A national database containing information on high-risk child sex offenders was launched at the start of this year. The RCMP stated that the database will expand as provinces and territories suggest additional names for inclusion.
The initiation of the database in January 2026 followed the enactment of legislation by the federal government, which came into effect on December 31, 2024, mandating the RCMP to create such a database.
According to Supt. Caroline Stewart from the RCMP’s behavioural sciences investigative services, the database serves as a centralized repository for details about offenders considered at high risk of reoffending. Stewart emphasized that the information in the database is the same as what was previously available to the public.
The primary objective of the database is to offer the public a tool to make informed decisions to safeguard themselves and their families. It is distinct from the National Sex Offender Registry, which is accessible only to law enforcement and pertains to offenders convicted of specific sex crimes who are required by the courts to report annually to the police.
As of the end of March, the public database listed 14 offenders, with 10 in Manitoba, two in Alberta, and one each in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. Stewart mentioned that the RCMP is collaborating with all provinces and territories to ensure the inclusion of all eligible offenders.
By early March, the database had received approximately 700,000 views. A cautionary message displayed at the top of the page warns against misusing the information for harmful purposes, as it could lead to criminal prosecution.
Charles Kooger, the coordinator for Circles of Support and Accountability South Saskatchewan, expressed skepticism about the database’s efficacy in protecting the public. He acknowledged the utility of databases but believed they would have minimal impact in preventing reoffenses.
Kooger highlighted the potential misuse of the database by individuals with vigilante inclinations seeking to target listed individuals. The RCMP plans to conduct annual reviews of the listings and has requested updates from provinces and territories to reflect any changes in information.
Offenders meeting specific exclusion criteria, such as having a record suspension or final acquittal, being incarcerated again, or deported, can request a review of their information. The level of detail provided for each offender in the database varies based on publicly released information by the respective province or territory.