Chuck Mercier

Vice-President

About

Chuck Mercier, Vice-President, joined AllCleared in 2012 when the Canadian Government revamped the pardon system–making it more expensive and a much longer process. Mercier’s extensive knowledge of Canadian law, 32 years of police service, including time as the Deputy Chief of Durham Regional Police Service, and 4 years as Mayor of Scugog Township made him invaluable to AllCleared.

An established leader in public safety and local government, Mercier manages AllCleared’s external relationships and partnerships across Canada and the US. Drawing on his experience in law enforcement, Mercier recognizes the need to balance border security with the opportunity for individual rehabilitation. Mercier is an active advocate of streamlining the record suspension and immigration policies in a way which protects national interest while providing people living with criminal records an unencumbered way to start fresh.

As a life member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), Chuck is dedicated to promoting efficient law enforcement and to the protection and security of the people of Canada. As well as being a life member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), Chuck unites with police leaders across Ontario to share his ideas and cooperatively create solutions to meet the challenges facing police leadership.

Mercier is a Member of the Order of Merit, the Honorary Colonel of the Ontario Regiment, and a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to veterans.

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Joining All Cleared

Mercier’s was impressed with AllCleared’s mandate, approach, and its socially responsible business model. Mercier decided to lend his expertise on criminal rehabilitation and Canadian law to help AllCleared’s mission. Getting a record suspension (pardon) can be an arduous task and although a private company like AllCleared isn’t needed to handle a pardon AllCleared can help navigate the system to save time and ensure that everything is done correctly.

Border Security Issues

Mercier is also concerned about the effect enhanced border security has on people with past criminal records. Every year hundreds of people are turned away from the border for charges that are usually minor and occurred well in the past. For example, a marijuana charge dating from the 1960s can bar a senior citizen from crossing the border. The person would then need to apply for a US Entry Waiver.

The waiver process is similar in complexity and expense to the pardon application; however, it has to be repeated every six months to five years as long as the person plans to continue travelling. He’d like to see a more streamlined process to help Canadians visit our neighbours to the south when they pose no risk. For example, getting rid of some of the overlaps in screening done by authorities on both sides of the border could free up resources.

Importance of Rehabilitation

Mercier stays involved with the policing community. He recently attended the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Meeting on behalf of AllCleared, a Silver Sponsor of the event. Police understand most the importance of giving offenders an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and re-enter society. Rehabilitation has proven to reduce crime and turns criminals into taxpayers.