Giving up on volunteering; don’t need red tape

Editor:

I recently offered to volunteer at the Swift Current Museum.

I was interested in compiling information on historic topics from exhibition files, newspapers and other print materials, to facilitate public research.

I was informed that the City of Swift Current has a policy whereby all volunteers have to undergo a criminal record check, a vulnerable sector check and complete a ‘Safe Places’ course related to working with children and youth.

I started the process by completing a form at the local RCMP detachment.

When I returned to the depot the following day, I was shocked to hear that “there is a person with your identical name and date of birth, who has committed a serious criminal offence”. I was told that I would have to give my fingerprints to prove that I was not that person.

A couple of days later I told a friend about my experience and she said that her son (from a different community) was subjected to the same scrutiny, with a similar script.

It would appear that the RCMP, through its employees, issues statements in order to obtain fingerprint records of Canadians. Can DNA testing be far behind?

I wondered how my passport did not raise any red flags at multiple domestic and international airports over the past dozen years.

I did not continue with my volunteer application. I have lived, worked (25 years with City) and volunteered in Swift Current for over thirty years. I should not have to ‘prove my innocence’.

While I support efforts for safe communities, it should not be at the expense of common sense.

That may be what the City needs while seeking volunteers to assist with Hockey Day in Canada, the Western Canada Summer Games, and other initiatives worthy of a welcoming community.

Hugh Henry, Swift Current