Demystifying Eligibility Criteria for Record Suspension
If you have been fingerprinted by the police then you will need to get the fingerprints removed so that you are safe for employment and travel.
If the charges were withdrawn, dismissed, stayed, diversion, peace bond or absolute or conditional discharge then this is considered a non-conviction. However, even if this is a non-conviction, you were still charged with a criminal offence and the fingerprints can still show up on a criminal background check. When this happens, it can prevent you from getting employment or traveling to the US.
If you received a conviction for your criminal offence then you will need a pardon or record suspension to remove your criminal record from public access.
Regardless, of whether you have a non-conviction which requires a file destruction or a conviction that requires a pardon or record suspension, you will need to take the first step which is to obtain a criminal background check for the purpose of a record suspension. This is a required step in order to generate a CPIC or RCMP report that will allow us to continue the process of a file destruction, pardon or record suspension.
As per the attached article entitled “Requesting a Police Record Check? Make sure it’s the Right One” it is important to request the right criminal background check when obtaining a pardon. Many people get the wrong criminal check and it will delay the process:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/police-record-check-backlog-1.4803584
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
