Canada Pardon Services specializes in assisting any person with Canadian criminal records to obtain the Canadian Pardon and the U.S. Entry Restriction Waivers.
Canada Pardon Services specializes in assisting any person with Canadian criminal records to obtain the Canadian Pardon and the U.S. Entry Restriction Waivers.
Avoid embarassment and deportation
The time to apply for a pardon varies with the type of offence and the penalty imposed. The pardon is granted depending on the nature of offences and also whether you have had a good behaviour in accordance with the law during a period of time varying with the nature of the offence committed. (Call to discuss your situation with our consultants) Call…1-866-630-3660. It’s free.
The criminal record is a record in a registry administered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and in which all the information on those found in violation of laws is kept. Even after several years and, even if it concerns a minor offence, the criminal record does not disappear automatically. These traces can be used to justify a harsher sentence in the event of further offences.
In addition to the obvious reasons, which require you to apply for one, such as employment or travel abroad, people who have a criminal record are the most vulnerable to the extent that they can be easily suspected during their existence because their record does not automatically erased. It remains with the person throughout his life. Often, people simply want to get rid of past mistakes. Peace of mind is a common motivation for requesting for a Pardon.
This is a question most frequently asked to the consultants of our service and the answer is somewhat ambiguous, because each request is unique in its treatment and Pardons and Waivers are granted after a specific process in each case.
A number of contacts with other services is required during the process, such as the RCMP, the court, the local police, as well as the National Parole Board (or DHS), in order to define the specific request.
The treatment of a Pardon or a Waiver is a very serious process, which goes through several stages. Canada Pardon Services puts in place a platform specializing in the evaluation of the duration of the process depending on the data received by each applicant.
It is important to note that given the importance of obtaining forgiveness for many people with time constraints, the Canadian government is undertaking measures aimed at speeding up the process at the National Parole Board. Delays might therefore soon be reduced. Currently, the duration varies from 12 to 18 months, but it depends on the type of crime and the documents required. Duration of the process may be more than 18 months in some cases. Note that other variables come into play in determining the duration for obtaining forgiveness, such as the need to find a job or to keep a job… ..
The existence of a criminal record includes the following drawbacks:
No. Once you get the Pardon it is valid for all crimes showing on your criminal record, and all the offences are removed from the ICCP (the computer network of the RCMP).
The Pardon is no longer valid if you are accused of a new crime. If this is the case you would be entitled to apply for a second pardon. Otherwise, your criminal record will remain sealed for ever.
Canada Pardon Services places at your disposal a consultation and assessment session. Its mission is to inform you and to offer appropriate solutions to your situation, for free, they are at your disposal to check your eligibility and how to proceed to guarantee your acceptance. The decision is easy, you just have to contact our consultants.
With the Pardon, all information and conviction information are removed from the computer system of the Centre for the Canadian Police Information and therefore this will help you find a job, keep your job, enjoy the normal rates of insurance, travel… ..
The Pardon may be revoked in the following cases:
Being convicted of a new crime; There is convincing evidence that the person rehabilitated does not behave well. There is convincing evidence that the rehabilitated person provided false information or inaccurate statements when applying for rehabilitation.
The answer is no, because the Canadian Pardon has no value for several foreign countries, including the United States.
Thus, to visit the United States for example, you need permission from the American authorities, the so-called US-entry Waiver.
Unfortunately it will not, you keep your criminal record even after several years and even if it involves a minor offence, the criminal record does not disappear automatically.
In 1981, when he was a student at the university, Pierre Sévigny was taken in a story pyramid plan. “It’s a trick to make easy money. I was sent before the judge and I was sentenced for fraud. I had to pay a $2500 fine and I had a criminal record, “he says. To launder his reputation, Mr. Sévigny obtained a Pardon a few years later.
Businessman busy, he then travelled on numerous occasions to the USA. He also lived in Sweden for four years. But last March, U.S. Customs agents have refused to let him pass. “For whatever reason, they knew that I had already had a criminal record. They do not really want that I cross the border, “he says.
Mr. Sévigny was initially surprised by this refusal. “I repeated that I had obtained a Pardon, but customs officials were laughing. They said that the terrorists who blew up a nightclub in Indonesia had also obtained a Pardon. What ridiculous comparison! “Protests businessman.
Since customers were waiting in New York, Mr. Sévigny protested. “I said that I had not committed violent crime. I talked to my clients. I was finally passed with a special permit, but I’ve made it clear that henceforth I would be banned as I would not have the waiver, “he said.
Cases like that of Mr. Sévigny, the company Identification Canada sees more and more. “In addition to businessmen and travelers, those most affected by the tightening of border controls are truckers,” says co-owner of the company, Steeve Hollingworth.
For a truck driver, obtain a waiver is a real ordeal. “It’s so long! While waiting to have their waiver, drivers are forced to remain in Canada. If they still try to cross the border, their truck can be seized, “said Jean-Claude Fortin, chairman of the transportation company J.-E. Fortin, Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle.
And even with their temporary permit, truck drivers are penalized. “At customs, they are automatically escorted out. They lose a lot of time and, in the trucking industry, every minute counts, “says Fortin.
The customs have assured him that the procedure would be amended in September. “I hope this will be done. Because, currently, a driver can be seriously penalized just because he stole a chocolate bar in his youth. “
Ariane Lacoursière
August 5, 2007 – 07h11
La Presse
Canadians with criminal records, or even some who have been finger printed but never convicted, may see themselves rejected when they tried to cross the US border.
The US department of immigration is dramatically increasing the control policy in the US borders; the risks of detention, deportation, and even incarceration have never been higher.
Due to the high volume of traffic between Canada and the U.S., there is often a false sense of security in citizens of both countries, that the chances of being caught are high due to the new control policy. Then, the results of being caught in the U.S. or trying to enter the U.S. with an undeclared criminal record can be severe and should not be ignored.
Once the Pardon is granted the person’s criminal record is sealed which means that it will not show up in the Canadian databases typically searched by law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border. However, the criminal record is not erased and can be disclosed or re-instated in the appropriate circumstances.
In terms of crossing the border, a Canadian Pardon has no value because it has no effect on records kept in the United States. Therefore if your criminal record has been entered into the U.S. system for any reason you may still be refused entry into the U.S. based on that criminal record even though the record has been sealed in Canada.
To gain legal entry into the U.S. with a Canadian criminal record it is therefore advisable to apply for a U.S. Travel Waiver.
In conclusion, the Canada/U.S. border is increasingly becoming more of a hurdle than a turnstile. Canadians with criminal records should spend some time investigating their options and the possible repercussions of ignoring the risks.