Misdemeanor (stealing) Affecting Employment?

Question

I'm asking this on behalf of a friend.

The person got caught for stealing at a local retail store. The total cost of the items stolen was somewhere around $60, and authorities were involved. The person got a date to appear in court, and is planning on pleading guilty. The person is also a minor (age 16).

What I want to know is: How will this affect their chances of employment?

I know that it probably won't matter after they turn 18, and would be wiped off their records. But the person is still a minor right now and is looking for a job. If future employers run a criminal background check, will it show up? Since it's just a misdemeanor.

Also, if the information helps: this took place all in Canada.

Answer 1

If this occurred in California, the probable answer is that because the record is sealed at 18 this will not adversely effect his future.  Please note that any further offenses could be escalated by a prior conviction even if sealed.

I am not sure how that would translate into Canadian law.  Our legal systems were both modeled on the British system but I cannot say how Canadian law has evolved differently than American law.  

Gut feeling is that if he completes his probation and the conviction gets sealed he should not have a problem with finding employment