The Canadian government has proposed that the cost of applying for a pardon be raised to $631, after only recently raising it from $50 to $150. Some people feel that those who commit crimes should have to pay for their own rehabilitation, whereas others feel that if getting a Canadian pardon proves too difficult or expensive, many will never be rehabilitated.
Quite interesting is the fact that, for pardoning criminal records, the price is under debate at the same time as the general requirements: Is the pardons process strict enough, or should it be made more difficult?
Raise the price? The Government claims it would offset the cost to the taxpayer – a claim that defies logic to some degree. Consider that taxpayers’ money is used to administer the justice system. Raising the cost of a pardon would prove prohibitive for many, most likely because their criminal records are currently preventing them from becoming gainfully employed. Not being gainfully employed results in the individual not being able to contribute to the public purse, and in some cases actually taking more away from it by relying on some form of public assistance.
Make the process more difficult? One might well wonder what end this would serve. People who are legally entitled to receive pardons and wish to be rehabilitated should not be further encumbered with more hurdles. These are people who are working hard and are contributing members of society. The Canadian pardon process is already fair and effective, although it requires accuracy and thoroughness both on the part of the Parole Board of Canada and the applicant. This is why many people seek the assistance of a Client Specialist to ensure accuracy and thoroughness to better guarantee success with their application.
The likelihood of the average person knowing and/or associating with someone who has a criminal record is actually very high. Many ordinary people have a minor conviction along with a criminal record in Canada. Most of these convictions are for trifling offences that are relatively easy to commit. To make pardons more expensive or more difficult to obtain would be harsh and counterproductive.