The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has launched a national, publicly accessible High Risk Child Sex Offender Database, the first tool of its kind in Canada.
The database centralizes information on individuals who have been convicted of sexual offences against children and are deemed at high risk of reoffending. It includes only information that has already been made public by police services or other public authorities.
As of Jan. 21, no offenders from Alberta or Saskatchewan are currently listed on the database.
Administered by the RCMP, the database relies on provinces, territories, and municipal authorities to identify and recommend offenders for inclusion. Those jurisdictions are also responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information submitted.
Only offenders assessed as posing a high risk of committing further sexual crimes against children are included.
The RCMP says the database is intended to support investigations, prevent further offences, and help the public make informed decisions to protect children and vulnerable individuals.
What the database does – and does not do:
The database is not linked to the National Sex Offender Registry, which is governed by federal law and accessible only to police.
While the public can view the new database, any suspected breach of conditions by an individual listed must still be reported directly to local police.
The enabling legislation, the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act, came into force on Dec. 31, 2024, and required the RCMP commissioner to establish the system.
Federal and RCMP response:
In a written statement, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the database strengthens protections for children and communities.
“Children are amongst the most vulnerable members in our society, and our government is committed to keeping them safe. The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database will help to protect children and their communities from harm by providing law enforcement agencies with an additional tool to ensure appropriate monitoring of high-risk offenders as well as providing the public with verified information to support their personal safety,” he said.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said centralizing public notifications serves both the public and police.
“Protecting children from sexual offenses and exploitation is a responsibility we all share and is a priority for the RCMP. The importance of centralizing public notifications of high-risk child sex offenders is two-fold: it now provides Canadians with a tool to get informed and take appropriate precautions and it also helps the law enforcement community share information more seamlessly on offenders amongst themselves,” Duheme said.
He added the RCMP worked closely with provinces and territories to ensure the database provides value to communities across Canada.
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