Regina won't screen candidates for criminal records

People running for office in Regina's 2012 municipal elections will not have to submit to criminal record checks.

Earlier this month, a city hall committee had recommended council proceed with mandatory checks in time for the Oct. 24 elections.

However, after considering details of how such a system might work, council rejected the proposal on Monday.

Proponents say the checks are a good idea because they'd let voters know if a candidate for council, school boards or mayor's office had been convicted of a criminal offence.

However, councillors heard the checks done by the Regina city police only confirm a criminal record — yes or no — and do not provide any details about the nature of the offence.

"I believe that caused some concern," City Clerk Jodi Swidnicki said.

Swidnicki also noted there's a 30-day waiting period to get a criminal record check, which could create other problems for people considering a run for office.

A mayoralty candidate, Jim Elliott, said in a news release that the proposal for criminal record checks had no rationale or benefit and deserved to be scrapped.