Living with a Criminal Record in Canada
To a certain extent, a criminal record is like an unwanted gift that simply keeps on giving no matter how hard you work to move forward in your life. More than 4.2 million Canadians have at least one criminal conviction, which means they must learn to live with the consequences of that record in many areas of their daily lives.
While there are many barriers that are well-known for those with a criminal record, there are also many obstacles that are all but hidden from the public view that these individuals must deal with frequently.
Housing
There is no rule in place for landlords prohibiting them from discriminating based on a criminal record. As housing applications must often include a background check, landlords are well within their rights to deny housing to anyone with a criminal background, regardless of what the convictions were and when they occurred.
Travel
Many countries, including Australia and the United States, have strict restrictions regarding travel with criminal convictions. To travel to the United States, you must plan ahead and obtain a U.S. waiver for even a day trip. The severity of restrictions in other countries is tied to the frequency of convictions or the type of crime committed.
Immigration
If you can’t visit other countries with a criminal background, you certainly can’t move there. Canada isn’t exempt from this rule. To enter Canada, you must be clear of any criminal records – no matter how minor the offense. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have similar immigration policies.
Study Visas and Education
Even if you never plan to leave Canada, you may be prevented from certain fields of study. Some educational programs require applicants to pass a background check prior to being accepted. This programs are usually professional programs that work with a more vulnerable population like children, the elderly or animals.
Volunteer Work
Many charity programs and volunteer opportunities are denying any help from those with criminal backgrounds, especially with the offenses might have an effect on the safety and security of the population being served. This is true for small volunteer jobs as well as roles like those on the board of directors.
Temporary Work or Employment
An increasing number of Canadian businesses are requiring background and criminal record checks for applicants. This not only forces those with decades old transgressions to reveal mishaps that are no longer relevant, that background check can keep the individual from getting a job he would otherwise be qualified for.
Professional Occupations and Licenses
To work in certain professions, you must have a license. These are careers where vulnerable individuals are affected by your work including nurses, lawyers, doctors, engineers, architects and social workers among many more. If you fail the criminal background check due to your previous convictions, you will be denied a license and a career.
Insurance
There are an increasing number of insurance companies denying coverage based on criminal records. In Canada, the results of a criminal record may include rising or sky-high rates or even being denied insurance coverage for years if the conviction was one involving impaired driving. The lack of insurance can affect other areas as well, especially if you must drive to your job.
Adoption
If an applicant has a criminal conviction in his or her background, even if it was decades ago, it will likely prohibit that individual from adopting a child. While this rule is to protect the safety of the child, it might also prohibit those with minor offenses or those who have moved on from their background from helping children in need.
Purchasing a Franchise
Purchasing a franchise or obtaining a liquor license require a criminal background check for the purchaser, the manager and other stakeholders. While there may be a slight chance of approval even with a criminal record, it is a lengthy process severely affected by previous transgressions.
Fortunately, there are ways to recover from a criminal background if you meet the right criteria. A criminal record suspension will effectively seal your previous record so that you are no longer affected by your past and can live the life you want to live in the present and future.
We can assist you with a Canada Pardon or U.S. Entry Waiver - we're here to answer any questions you may have.
