The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Manitoba government is moving to ensure criminals do not outrun their past, requiring applicants for changes of name to undergo fingerprinting. The new rules would require name-change applicants to submit to fingerprinting at designated law enforcement agencies throughout the province. Those agencies would forward the fingerprints and name-change information to the RCMP. If there is a match, the new name would be added to the individual's criminal record. If there is no match, the fingerprints would be destroyed. The new fingerprint rules, similar to those in B.C. and Alberta, would not apply to name changes resulting from marriages or divorces. Manitoba's rules would include youth but the province has asked for recommendations from senior officials on how they should apply to a youth who is changing a name. In exceptional circumstances, the fingerprint requirement would be waived when, for example, a name change is sought to ensure confidentiality for victims of domestic violence or stalking. "No longer will child sex offenders be able to hide their previous criminal histories when they are screened for employment or volunteer opportunities," said Lianna MacDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. "We applaud the Manitoba government for closing this loophole which will better protect Manitoba's children," "This new rule would ensure those attempting to elude detection through name changes will come to the attention of the RCMP when being dealt with in our communities," added Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson, commanding officer of RCMP 'D' Division. "The ability for the RCMP to quickly and accurately identify offenders and those participating in criminal activities who have criminal records is crucially important to law enforcement agencies in Manitoba and across Canada." Ð Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release.
