Pardons Canada – New Pardon Rules (Bill C10) Causes Pain for Many

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It is very sad when we speak to people who have recent convictions and now have to wait a longer time to obtain a Canada Pardon or Record Suspension due to the recent change in government legislation Bill C10.

How does the government expect these people to reintegrate with society if they have to wait so long to obtain a pardon?

What is a person expected to do if they can’t get a decent job due to a past criminal record?

At Pardons Canada, we help many people to obtain a Canada Pardon or Record Suspension and its ok to start early because it takes time to gather and prepare the documents necessary for the application. By starting the file, at least it gives people hope that they will ultimately be free of a criminal record. However, until the pardon or record suspension is granted, the criminal record can act as a huge impediment when looking for work or traveling to the US.

The following article in the CBC entitled “New Pardon Rules Thwart Student’s Rehabilitation” really drives home this issue.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/05/09/ns-pardon-change-troubles-man.html

Pardons Canada – One Bad Decision (Theft Under) Can Lead to a Lifetime of Pain

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We receive many calls and emails from people who wish to obtain a pardon or record suspension for an old criminal record from something that they did at a bad moment in their lives and they are still paying for it many years later.

A petty theft charge can happen in a moment in a persons life when they are not thinking straight. They are depressed, or going through a divorce or dealing with a death in the family and they do a stupid thing like stealing something from a store without any thought to the consequences. Most people get through that difficult time in their life, pay the punishment for stealing and move on. However, the criminal record follows them for life until they apply for a Canada Pardon or Record Suspension.

Here is a letter we recently received from someone we helped to obtain a pardon for a theft under conviction many years ago:

“I want to take the time to let you know what this pardon/record suspension means to me in my life”

“It took a few years to get this pardon, but it was well worth the wait. My reasons for needing this pardon were more personal than anything.”

“I had gone through a very rough few years back then, and after losing a long time marriage, a home, and struggling with all that grief that goes with that.”

“I made one poor choice or decision to ease my pain and then lived to regret it. One has to learn from that for sure.”

“Thanks for the Pardon and thanks for the closure, it haunted me for a long time.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons, Record Suspensions and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011 or 416-929-6011.

Pardons Canada – Person with Peace Bond for Common Assault Gets Refused Entry to US

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We receive hundreds of calls and emails each week from people who are turned away at the US border because of an old criminal record.

The Americans are becoming much more strict at the border and will deny you entry even if your criminal charge was withdrawn, dismissed, stayed, peace bond, absolute or conditional discharge. In each case, even though it is not considered a full criminal conviction in Canada, the Americans simply see on their system that you were in trouble with the police and they will deny you entry.

Once you obtain a file destruction, pardon or record suspension, you should be safe to travel as long as you have never been stopped by the Americans in the past.

If you have been denied entry to the US then you need a US Entry Waiver (I-194) to return to the US which is a long and complicated application.

Here is an email we just received from a person who was denied entry to the US because of a peace bond for an assault charge:

“On a recent trip to the us, I was detained by border customs agent and informed that I have a criminal record. The record they referred to was for an assault charge in about 1997. I was issued a peace bond (which was successfully completed) and told that I would not have a criminal record. I told the border agents the details, but they refused entry and sent me back to Canada. What do I need to fix this so I can travel to the US?”

If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons, Record Suspensions and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011 or 416-929-6011.