Originally published: July 31, 2023, Updated: May 8, 2024Have past convictions been holding you back? Do you want to reclaim control of your life and your future with a record pardon? Don't let past convictions hold you back any longer. Continue reading for 20 reasons to remove your record.
#1: International travel
Canada is a diverse 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 of Canada with a criminal record.
#2: Volunteering
You may not be able to volunteer for many worthy causes with a criminal record. With a pardon, your record will be sealed and you will be able to maintain your social responsibilities.
#3: "Spot Checks" At The Workplace
Companies are known to cull the herd. 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. Get a pardon.
#4: Future Employment
Many employers ask for a background check before you begin working. Positions may ask that you be “bonded,” which means that you must have no record on file. In this uncertain market, it is advisable to not only have an updated resume but take the time to have your record expunged so that you do not eliminate yourself from new or future opportunities or advancement.
#5: Finally Bury That Skeleton
Many people live with a criminal record as if it is a skeleton in a closet. They don't want to talk about it. They just want to pretend it isn't there at all. Unfortunately, sometimes your past can come back to haunt you, and often at the most inappropriate times. Family vacations, business trips to the United States, and nosy people prying can bring a forgotten record back to life. Sometimes, it's easier to just have it gone – for good.
#6: 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 your doors open for the future.
#7: To Get Rid of The Ball and Chain
A criminal record can follow you for life. It can weigh heavy on your mind. It can cost you sleep. It is just one more thing to worry about. Many of our clients feel as if they have had a great weight lifted from their shoulders when their record was cleared.
#8: 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 you to 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 with a record, so they may choose to go with the other candidate simply because he/she does not have a record (or already had their record removed!)
#9: Education
More and more programs require that you complete a criminal record check before applying. A pardon can keep your files separate so that your record will not appear in a search and you can further your education based on your merits.
#10: 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 cross the border to go shopping, they can see everything. With a pardon, these records are removed from view and awkward explainable situations are eliminated.
#11: 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 pardon first. If you are a landed immigrant and you get a record, you could be faced with deportation. Don’t let this happen. Contact us first.
#12: 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 your record expunged once and for all, you will be able to rest.
#13: 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 record removed once and for all, you can breathe easy again.
#14: 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 pardon, your record will be hidden, and your past forgotten and inaccessible.
#15: 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. It is unfair and unnecessary to carry a stigma throughout your entire life from the indiscretions of your youth. Forgiveness is forgiveness, and people are allowed to learn and grow. Without pardons, there would be no forward progress.
#16 Lesson From History
When George Washington was young, he chopped down a mature cherry tree in his backyard. His father was furious, and when asked if he had done it, he said: "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.
#17: Some Sayings/Quotes Make More Sense Now
Some famous quotes surround the issue of pardons and forgiveness.Here are a few:"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
#18: Self Forgiveness
We are hardest on ourselves. If you are in a position to be forgiven by the law, your society, and the world, it is time to forgive yourself as well. Removing your record will erase that part of your past, and the darkness on your mind, once and for all.
#19: Family Vacations
Wouldn't you like to take your family somewhere other than Canada? With your criminal record expunged, and waiver for the US organized, you can travel without hindrance to places you have dreamed of traveling to.
#20: 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.
How Can I Get a Record Suspension?
Canadians have the option to apply for a record suspension on their own by downloading the record suspension application and guide.AllCleared offers convenience and faster processing than completing an application on your own. Our services include assistance at every stage of the process.Our experienced team can help you with your Canadian Pardon application so you can advance your career, volunteer at your kid’s school, travel, and live your life without the stress of your past holding you back.
Why AllCleared?
Below are three reasons why AllCleared may be the best fit for you to expunge your record:
- Over 20 years of experience: We have a proven track record of successfully obtaining pardons for our clients.
- Expert team: Our team of qualified experts hold Personnel Security Clearance from the Government of Canada and have extensive knowledge of the pardon process. They will provide you with personalized support every step of the way.
- Fast Turnaround: Our partnerships get you cleared four months faster than the leading competitors. We also offer an expedited service to ensure your documents are processed within 24 hours.
Contact us today to get started with your record suspension application or for more information.
