Pardons Canada – New National TV Program Highlights Difficulties of Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

www.pardons.org

One of the stars from the acclaimed TV series Dragons Den, Kevin O’Leary is launching a new series called Redemption Inc. which will be about giving ex-cons a chance at getting a job.

Every day we speak to Canadians who have old criminal records which are getting in the way of employment. Most companies in Canada are now doing criminal background checks for new employees and this has made it even harder for people with criminal records to get work.

Imagine you are now a responsible adult trying to get a better job or a promotion at your current job and your 20 year old petty theft, dui, pot possession, assault charge shows up in a criminal background check and you lose the job opportunity because of something that happened 20 years ago. This situation occurs every day across Canada and it could have been prevented if the person had obtained a Canada Pardon.

Even if you have been charged with a criminal offence but the charges were later withdrawn, dismissed, stayed, absolute or conditional discharged, an employer will still see the red flag in a criminal check and can decide accordingly to not hire you as a result of this.

Once a pardon is granted, your will no longer be haunted by your old criminal record and you can continue living your life without the burden of having a criminal record. With the upcoming passing of Bill C-10, it will become more difficult for Canadians to obtain a Canada Pardon but not impossible.

Here is a recent article in the Globe and Mail which talks about the upcoming show “Redemption Inc.” and the challenges that are faced with people who have criminal records to which a pardon has not been granted:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/from-the-big-house-to-the-small-screen/article2295330/

Pardons Canada – Getting a Pardon, the PATH from Jail, Suicide, Mental Health, Divorce and Substance Abuse

www.pardons.org

A Pardon is the final step in rehabilitating someone who has paid the penalty of committing a criminal offence. In some cases, people have experienced a lot of challenge in their lives and have turned to crime either intentionally or unintentionally. Often, the person’s past involves jail, suicide, mental health issues, divorce and substance abuse. Thankfully, many people move through those challenges and will live a fulfilling life. Obtaining a Canada Pardon is an crucial step in this path to rehabilitation because if your past criminal actions cannot be forgiven then society will continue to punish you well after you have paid your punishment.

Below is an article from a person we helped to obtain a Pardon in the past who has decided to write a memoir about his experience.

http://theroadtomyselfamemoir.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/donating-books-to-charity-youth-at-risk-and-public-speaking/

What a wonderful idea, and an absolute honor – I’ve known for some time that I wanted to give back through my up-coming Memoir, and I’m sure that opportunities will present themselves! People such as Ian Levine at Pardons Canada have shown interest in helping me get the word out about my book, which focuses on traumatic events such as going to jail, suicide, mental health, following one’s heart, a harsh divorce, and so much more from my own life. Yes, there are magic moments as well!

I already know this much: in the end, what will matter most is not how many damn books I sold, but how many lives I touched in some way, shape or form. That’s for sure.

I’m grateful to people like Ian Levine who have the courage to follow their vision, and educate others. If enough of us stand up and get our voices out there (amidst the FEAR of being too honest), lives can be saved! I know first-hand. My first phone call to Ian (while I was in sheer despair about my future goals) was a literal parting of the seas. It was like the sun shining through a cloud of black smoke.

…I took it from there, but who knows where I’d be of it wasn’t for organizations like Pardons Canada, who cut straight through the smoke and mirrors that many in the legal system pushed my way during my darkest days.

It’s time for me to do the same, and do so with the utmost of courage and (pardon the pun) conviction.

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

Pardons Canada – Getting a Pardon for a Pot Possession Charge

www.pardons.org

We help hundreds of people each week obtain a Canada Pardon for a wide range of past criminal charges.

It is very rewarding when we hear how the Pardon has positively impacted the persons life and how having a criminal record made their life difficult.

If you have never been denied entry to the US, you may not need a US Entry Waiver or I-192.  Once a Pardon is granted, you may be safe to travel to the US.

Here is a recent letter we received from a person we helped to obtain a Canada Pardon for a Possession of Marijuana criminal charge:

“At the time when I had been involved in illegal activities, I was young and ignorant. I had a possession of cannabis resin charge on my record as well as 2 other charges”

“This criminal record has impacted my life and my freedom greatly. When I received this criminal record I was only 19.”

“With the court system I waited several years before finally entering a plee, this inevitably delayed my ability to apply for a pardon by several years.”

“I have never been able to cross the border since this time in my life when I was at my lowest low. I haven’t traveled out of Ontario since I was 19, I’ve never been able to go on vacation with my friends either. ”
“I have drastically changed my life around from the time in my life where I was misguided and lost. I will be graduating a nursing program here in Kitchener in August. I now have an opportunity to impact people’s lives for the better. To make a difference. ”

“If not for this pardon and Pardon Canada’s assistance I would never have been able to further my education in this career path.”

“I appreciate all the work this organization has done in order to help me move on from a disgraceful point in my life. It’s something I’ve always been ashamed of, and now I feel free. I feel as though I have no limitations now, so thank-you. Thank-you soo much!!”

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

Pardons Canada – Dream Vacation to USA Denied Because of Old Pot Charge

www.pardons.org

Each day there are hundreds of Canadians being denied entry to the US because of old criminal charges.

Once you are denied entry to the US, you will require an I-194 or US Entry Waiver to re-enter the US.  This is a costly and complicated process that also takes time.  We help hundreds of people each month to navigate through this process so that they can return to the US for vacation, work or to see friends and relatives.

If you have not been denied entry but have an old criminal record, even if the criminal charge was dismissed, withdrawn, stayed, absolute or conditional discharge, you should apply for a Canada Pardon or File Destruction.  It may be possible to be safe to travel to the US, once your charges are removed from the system.

Here is a recent email we received from a distressed Canadian who was refused entry to the US:

“I recently planned a dream vacation to Hawaii last week for me and my spouse and was declined entry into the USA due to an incident that happened in 1993 while crossing into the states where I had a \’rouch\’ (0.2grams) of marjuana in the bottom of my purse.”

“We lost the entire value of our trip and was told I\’m never allowed into the states unless I get a waiver.”

” My question is can I get a pardon instead and deal with this once and for all instead of having to pay $600 US every year and that isn\’t even guaranteed that they will grant you a waiver?”

” I was sentenced with a delayed sentence under a special statute for first offenders at that time and the case was dimissed in 1994.”

“If you can please help me as I’m feeling very alone in this situation.  Thank you for anything you can do to help me!”

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

Pardons Canada – You Can Obtain a Pardon Even if You Have Been Deported

www.pardons.org

We receive many calls from people with a criminal record who are living in Canada but do not yet have their Canadian Citizenship.  They either have no status, refugee status or permanent residence.  Often they are living in Canada because they have family here or they are seeking to have a better life for themselves.

It is important that if you are in this situation, where you have a criminal record or charged with a criminal offence, you need to obtain a Pardon so that you will be safe for immigration purposes.  Even if you start the process, you can prove that you have taken the responsibility to get this DONE.

If you have been deported from Canada, we can still help you obtain a Canada Pardon so that you will be safe to return to Canada in the future.

Here is a letter from a client who we recently helped to get a Canada Pardon for various drug charges:

“I want to acknowledge Pardons Canada for their quick and efficient manner that they dealt with my pardon.”

“Four years ago, I was deported from Canada due to some very poor choices.  I realize that what I did at that time was extremely dumb.  I was separated from the love of my life and the country that I wanted to make my home.”

“I have since married the love of my life and she lives in Canada.  This will now give me the opportunity to be with her and to build a life for the two of us.”

“I want to develop a career for myself and eventually have a family.  NOW this is all possible.”

“I cannot take back the poor choices I made many years ago but I can now take this opportunity to become the person and provider I have always wanted to be.”

“Thank you Pardons Canada for giving me my life back.”

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