Scott Gillingham Commits to Free Criminal Record Checks for Winnipeg Volunteers

Scott Gillingham has committed to making volunteer criminal record checks free for eligible Winnipeg residents if he is re-elected as mayor.

Winnipeg currently charges $65 for a volunteer criminal record check — the highest fee among major Canadian cities. Many Canadian municipalities provide the service to volunteers at no charge.

“Winnipeg is powered by people who give their time to help others,” said Gillingham. “Someone who is ready to coach a team, support a community organization or help a neighbour should not have to pay $65 just to volunteer.”

Approximately 6,500 Winnipeggers obtain criminal record checks for volunteer purposes each year. Eliminating the fee would make it easier for residents to volunteer and help nonprofit and community organizations recruit the people they need.

“Volunteers are the backbone of Winnipeg’s nonprofit sector, but even small financial barriers can prevent people from getting involved,” said Ashley Seymour, Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba. “Removing criminal record check fees for volunteers would make it easier for community organizations to recruit the volunteers they rely on, helping to strengthen essential programs and services that improve the lives of Winnipeggers every day.”

Many organizations currently cover the cost of criminal record checks for their volunteers. For organizations operating on donations and limited budgets, those costs take funding away from programs and services.

“Community organizations should be able to put their resources into serving people, not paying administrative fees for someone who is offering to help,” said Gillingham. “This is a practical change that will support volunteers, strengthen community organizations and help more Winnipeggers get involved.”

If re-elected, Gillingham would establish a voucher program allowing eligible volunteer organizations to provide free criminal record checks to Winnipeg residents volunteering with them. The City would replace the lost fee revenue so there is no impact on Winnipeg Police Service operations.

Work would begin immediately following the election, with the goal of launching the program as early as May 2027 and no later than January 1, 2028, through the City’s multi-year budget process.

The program would apply to Winnipeg residents who require a criminal record check for an eligible volunteer position. It would not cover employment-related criminal record checks, RCMP checks required by some organizations, or checks for people who live outside Winnipeg.

The commitment is part of Gillingham’s re-election platform to deliver practical improvements that make it easier for Winnipeggers to contribute to their communities and help move the city forward.