The Record Suspension review is underway and you can have your say. Canadians have until December 16 to take part in a public consultation. In 2012 the government changed the rules to make it harder and more expensive to get a Record Suspension. Today the Liberal government is looking on dialing back some of those “tough on crime” measures.
Pardon Services Canada supports the Record Suspension review because we know from experience that the majority of records are for minor offences. We all make mistakes. In fact, one in eight Canadians have a criminal record. As we age, we mature. We become less likely to engage in rash or impulsive behaviour. It doesn’t make sense to keep someone away from opportunities in education, career, volunteering and travel, for incidents that are in the past.
Many people tell us about how a criminal record has affected them when they contact us. They feel worried when they apply for jobs and promotions. It limits their income and they can’t afford the things they need for their kids or the training they need to upgrade their skills. They can’t volunteer at events at their children’s schools. Sometimes colleges and universities bar them from certain programs. Not only does this affect the person with the record, it also affects their families.
Effects of a Record Suspension
A pardon can make all the difference. Clients are finally able to find work without anxiety about submitting to a record check. We’ve had clients who enrolled in social work, law enforcement and health care programs. One former client, who was pressured into drug dealing by an abusive ex-boyfriend, says she now uses her social work degree to help women in similar situations. Without a Record Suspension it would not have been possible for her to apply her life experience to improving the lives of others.
Looking at the government’s latest consultation can give some idea of what the task force might be considering. While the first consultation looked at a tiered system with different people paying different fees, now the government seems to focus on the ease of the process itself and on public opinion.
Record Suspension review topics
Here are some topics that feature in the latest consultation:
- Do you prefer the term “pardon” or “Record Suspension”?
- Should there be some offences that are not eligible for a Record Suspension?
- Is the wait time too long?
- Is the process to apply for the Record Suspension too hard?
- What should the criteria be?
- Should authorities reveal a suspended record in some cases, for example, a Vulnerable Sector check?
- Should there be certain criminal records that are spent after a certain period of time? (In other words, the criminal record disappears if the person does not reoffend.)
If you have opinions on how the Record Suspension process should be run, please, take the time to fill out the government’s survey. It should only take 10-15 minutes.
It could make a huge difference in the lives of many Canadian families. Also sign our petition at Lift the Burden to request a fair pardon system.
I received my 3rd five year waiver in the summer. This took about 19 months to get it. This is a very frustrating process to go thru. It is a slow, expensive,embarrassing and anxious process. The crime that I did was wrong and stupid. I did not go to jail for what I did.I have paid dearly for what I did. I lost a good job, most of my friends and the embarrassment of it all. I do not have a criminal record anymore. My own country has forgiven me, why can’t the United States do the the same. I realize that they are protecting their borders but when is enough,enough. I can go anywhere in the world without a waiver except to the United States. On the waiver it does say what crime was commited so border guards do not know what it is that you did. I hope Homeland Security can take a closer look at the waiver situation. I have been going to the United States for 61 years and love their beautiful country. We have relatives and friends in the United States and like to visit from time to time. I don’t know how you can punish someone for the rest of their lives as I and many others have paid their dues.
,,
Hi William, Thank you for sharing your story. Yes, it is too bad that the Waiver process is so onerous for so many people given that Canada and the United States are such close partners in a lot of things. They used to have a permanent waiver. Unfortunately, the maximum is now five years.
Hi Paul,
I’m totally frustrated by the length of time it’s taken me to receive my pardons for a minor offence in 2008!!
Just 3 months short of receiving result of my pardons process, the new law commenced and I was to wait another 2 years. This I feel is wrong, but kept quiet as I knew I had no choice. Pardons co in Ontario then proceeded with the pardon procedure but it was a long non-communicative process where so many of my polite inquiries were disregarded. I have been unable to teach here in Canada or overseas ever since.
Then early this year 2016, I received an email from a Vancouver based Pardons company stating the original pardons company no longer existed and that I was referred to them ….and had to start the pardons process all over again…paying 3x as much as the original company in 2011.
With prompt and communicative service,
I now sit and wait another 6 months to a year for the final stage, the governmental decision…..I only hope they don’t notice that on the RCMP official Record check, my name was misspelled….Uggg!!
I’ve learned to have patience and gratitude for all my loving friends and family who have supported me and felt compassion towards my journey.
Best regards and thanks for giving me a chance to voice.
Hi Suzan,
Sorry to hear that the process of getting your record sealed has been so long and frustrating. Hopefully you will hear back from the Parole Board soon and will be able to move forward with your career.
just a suggestion, after 20 years,( i had no choice but to plea guilty because of no funds to travel.) the pardon should be automatically pardoned(record suspension)to the individual. and that individual only has one criminal record.(go figure)
Hi Fabian, Yes, that is a good suggestion. In fact many countries, such as the UK, have such a system. A criminal record shouldn’t stay with you forever.
Due to a death in the family this statement may be somewhat late.
The great thinkers of civilization such as Jesus Christ, Dalai Lama and Gandhi have all emphasized the idea of forgiveness. In Canada we look down upon individuals, especially in other countries, who extend violence through acts of revenge through excessive justice by brainwashing and torture. Historically there have been many governments that rely on this approach. In Canada, the last decade, we have somewhat followed down the same legislative path forgetting that “violence begets violence”. Careful study has shown that the higher level of education within a culture the less violence occurs. Everybody knows the level of violence that occurs in jails could be viewed as an environment allowing for legal murder and punishment within those confines. The reduction of rehabilitation the last two decades, especially for men, has been an emphasis generated by right wing and conservative governments leaving each human like broken eggs. The alleviation of pardons has not been physical but definitely has generated a damaging psychological approach towards those who have broken the law. And yet, this recent lack of pardons has been a condemnation on all of our common humanity. It infers that humans are unable to learn from their mistakes and therefore are need to be punished for the rest of their lives. Such abandonment is a condescending verdict that allows no future hope for all of mankind. Such short term thinking alleviates positive long term gains for change. Yes, I know that dealing with people who physically hurt others requires a judgment well beyond my capability. The individuals whom commit these offences should be getting rehabilitation though before they be granted a pardon. Other offences, that have not directly engaged others, I know for sure individuals can learn from and ensure a better person will evolve. By granting pardons we can learn better gain the possible integration of those individuals who have fallen from grace for a first time. All of this allows for a much more positive hope for each other. Until recently this viewpoint of humanity has historically been part of Canada’s heritage. As Canada’s best poet, Leonard Cohen once said “there’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in”.
Hi Steve, Thanks for sharing your insight. Please consider signing our petition at lifttheburden.ca asking for a more fair and accessible pardon system.