In March of 2012, the Conservative government passed a crime bill that lengthened the eligibility requirements for pardons from three years to five years for summary convictions and from five years to ten years for indictable offences.
Pardons Canada as well as many Canadians feel that this legislative change is highly punitive for individuals as they are prevented from gaining employment and traveling for longer periods of time. The Pardons program has worked well for over 30 years prior to the change in legislation, with a recidivism rate of only 4 percent.
The Liberal government is considering moving back the eligibility requirements to three and five years which would benefit thousands of Canadians who are eager to re-integrate into society having served their punishment and waited a reasonable time for rehabilitation.
Please sign the below petition which shows your support for the change in eligibility requirements for pardons:
