The Court Has Decided – Record Suspension Changes Violate Charter Rights

In 2012, the Canadian government, then under the authority of the Harper Conservative government, made some changes to the way that record suspensions (formerly known as “pardons”) operated in Canada. Specifically, they decided to lengthen the amount of wait time required before people could apply for a record suspension. Now, after some deliberation by the…

Pardons Canada Review – How it feels to remove an assault conviction

www.pardons.org Assault is the most common criminal offence in Canada.  An assault conviction can come in many different forms including domestic assault, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm.  Many assault charges are settled prior to a conviction being handed down in the form of a peace bond, stay of proceedings (stayed), withdrawn, dismissed,…

Will The New Legalization Bill Include Possession Pardons?

Canada is making great strides in both the international and local spheres when it comes to being a forward thinking, respected and progressive country. One of the areas where the nation is going to be closely watched by other countries of the world is the announcement by our Federal government that the legalization of marijuana…

How Long Does A Conviction Stay On Your Criminal Record?

The majority of Canadians will never have to think about their professional lives and how that might be compromised by actions committed in their past. When someone goes in to apply for a job, things like the relationships they’ve been in, or the results of their athletic career in high school don’t affect their chances…

Does Shoplifting Go On Your Criminal Record In Canada?

Crime, and the seriousness of a crime is a matter of degree. Not all offences should be treated equally, which is why Canadian law makes a point of correctly assessing the nature and scope of an offence. Double parking, while an offence in the eyes of the law, and punishable by a fine, is not…

Pardons Canada – Help Reduce the Waiting Period for Pardons

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…

How to Erase a Criminal Record in Canada

Everyone makes mistakes, and, if we’re lucky, we may be in a position to learn from our mistakes and improve ourselves and our lives because of it. But some mistakes we make have lasting consequences, meaning that when it’s time to move on and learn from those mistakes, it’s not as simple as thinking to…

Pardons Canada Review – Clear Criminal Record for Theft

www.pardons.org Theft is among the most common criminal offences.  If you are convicted of theft under $5000 then the waiting period to get a pardon or record suspension is five years from the end of your punishment.  If you are convicted of a theft over $5000 then the waiting period to get a pardon or…

Pardons Canada Review – How To Remove a DUI in Alberta

www.pardons.org Many people are unaware that a DUI or Impaired Driving conviction is considered to be a criminal offence.  A criminal record will stay on file forever until a pardon or record suspension is granted. Other driving infractions that are considered to be criminal offences are care and control of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving,…