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CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
The CRC policy applies to the following groups attending GOV:
BCAAFC Staff
PIYC Members
Elder’s Council
Chaperones
Youth 18+
(as of March 1, 2026)
GOV criminal record checks need to be received by BCAAFC before March 4, 2026.
Due to the huge number of registrants and participants, a current (dated anytime AFTER January 1, 2024) and clean/clear CRC-VSC must be completed and sent to BCAAFC prior to arrival at GOV.
Please note that criminal record checks can take months to process, so we recommend submitting your CRC-VSC as soon as you are confirmed to attend GOV.
If you arrive at GOV without your CRC-VSC being complete or clean, you will not be able to stay and you will not be issued a refund.
Find out how to submit your CRC below:
- If you do not have a current and clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, please work with your employer to get one at your local police department (or see if they have an online process). Review the guidelines and requirements of your local police department. Your employer may be required to provide a letter outlining why you need a Vulnerable Sector Check- it is required because you will be providing unsupervised care for vulnerable people (ie. youth). The cost for a CRC-VSC is usually about $70, but please confirm with your local police station. BCAAFC and Gathering Our Voices are not responsible for costs related to the CRC requirement.
- Once you have an up-to-date CRC-VSC, please work with your employer to complete this form: CRC_Confirm_Form_v1. The form is what you will send to the GOV team as proof of your CRC-VSC (we do not need a copy of the actual CRC-VSC).
- Your GOV Account will be updated to reflect your group’s CRC status once the form is received (please allow up to a week for your account to be updated; the group owner will receive an email confirmation once the CRC status is updated).
- If you do not have a current and clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, please go to your local police department to obtain one (or see if you can submit one online). If they require you to provide a letter outlining why you need a Vulnerable Sector Check, BCAAFC can provide this letter. Email the GOV Registration Coordinator at [email protected] with your full legal name (as it appears on your ID) and they will provide youwith a letter: It typically costs about $70 to obtain a CRC-VSC; BCAAFC and Gathering Our Voices are not responsible for costs related to the CRC requirement. Once you have your CRC-VSC, please follow the instructions below.
- Once you have a copy of your CRC-VSC, email a copy to the Registration Coordinator at [email protected].
- The Registration Coordinator will use the CRC-VSC to update your information in the GOV App, and will then destroy the copy received. BCAAFC does not retain CRCs for GOV attendees.
- Your GOV Account will be updated to reflect your group’s CRC-VSC status once the form is received (please allow up to a week for your account to be updated; the group owner will receive an email confirmation once the CRC-VSC status is updated).
- If you do not have a current and clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, please work with your youth worker to get one at your local police department. Review the guidelines and requirements of your local police department. Your host agency may be required to provide a letter outlining why you need a Vulnerable Sector Check- it is required because you will be providing unsupervised care for vulnerable people (ie. youth). It costs about $70 to obtain a criminal record check; BCAAFC and Gathering Our Voices are not responsible for costs related to the CRC-VSC requirement.
- Once you have a CRC-VSC (or a copy), please give it to the chaperone responsible for your GOV Group and they will ensure GOV organizers have the confirmation required.
- If you do not have a current and clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, go to your local police department to obtain one (or contact them to see if they accept online submissions). You may be required to provide a letter outlining why you need a Vulnerable Sector Check. BCAAFC can provide this letter. Email the GOV Registration Coordinator at [email protected] with your full legal name (as it appears on your ID) and they will send you a letter.
- Once you have a copy of your CRC, please email a copy to the Registration Coordinator: [email protected].
- The Registration Coordinator will use the CRC-VSC to update your information in the GOV App, and will then destroy the copy received. BCAAFC does not retain CRCs for GOV attendees.
- Your GOV Account will be updated to reflect your group’s CRC status once the form is received (please allow up to a week for your account to be updated; the group owner will receive an email confirmation once the CRC-VSC status is updated).
FAQs
No. Only those who are 18 or older as of March 1, 2026 need to submit a CRC-VSC. Enjoy your GOV birthday!
Yes! Anyone 18 years of age or older as of March 1, 2026 needs to complete a CRC-VSC.
Yes! As part of our safety plan, all chaperones are required to submit a CRC, Vulnerable Sector Check. Please see above for instructions.
Yes! As part of our safety plan we require all chaperones must have a clear CRC-VSC. Please see the instructions above.
We have a comprehensive safety plan that guides staff, volunteers, chaperones and all members of GOV in the event of major emergencies and incidents. We hire trained security and medical personnel, and all BCAAFC staff complete first aid and Naloxone training. Chaperones play a key role in ensuring delegate safety and we provide chaperone orientations in the lead up to GOV. GOV is a closed event, and registered participants can attend GOV events. Facilitators, volunteers, artisans, and exhibitors are not permitted to be alone with any youth delegates. GOV is a substance free event.
Please let us know so that we can make sure to properly match up the CRC we have with your GOV account info! You can email the GOV registration coordinator at [email protected].
You will be asked to provide personal information, including your birth date and place of birth, and your home addresses for the past five years. You will be asked for a government issued piece of photo ID (Driver’s licence, Passport, BC Services Card). If you are applying online, you will need to upload a scan of this document.
The CRC-VSC must be received by the BCAAFC office no later than March 4, 2026.
Our information storage and security policy prevents us from being able to share copies of CRCs with individuals. CRCs are a highly confidential document and the best way we can ensure security of information is to not share these documents.
No, unfortunately we do not keep CRCs for attendees at previous GOVs.
The CRCs received are kept on file until one month after Gathering Our Voices, at which time they will be permanently deleted. They are kept in a secure file maintained by the GOV registration coordinator. After the Registration Coordinator reviews a CRC they update the GOV App and file to note that it has been received.
In cases where the CRC received indicates that the individual may not have a clear/clean CRCs the Registration Coordinator will reach out to you directly to discuss.
Please reach out to the registration coordinator and let them know with your full legal name and what police department you went to.
You will not be able to attend GOV and will not be entitled to a refund.
Different police departments handle CRC requests in different ways. Check out their website or call their non-emergency number for more information.
No. In cases where you are attending as a representative of an organization/nation/employer, etc. this expense is most often covered by the organization/nation/employer, etc.
Need Help?
If you need help, please reach out to Jean Wylie, Registration Coordinator at [email protected]. Please provide as much information as possible. We have 3000 people attending GOV in some capacity so the more information you include the better! Note in the subject line “CRC help”. We are here to help you in any way we can to ensure you enjoy your time at GOV.