Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
26 Upper Canada

Offence Declaration Forms

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 521/01, an “Offence Declaration” means, in respect of a board, a written declaration signed by the individual, listing all of the individual’s convictions for offences under the Criminal Code (Canada) up to the date of the declaration,

1. that are not included in a criminal background check collected by the Ontario College of Teachers after December 31, 1998 or in the last criminal background check collected by the board under this Regulation; and

2. for which a pardon under section 4.1 of the Criminal Records Act (Canada) has not been issued or granted.


OSSTF GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING OFFENCE DECLARATIONS
1. If you have pleaded guilty to a Criminal Code Offence but received an absolute or conditional discharge then you have NOT been convicted of the offence(s) and they do NOT have to be divulged.

2. If you have pleaded guilty to, or were convicted of, a drug offence under the Controlled Drug & Substances Act, or the former Food & Drugs Act, or Narcotics Act, then you need NOT divulge such conviction.

3. If you have been convicted of …
  o an offence under the Provincial Offences Act, (ie. breach of the Environmental Protection Act, Gaming Act, etc.); or
  o an offence under the Highway Traffic Act, such as careless driving; or
  o an offence under the Firearms Act or Regulations; or
  o an offence under the Customs Act; or
  o a Criminal Code offence as a Young Offender you need NOT divulge such conviction.

4. If you have been convicted of a criminal offence outside of Canada, whether in the United States or elsewhere, you are under no obligation to divulge such fact.


Individuals may apply for a pardon three years after the completion date of the sentence for a summary conviction. A pardon means that the pardoned offence is not reported in a criminal records check. For further information contact the Government of Canada National Parole Board http://www.npb-cnlc.gc.ca/pardons/pardon_e.html .

DO NOT PROVIDE A FALSE DECLARATION!  IF YOU DO,
THE EMPLOYER IS ENTITLED TO TAKE SERIOUS DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT YOUR OBLIGATION TO DIVULGE A CONVICTION FOR ANY OFFENCE
YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WHO WILL ASSIST YOU.