A Canadian Pardon will soon become “Record Suspension”. This change, along with tougher restrictions and a four-fold increase in the price of a pardon are coming. Apply now, or it may be too late.
A Change in Name
One of the changes proposed by the new government is aesthetic. What is currently known as a Canadian Pardon will be changed to Record Suspension. This name change will not have any effect on people who currently have a Canadian pardon. Furthermore, the change will not have an effect on what a pardon, soon to be record suspension, actually accomplishes. The criminal record will continue to be sealed and made hidden from background checks conducted by future or current employers, volunteer organizations or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The change in name is meant to reflect the tough on crime stance of the Conservative government and is backed up by a higher price and new restrictions.
A Change in Price
The current fee charged by the National Parole Board for processing and reviewing a Pardon Application is $150. Under the new legislation, the fee will be increased to $631. The fee increase seeks to take the financial burden of the application process away from the tax-payer and onto the applicant.
New Restrictions
The new legislation will also make it more difficult, or in some cases, impossible to apply for a Canadian Pardon.
- The applicant must not have been convicted of an offence involving sexual activity relating to a minor – as set out in a schedule of specified offences – unless the applicant can demonstrate s/he was “close in age” and that the offence did not involve a position of trust/authority, bodily harm or threat of violence/intimidation;
- The applicant must not have been convicted of more than three (3) offences prosecuted by indictment.
- The National Parole Board be granted “absolute discretion” to “order, refuse to order, or revoke” a record suspension
- The waiting periods be extended from three to five years for summary offences and from five to ten years for indictable offences.
What to Do
For most Canadians with a criminal record the main effect will be the substantial change in price given in Bill C-23b. Without professional paralegal help the pardon process can be expensive, extremely time consuming and repetitive given high rejection and error rates. With the new restrictions and increased price, the process is becoming even more difficult.
There are professional experts in the field of Canadian Pardons who are able to help get you your pardon before it’s too late. With affordable rates and available financing from a trusted service provider a clear record is available. Don’t wait until it is too late. Get your Canadian pardon today.
