At Pardon Services Canada, we deal with people from all walks of life. The one common element that some of them share is the burden of a criminal record. In order to move on with their lives, they need to obtain a Canadian pardon (record suspension), which opens up a myriad of opportunities.
Here a number of advantages that people realize when they remove their record:
Peace of mind: The most important reason to remove your criminal record is to take that weight off your shoulders once and for all. Relax and simply move on with your life, at long last.
Family vacations: Wouldn’t you like to take your family somewhere other than Canada? With your criminal record removed, and a US entry waiver obtained, you can travel without hindrance to places you have only dreamed of till now.
Self-forgiveness: We are hardest on ourselves. If you are in a position to be forgiven by the law, your society and the world, surely it is time to forgive yourself as well.
Some adages make more sense
- To err is human, to forgive, divine. [Alexander Pope, Essay on Criticism]
- Forgiveness is better than revenge. [Pittacus of Mitylene, Heraclitus]
- I pardon him as God shall pardon me. [William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King Richard the Second (King Henry at V, iii)]
- The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. [Gandhi]
- Forgive thyself little, and others much. [Leighton]
- Always forgive your enemies–nothing annoys them so much. [Oscar Wilde]
Lesson from history: When George Washington was young, he chopped down a mature cherry tree in his backyard. When asked if he had done it, he said to his father: “I cannot tell a lie …I did cut it with my little hatchet.” The tale is famous because it not only told of the importance of truth and honesty, but also the folly found within every man, and the forgiveness we all gain over time. This young boy overcame the stigma of a small transgression to become the most powerful man of his day.
A new leaf: People change. While we may have been more reckless and wild in our youth, we mellow with age, we mature, and we become more responsible. To carry a stigma throughout your entire life from the indiscretions of your youth is unfair and unnecessary. Without record suspensions, there would be no forward progress.
Privacy: In some provinces, one person can explicitly request another person’s criminal record. Your business should be your business, especially if you have already completed your sentence – whatever it was. With a record suspension, your criminal record will be hidden, your past forgotten and inaccessible.
Closure: Simply knowing that you have a criminal record can be a stressful burden. It can create tension, both real and imagined, with family, friends, and loved ones. With your criminal record removed once and for all, you can breathe easy again.
A good night’s sleep: Worrying about the ramifications of a having a criminal record can keep you up at night. Will my boss find out? Should I tell my family? How will I cross the border? Will they know? Is it really worth it? If you have our record removed once and for all, you will be able to rest easy.
Canadian citizenship: If you are not a Canadian citizen, you still can have a Canadian criminal record. This can be a problem if you have been waiting for your citizenship papers to come through, or if you have loved ones in the country dependent on you. It is impossible to gain citizenship with a criminal record, unless, of course, you acquire a record suspension first. If you are a landed immigrant and you get a record, you could be faced with deportation. Don’t let this happen. Contact Pardon Services Canada first.
Everyday hassles: If you are pulled over by the police for any reason, they can run your name and see that you have a criminal record, no matter when it happened. Customs officers also have access to your record; even if you attempt to cross the border to shop, they can see everything.
Education: More and more programs require that you complete a criminal record check before applying. A record suspension can keep your files separate and apart so that your record will not appear in a search and you can further your education based on your merits.
Adoption: You may not be allowed to adopt a child if you have a criminal record. Often, people are not aware of this stipulation and find out too late that their record is in the way. It is best to remove your record far in advance, to keep the door open for the future.
Finally bury that skeleton: Many people live with a criminal record as if it were a skeleton in a closet. They just want to pretend it isn’t there. Unfortunately, sometimes your past can come back to haunt you, and often at the most inappropriate times. Family vacations, business trips to the US, and nosy people prying can bring a forgotten record back to life. Sometimes, it’s easier to just have it gone – for good.
Future employment: Many employers ask for a background check before you begin working. In this uncertain market, it is advisable not only to have an updated resume, but also to take the time to have your record removed so that you do not eliminate yourself from future opportunities or from advancement.
“Spot checks” at the workplace: Companies are known to cull the heard. It is becoming more common for employers to do a criminal background check on their current employees. Overnight, you could lose your job. It happens.
Bondability: There are many jobs that require an employer to take insurance out on their employees. Security agencies, banks, even most moving companies will ask that you be bonded. While having a criminal record may not prevent you from getting the job outright, it is more expensive for an employer to bond you, so they may choose to go with the other candidate simply because he/she does not have a record (or has already had that record removed!).
Volunteering: You may not be able to volunteer for many worthy causes with a criminal record. With a record suspension, your record will be sealed and you will be able to maintain your social responsibilities.
International travel: Canada is a nation of diverse people. While our country is truly fantastic, do not limit yourself from seeing the world! You may not be able to travel outside Canada with a criminal record.
Now just think: How many things on this list apply to you. Even if you do not have a criminal record, chances are that you know someone who does. Either way, there is great news. Pardon Services Canada can help you. Actually, we guarantee that you will get a record suspension – or refund your money. Our success rate is 99 %. If you are serious about taking the next step, or you need more information, call us now: 1-8-NOW-PARDON.