify ID online?

A: Sterling Talent Solutions has partnered with TransUnion to ask applicants questions related to their credit history, as is done with online banking or changing your address online with Canada Post. Ninety per cent of applicants verify their ID online successfully. Those who are unsuccessful will need to complete traditional ID verification at any Canada Post office. This process is the same as would occur at a police station, but is more convenient due to more locations and extended hours of operation.

Q: Where does my information come from?

A: Screening results are provided by an authorized Canadian Police Agency. Sterling Talent Solutions works with police departments across Canada to obtain Name-based Criminal Record Checks conducted via the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).

Q: Why do I need to verify my identity?

A: Identity verification is required for all Criminal Record Checks. Sterling Talent Solutions provides you with electronic and physical ID verification options along with detailed instructions. Once your identity verification is complete and received, your check will be processed within 1-2 business days.

Q: Can I submit results from background screening completed for another organization?

A: Yes if the background screening was completed through Sterling Talent Solutions. Those results can be shared from your personal Sterling Talent Solutions account direct to Hockey Alberta. Results completed using any other process or company are not valid for Hockey Alberta.

Q: What payment methods are available for my background screening?

A: Payment is accepted online only using Visa or Mastercard. Pre-paid credit cards or debit cards ARE NOT accepted.

Q: What happens if my background screening indicates I have a criminal record, or a “positive check”?

A: Hockey Alberta’s policy defines Discretionary Convictions, Unacceptable Convictions, and Criminal Charges. If you have a “positive check” in your background screening, you will be contacted by a Hockey Alberta representative to review the results. A Discretionary Conviction or a Criminal Charge could result in you not being eligible to hold a position of trust with Hockey Alberta. An Unacceptable Conviction means you cannot hold a position of trust with Hockey Alberta.

Q: What offences are included under Unacceptable Convictions?

A: According to the Hockey Alberta Policy, conviction(s) for the following offences are considered Unacceptable, and will result in you being unable to hold a position of trust with Hockey Alberta:

  • Sexual Assault (in the past 10 years)
  • Assault on a child (child abuse)
  • Any sexual offence that involves a victim under the age of 18
  • Trafficking in illegal substances

Q: What if I disagree with a decision to disqualify me from holding a position of trust?

A: In accordance with Hockey Alberta Policy, you have the right to file a formal ‘objection’ to the disqualification and have Hockey Alberta complete a further review of the situation. All ‘objections’ must be submitted in writing within seven days of your receipt of the decision and must include detailed rationale as to why you should be considered for reinstatement. Consulting Officials Committee delegates, Hockey Alberta will review all submitted documentation and render a decision within 15 days of receiving the objection.