Why CIC asks questions B and J of Background Declaration if they ask for PCC?

[peter_67]

In Background Declaration Form:

Have you, or, if you are the principal applicant, any of your family
members listed in your application for permanent residence in
Canada, ever:
b)have you ever been convicted of, or are you currently charged with,
on trial for, or party to a crime or offence, or subject
of any criminal proceedings in any other country?
j)been detained, incarcerated or put in jail?

Why does CIC/VO ask these questions if they can check it with the PCC they request and doing background checks?

 

[mabmabs]

In Background Declaration Form:

Why does CIC/VO ask these questions if they can check it with the PCC they request and doing background checks?

If there is any conviction or crime, it will be mentioned in PCC

 

[peter_67]

If there is any conviction or crime, it will be mentioned in PCC

Yes, PCC mentions that. Then, why does CIC have to ask that question in the background form? (as it is something that can be verified by another document they request[PCC])

 

[fakenoob]

Yes, PCC mentions that. Then, why does CIC have to ask that question in the background form? (as it is something that can be verified by another document they request[PCC])

to test your honesty 8)

 

[hooba]

to test your honesty 8)

or maybe there is something else that they are trying to look for ! is it extra processing for mentioning a small detention ? who do they contact for the information ?

 

[21Goose]

Such questions are asked to get your answers on the record. This is important so that later on you can't claim that you didn't know you were supposed to provide information. If CBSA finds that you lied, you will be held responsible for misrepresentation. You are making a positive statement and cannot hide behind "I didn't know", or "I didn't understand".

Similarly, on the visa application for the US (and Canada, I think), it asks things like "Have you ever committed genocide", and "Have you ever participated in human trafficking".

If you say no, and later on they find reasonable grounds to believe that you have - you will be deported for misrepresentation, which is a much lower bar than proving criminal charges, which required proving stuff beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If you say yes, you obviously will need a heck of a good explanation to get a visa!