A New Beginning for Ex-Offenders
An ex-offender should be able to move on, start a new life, when a sentence for a conviction has been served: paid the fine, completed the sentence, met all conditions. A person should be able to feel unencumbered by the stigma of a criminal record. Nevertheless, that sentence will still “continue to be served” indefinitely by showing up in a criminal record check or background check – undertaken routinely nowadays by such people as potential employers, landlords, loans officers, volunteer organizers, and adoption agencies. A Canadian pardon (record suspension) will remove that stigma.
The Consequences of a Criminal Record Check
A background check is an important security measure to ensure a safe, secure environment for the workplace. Yet when it reveals the existence of a criminal record, it can become a personal nightmare. Almost always, an applicant is refused the job that he has interviewed so well for, the lease for the sought-after apartment will not be signed, a volunteer opportunity that would open doors will no longer be available.
Travel Complications
Even travel can be hampered, whether it be for pleasure or business, especially when attempting to enter the United States. It is illegal for a Canadian convicted of a criminal offence to cross the border. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) stores data on all criminal records and gives the US Customs and Border Protection Agency access to its files. Thus, travelers with a criminal record risk being detained at the border, not being allowed to cross, and possibly being arrested or having their vehicles confiscated.
A Path to Restoration: Record Suspension
A criminal record has therefore become a significant barrier to living a fulfilling life. However, once a period of time has passed after the completion of a sentence, a person is entitled to apply to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for a record suspension. Once granted, a record suspension will cause a record to be kept separate from the accessible CPIC database, “sealing” it, so that it will not be revealed in a background check. Also, a US entry waiver will help those who wish to travel to the United States. This document can be applied for even without having received a record suspension and will enable cross-border visits for both business and pleasure.
Getting Help with the Process
The process for obtaining these documents can be difficult and time-consuming, so seeking the help of a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada is advisable.
