More than one million Ontarians with criminal records face barriers to employment that hurt both workers and the provincial economy, according to a new report from the John Howard Society of Ontario.
The report, released today, found that unemployment rates among people recently released from incarceration are nearly five times higher than the general population. Black and Indigenous job seekers with criminal records face even steeper challenges, with unemployment rates of 60 per cent and 54 per cent respectively, the society said.
“When people leave jail and cannot rejoin the workforce, it harms not only them and their families but also the province’s economy,” said Christin Cullen, the society’s chief executive officer. “Employment reduces reoffending rates, supports reintegration and promotes public safety.”
Four barriers block hiring
The report, titled “Sentenced to Unemployment: The workforce exclusion of Ontarians with criminal records,” identifies four systemic issues preventing employment: legalized discrimination, blanket record check policies, internet searches that fuel stigma, and underfunded specialized supports.
The study drew on consultations with more than 50 experts, including people with lived experience, employment service providers, lawyers and policy professionals, according to the society.
“Across Ontario, we found widespread stigma and unfounded misconceptions about individuals with criminal records,” said Safiyah Husein, director of policy at the society. “This is impacting hiring decisions and leading organizations to steer clear of hundreds of thousands of qualified candidates with criminal records.”
Report recommends legal changes
The society recommends four solutions to address employment barriers:
Legislative changes: Amend the Employment Standards Act to guide when and how record checks are used in hiring
Human rights updates: Update the Ontario Human Rights Code to prohibit discrimination based on a broader definition of “police record”
Right to be forgotten: Create a process allowing people to have outdated online information about their past removed
Targeted programs: Invest in back-to-work supports for people with criminal records, focusing on Black and Indigenous communities
The society launched the Fair Chances Hiring Coalition with private sector partners to advance equity and opportunity for all Canadians, according to the report.
“Access to decent work is a human right – and we know that having a job is one of the most important factors to reduce the risk of people reoffending,” said Elizabeth McIsaac, president of Maytree, which funded the research.
The John Howard Society of Ontario operates more than 80 programs and services across the province focused on prevention, intervention and reintegration in the criminal justice system, according to the organization.
