Canadian Police Certificate

[CalVdS]

Hi everyone,

on CIC's website it says you have to provide police checks for every country you lived in for more than 6 months since the age of 18. So far, so good.
However, when you go check on the countries, for Canada you find:

"Canada
Do I need to provide a police certificate when applying for permanent residence?
Only in certain cases. The Canadian visa office will tell you if you need a Canadian police clearance once your application is being processed." cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/canada.asp

Since I lived in Canada for a year, I might have to submit Canadian police certificates. The problem is twofold/
First, I have friends who are both going through the FSW process and who both lived with their families in Canada. One family didn't have to submit Canadian police certificates but the other had, although their circumstances of stay in Canada were identical. The one that had to submit was only told even after having done his medicals and after payment for Right of PR fee was charged on his CC. Since this slowed down the process considerably, I want to avoid it but:
1. How do I find out if I have to submit Canadian Police Certificates?
2. How does one obtain Canadian Police Certificate (this information is not on the website, as opposed to the procedure for most other countries that is listed?) .cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/europe/germany.asp (f.e.)

Anyone expericnce with this?
Kris

 

[marylatt]

I'd like to know this as well. I lived in Canada for six years! I hope somebody here can help us out.

I was under the impression that they'd check the RCMP files themselves, and that we didn't have to do it, but I'm not sure.

 

[jes_ON]

They will check the files based on your name, but some people may share a name with someone who has a record, then a finger-print based check is required. You won't know if you need one until informed by CIC (and you will receive instructions), but you CAN speed up the process considerably if you go for electronic based fingerprinting, for example, using a company like Commissionaires.

 

[CalVdS]

Aha, mystery solved! Thanks Jes_ON, appreciate it. Since I do'nt have a common last name, especially in Canada, I hope I will not have to go through this extra procedure.
How do I rate people on this forum (or do I have to be a full member first?)
Kris

 

[marylatt]

Great, so no need to have them done when applying, correct? Thanks so much! ;D