Pillar Nonprofit Network’s written submission on the proposed amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act highlights the ongoing burden of police record checks in the vulnerable sector. Fees associated with police record checks can create barriers for individuals who are unemployed or experiencing poverty, limiting their ability to volunteer. Vulnerable sector checks account for approximately 80 per cent of all police record checks conducted annually by municipal police services. Removing these fees would help reduce barriers to volunteer participation and strengthen community engagement.
Ontario is home to one of the most vibrant and engaged communities, with residents who are willing to give their time and skills through volunteering. Close to half of Ontario residents (42%) volunteer, contributing approximately 614 million volunteer hours, according to 2021 data (Ontario Nonprofit Network). However, the volunteer landscape has shifted significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volunteers remain essential to the nonprofit sector workforce. Approximately 41% of Ontario nonprofits rely on volunteers, yet 42% report challenges with recruiting and retaining them (State of the Sector Survey, 2025). Fees associated with the vulnerable sector police record checks are contributing to declining volunteer participation in the London region.
The Burden of Police Record Checks
While police record checks play an important role in ensuring safety, they can also present a significant barrier for prospective volunteers, particularly individuals who have had negative experiences with law enforcement. Pillar Nonprofit Network is concerned that expanded police record check requirements may further discourage them from volunteering, with long-term implications for volunteer engagement across Southwestern Ontario.
In addition, fees for police record checks can be a barrier for individuals who are unemployed or have low incomes. This concern was also shared by youths and older adults in a recent community consultation: Reducing Barriers to Volunteerism and Supporting Youth and Older Volunteers in Their Neighbourhoods in London, Ontario. Many nonprofit organizations operate in vulnerable sectors and rely heavily on volunteers such as youth, students, newcomers seeking Canadian work experience and community connections, and seniors who want to give back to their communities. These groups are finding it difficult to cover the costs of fees for the vulnerable sector checks.
Recommendation
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Reduce the cost of volunteering by reviewing and removing fees for vulnerable sector police record checks, which account for approximately 80 per cent of all police record checks conducted annually by municipal police services.