Visitor: When I was 18 years old I did something really stupid that got me arrested and ultimately gave me a criminal record for fraud under $5000. As far as I understand that five years after the end of my probation, I am allowed to apply for a pardon.

I don’t entirely understand what exactly a pardon is and what the implications of getting one are. From what I understand, my record becomes permanently sealed, so if an employer does a background check on me then they wouldn’t know about my criminal history. However my record is technically still in existence isn’t it?

What are the barriers that I will still have in my life, even with a pardon? Also after getting a pardon, if there is a job that requires me to have a security clearance, would my record prevent me from that? If I were to apply for another country’s citizenship after receiving a pardon, would they find out about my criminal history?

Pardons Canada: Once the pardon or record suspension is granted for your fraud under offence then it cannot be seen by the public. Employers or government agencies cannot see your record once the pardon is granted as they simply check the RCMP or CPIC report which will not show anything. The only time the fraud offence can come back to haunt you is if you re-offend and then the prosecutor can possibly request that your file be unsealed.