as far as i know, once your fingerprints are taken for whatever reason, it stays on record indefinitely.
That is not exactly true. The CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) operated by the RCMP holds all records relating to finger prints, criminal records, criminal charges, pardons, discharges and other information.
A finger print would only be taken if a person is charged with an indictable or hybrid offense (not summary). Should the charge resolve in a conviction. The record stays within the system unless one of the following occurs:
- a person reaches 80 years of age and has no new reported criminal activity within the past 10 years
- a person reaches 100 years of age
- a person is deceased
Should the charge be withdrawn or stayed (not the same as acquittal), the record stays within the system for 5 years for non-violent charges.