How long must a person endure the mantle of a criminal record, after having served his sentence and atoned for past mistakes? Unfortunately, a criminal record continues to “follow” a person by remaining accessible through a criminal record check or a background check, frequently done nowadays by such concerns as potential employers, rental agencies, and banks.
This procedure is done in order to safeguard the workplace, its customers, and service providers. Unfortunately, if a criminal record is found to exist, the applicant is refused the job that he interviewed so well for, that perfect apartment is no longer available to him, the volunteer opportunity that would broaden his horizons will not be accessible.
Even travel can be hampered, whether it be for pleasure or business, especially when attempting to enter the United States. It is illegal for a Canadian convicted of a criminal offence to cross the border. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) stores data on all criminal records and gives the US Customs and Border Protection Agency access to its files. Thus, travelers with a record risk being detained at the border, not being allowed to cross, and possibly being arrested or having their vehicles confiscated.
A criminal record has therefore become a significant barrier to living a fulfilling life. However, once a period of time has passed after the completion of a sentence, a person is entitled to apply to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for a Pardon. Once granted, a Pardon will cause a record to be kept separate from the accessible CPIC database, “sealing” it, so that it will not be revealed in a background check. Also, a US Entry Waiver will help those who wish to travel to the United States. This document can be applied for even without having received a Pardon and will enable cross-border visits for both business and pleasure.
The process for obtaining these documents can be difficult and time consuming, so seeking the help of a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada is advisable.
Temptation Obscures the Obvious
Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare [John Dryden] – Here is the story about how one young man has overcome a most unfortunate introduction to life in Canada.
As a recent immigrant to Canada in the mid-eighties, having settled in Lethbridge, Alberta, he got his first job as a delivery driver for a local pizza parlor. He found a credit card in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store and put it in his pocket. In his home country at that time, there were no such things as credit cards. Later on, he told a coworker about what he had found. This person said that they could use the card to get free gas at a local gas station. Being young and naïve, he didn’t fully realize just what was he was about to do. He did sense this wasn’t right, but feeling the peer pressure, being gullible, he agreed to let his coworker use the card at a gas station for himself and his friends. After the card had been used this way a few times, the police eventually came to his home to arrest him. His coworker had been questioned by the police and then implicated him while denying any participation.
Now a husband and parent, he looks back on what happened with great embarrassment, wishing he had followed his instincts and not taken part in such fraudulent activities. Following this most unfortunate stage of his new life in Canada, he has not been involved in any other criminal activity. He has a son for whom he feels he is a role model, having a positive attitude and demonstrating a law-abiding life style. He spends a great deal of time helping his son in his sports endeavors as well as assisting his church and the local community kitchen. He has embraced his religion, attending church regularly, seeing this as a positive influence in his life.
His pardon has allowed him to secure better employment in order to afford to travel with his family to popular vacation destinations and to attend such local events as the Calgary Stampede. Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously.
Speak to a Client Specialist – toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366) – at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
As a recent immigrant to Canada in the mid-eighties, having settled in Lethbridge, Alberta, he got his first job as a delivery driver for a local pizza parlor. He found a credit card in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store and put it in his pocket. In his home country at that time, there were no such things as credit cards. Later on, he told a coworker about what he had found. This person said that they could use the card to get free gas at a local gas station. Being young and naïve, he didn’t fully realize just what was he was about to do. He did sense this wasn’t right, but feeling the peer pressure, being gullible, he agreed to let his coworker use the card at a gas station for himself and his friends. After the card had been used this way a few times, the police eventually came to his home to arrest him. His coworker had been questioned by the police and then implicated him while denying any participation.
Now a husband and parent, he looks back on what happened with great embarrassment, wishing he had followed his instincts and not taken part in such fraudulent activities. Following this most unfortunate stage of his new life in Canada, he has not been involved in any other criminal activity. He has a son for whom he feels he is a role model, having a positive attitude and demonstrating a law-abiding life style. He spends a great deal of time helping his son in his sports endeavors as well as assisting his church and the local community kitchen. He has embraced his religion, attending church regularly, seeing this as a positive influence in his life.
His pardon has allowed him to secure better employment in order to afford to travel with his family to popular vacation destinations and to attend such local events as the Calgary Stampede. Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously.
Speak to a Client Specialist – toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366) – at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
Driving While Intoxicated vs. Driving Under the Influence
Drinking and driving: there are stupider things, but it's a very short list. [Author Unknown]
Whatever you call it, the charge is the same – it involves operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. It could be as “simple” as an over-the-counter cold or flu medicine but the bottom line is: if you are Driving Under the Influence, you are breaking the law.
No one would disagree that operating a vehicle while under the influence of any substance that limits your ability to think clearly, respond quickly, stay alert, and remain attentive is a dangerous activity. So why do people continue to do so?
Since a DUI – Impaired Driving, Blowing over .08, Refusing to Blow, or Refusal to Take a Breathalyzer – is among the most common criminal convictions in Canada, a few prevailing myths, or misconceptions, need to be brought to light:
Myth No. 1: A person is legally allowed to drive with a blood alcohol level below .08.
Truth: If you are stopped by police, you could be tested with an “approved roadside-screening device” (ASD), which tests for alcohol in your body, showing a “pass,” “warn,” or “fail.” A warn shows for blood-alcohol levels between 50 - 100 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood, and a fail for levels of 100 milligrams or higher. The legal limit is 80 milligrams (called .08). A pass will probably allow you to leave, but that is not automatic.
Under the BC Motor Vehicle Act, even if you’re not over .08, you may be immediately prohibited from driving for 24 hours if the police have reasonable and probable grounds to believe that your ability to drive is affected by alcohol or drug. The police may also impound your vehicle for 24 hours. If the ASD shows a warn or fail, the police may demand you to take a breathalyzer test, for which you must go to where the breathalyzer is located, usually the local police station. Also, since the fall of 2010, if your blood alcohol level on the ASD is between .05 and .08, new penalties will be imposed.
Full details are certainly worth exploring. The bottom line, though, should be: If you’re not sure how much you’ve had to drink, take a bus, call a taxi, prevail upon a friend, but do NOT even get in your vehicle, let alone drive it.
Myth No. 2: One beer – one shot – one glass of wine – is fine.
Truth: Several factors determine how much it takes to get drunk: your weight, your gender, your age, your food intake, how much you’ve drunk in the past. Also, the number of drinks consumed is not an accurate indicator: alcohol levels in drinks vary because of the type of drink that is prepared. Bottom line: If you drink, don’t drive.
Myth No. 3: Second offence is the same as the first offence.
Truth: People who have already been convicted with a DUI offense suffer more serious consequences. The usual sentence: For a first offence of over .08, impaired driving, or refusing to blow, the mandatory minimum sentence is a $1000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition (unless the judge considers your case more serious because of aggravating facts such as high breathalyzer readings or an accident).
Previous drinking and driving convictions mean higher penalties – usually a minimum of 30 days jail for a second offence within a few years of the previous conviction, and a minimum of 120 days jail for each offence after that. And if you kill or injure someone, the penalty is always a jail term. Again, full details are worth exploring.
Myth No. 4: Driving under the influence of drugs is not a DUI.
Truth: You can get a DUI for driving under the influence of anything. If you drive under the influence of either prescription narcotics or recreational, street, or illicit drugs, you can be charged with a DUI. Prescriptions explicitly reiterate not to drive or operate machinery while taking certain medications. Numerous prescription drugs can impair one’s motor skills to the point that their driving abilities are diminished. Ingestion of prescription and/or illegal drugs can cause altered speech patterns, dilated or constricted pupils, decreased motor function, and rapid, slowed, or labored breathing.
If you have a DUI conviction, you will want to consider getting a Pardon, which will seal your record so that it is no longer visible. A criminal record can follow you for life, so a Pardon will provide relief from the stigma once and for all. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada who will answer all your questions and guide you through the pardon process.
Whatever you call it, the charge is the same – it involves operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. It could be as “simple” as an over-the-counter cold or flu medicine but the bottom line is: if you are Driving Under the Influence, you are breaking the law.
No one would disagree that operating a vehicle while under the influence of any substance that limits your ability to think clearly, respond quickly, stay alert, and remain attentive is a dangerous activity. So why do people continue to do so?
Since a DUI – Impaired Driving, Blowing over .08, Refusing to Blow, or Refusal to Take a Breathalyzer – is among the most common criminal convictions in Canada, a few prevailing myths, or misconceptions, need to be brought to light:
Myth No. 1: A person is legally allowed to drive with a blood alcohol level below .08.
Truth: If you are stopped by police, you could be tested with an “approved roadside-screening device” (ASD), which tests for alcohol in your body, showing a “pass,” “warn,” or “fail.” A warn shows for blood-alcohol levels between 50 - 100 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood, and a fail for levels of 100 milligrams or higher. The legal limit is 80 milligrams (called .08). A pass will probably allow you to leave, but that is not automatic.
Under the BC Motor Vehicle Act, even if you’re not over .08, you may be immediately prohibited from driving for 24 hours if the police have reasonable and probable grounds to believe that your ability to drive is affected by alcohol or drug. The police may also impound your vehicle for 24 hours. If the ASD shows a warn or fail, the police may demand you to take a breathalyzer test, for which you must go to where the breathalyzer is located, usually the local police station. Also, since the fall of 2010, if your blood alcohol level on the ASD is between .05 and .08, new penalties will be imposed.
Full details are certainly worth exploring. The bottom line, though, should be: If you’re not sure how much you’ve had to drink, take a bus, call a taxi, prevail upon a friend, but do NOT even get in your vehicle, let alone drive it.
Myth No. 2: One beer – one shot – one glass of wine – is fine.
Truth: Several factors determine how much it takes to get drunk: your weight, your gender, your age, your food intake, how much you’ve drunk in the past. Also, the number of drinks consumed is not an accurate indicator: alcohol levels in drinks vary because of the type of drink that is prepared. Bottom line: If you drink, don’t drive.
Myth No. 3: Second offence is the same as the first offence.
Truth: People who have already been convicted with a DUI offense suffer more serious consequences. The usual sentence: For a first offence of over .08, impaired driving, or refusing to blow, the mandatory minimum sentence is a $1000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition (unless the judge considers your case more serious because of aggravating facts such as high breathalyzer readings or an accident).
Previous drinking and driving convictions mean higher penalties – usually a minimum of 30 days jail for a second offence within a few years of the previous conviction, and a minimum of 120 days jail for each offence after that. And if you kill or injure someone, the penalty is always a jail term. Again, full details are worth exploring.
Myth No. 4: Driving under the influence of drugs is not a DUI.
Truth: You can get a DUI for driving under the influence of anything. If you drive under the influence of either prescription narcotics or recreational, street, or illicit drugs, you can be charged with a DUI. Prescriptions explicitly reiterate not to drive or operate machinery while taking certain medications. Numerous prescription drugs can impair one’s motor skills to the point that their driving abilities are diminished. Ingestion of prescription and/or illegal drugs can cause altered speech patterns, dilated or constricted pupils, decreased motor function, and rapid, slowed, or labored breathing.
If you have a DUI conviction, you will want to consider getting a Pardon, which will seal your record so that it is no longer visible. A criminal record can follow you for life, so a Pardon will provide relief from the stigma once and for all. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada who will answer all your questions and guide you through the pardon process.
Taking Control, Moving Forward
A worthwhile person seeks not the easy life, for the easy life does not make a worthwhile person [Chinese proverb]. Here is the story about how one young man has “changed his ways” and found a better way to live life.
When he began his involvement in the drug trade, he was too naïve to question how it might impact his future. He was young and impressionable and fell in with the wrong crowd because he was materialistic, wanting all the finer stuff that comes with the so-called “good life,” without having the skills to acquire them legitimately. He felt that he was navigating through life with tunnel vision, looking only for the quick fix to satisfy his needs, wanting the easy path to financial security.
He was convicted twice as a teen for break and enter and theft, once to steal food because he was homeless and hungry, then for being an accomplice with the wrong crowd that committed another similar offence. He also has had several drug-related convictions, dating back to the late 1980s.
His several bouts of incarceration convinced him that the most important asset we have in life is time, and the most rewarding part of this gift is the freedom to choose how to spend it. In the time that has passed, he has adapted to a new mindset, acknowledging that the only way to find satisfaction is to earn an honest living, which ultimately leads to fulfillment.
He sees that although his pardon can’t erase the stigma of his crimes, it can empower him to seek better employment opportunities, being bonded if need be, travel to broaden his scope of opportunities. He realizes that he didn’t choose to go to jail; instead he ended up in that situation by the choices he made. He understandably regrets these choices, and his deepest regret is not having learned from their impact sooner. Although he has missed out on many opportunities as a result of his criminal past, he now sees he has an opportunity to move forward and become a productive member of society. He feels he now has the confidence to achieve success and support himself through hard work and diligence.
Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. A pardon seals a criminal record so that it is no longer visible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously.
Speak to a Client Specialist – toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366) – at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
When he began his involvement in the drug trade, he was too naïve to question how it might impact his future. He was young and impressionable and fell in with the wrong crowd because he was materialistic, wanting all the finer stuff that comes with the so-called “good life,” without having the skills to acquire them legitimately. He felt that he was navigating through life with tunnel vision, looking only for the quick fix to satisfy his needs, wanting the easy path to financial security.
He was convicted twice as a teen for break and enter and theft, once to steal food because he was homeless and hungry, then for being an accomplice with the wrong crowd that committed another similar offence. He also has had several drug-related convictions, dating back to the late 1980s.
His several bouts of incarceration convinced him that the most important asset we have in life is time, and the most rewarding part of this gift is the freedom to choose how to spend it. In the time that has passed, he has adapted to a new mindset, acknowledging that the only way to find satisfaction is to earn an honest living, which ultimately leads to fulfillment.
He sees that although his pardon can’t erase the stigma of his crimes, it can empower him to seek better employment opportunities, being bonded if need be, travel to broaden his scope of opportunities. He realizes that he didn’t choose to go to jail; instead he ended up in that situation by the choices he made. He understandably regrets these choices, and his deepest regret is not having learned from their impact sooner. Although he has missed out on many opportunities as a result of his criminal past, he now sees he has an opportunity to move forward and become a productive member of society. He feels he now has the confidence to achieve success and support himself through hard work and diligence.
Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. A pardon seals a criminal record so that it is no longer visible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously.
Speak to a Client Specialist – toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366) – at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
What You Need to Know About Social Media and Background Checks
Rather than having to rely on an applicant’s resume, references, or interviews to find information, the explosion of technology and social media websites like Facebook has made it easier than ever to learn details about potential hires – and recruiting managers have begun to take advantage. Significantly, though, there are privacy concerns as well as human rights concerns to be considered.
This practice, while becoming more common, does have some serious legal risks, in particular violating Canadian privacy legislation. The current feeling is that the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (or PIPEDA) would prevent that kind of collection of personal information. PIPEDA, a federal law that protects the privacy of personal information in Canada, prohibits a federally regulated employer from using or collecting an employee or potential employee’s personal information without their knowledge and consent, subject to a number of exceptions. The viewing of an employee’s blog and the use of it for hiring purposes would seem to fall under these provisions.
However, PIPEDA does not apply where the personal information is “publically available,” including a publication in electronic form. It is arguable that a job applicant’s disclosure of personal information in a publically available blog post would qualify; however, it is difficult to predict exactly how the exceptions would be applied.
As well, PIPEDA applies only to federally regulated employers, a very small percentage of employers in Canada. While British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta have enacted similar legislation, Ontario, for example, has not, leaving provincially regulated employers in that province facing fewer legislative barriers to the collection of personal information on the Internet.
In addition, even if the information is publically available on an applicant’s Facebook page, human rights legislation ensures that certain types of information cannot be used to make hiring decisions. While employers cannot ask job applicants about protected characteristics such as marital status, race, religion, and age, this information will often come up in an online search and can be difficult for employers to avoid.
Background checks are routinely performed, and if you have a criminal record it will be revealed. This criminal record can be removed, though, so if you want to “even out the playing field” when applying for employment or promotion, pursuing adoption, hoping to volunteer, become bonded, you should start the process right away by contacting a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to apply for a pardon. Once it is obtained, that criminal record will be sealed so that it is no longer visible. You would also be well advised to review your Facebook, Twitter, myspace, or any other social media site to ensure it reflects you in the most positive light possible.
This practice, while becoming more common, does have some serious legal risks, in particular violating Canadian privacy legislation. The current feeling is that the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (or PIPEDA) would prevent that kind of collection of personal information. PIPEDA, a federal law that protects the privacy of personal information in Canada, prohibits a federally regulated employer from using or collecting an employee or potential employee’s personal information without their knowledge and consent, subject to a number of exceptions. The viewing of an employee’s blog and the use of it for hiring purposes would seem to fall under these provisions.
However, PIPEDA does not apply where the personal information is “publically available,” including a publication in electronic form. It is arguable that a job applicant’s disclosure of personal information in a publically available blog post would qualify; however, it is difficult to predict exactly how the exceptions would be applied.
As well, PIPEDA applies only to federally regulated employers, a very small percentage of employers in Canada. While British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta have enacted similar legislation, Ontario, for example, has not, leaving provincially regulated employers in that province facing fewer legislative barriers to the collection of personal information on the Internet.
In addition, even if the information is publically available on an applicant’s Facebook page, human rights legislation ensures that certain types of information cannot be used to make hiring decisions. While employers cannot ask job applicants about protected characteristics such as marital status, race, religion, and age, this information will often come up in an online search and can be difficult for employers to avoid.
Background checks are routinely performed, and if you have a criminal record it will be revealed. This criminal record can be removed, though, so if you want to “even out the playing field” when applying for employment or promotion, pursuing adoption, hoping to volunteer, become bonded, you should start the process right away by contacting a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to apply for a pardon. Once it is obtained, that criminal record will be sealed so that it is no longer visible. You would also be well advised to review your Facebook, Twitter, myspace, or any other social media site to ensure it reflects you in the most positive light possible.
We Do Have the Power to Right Our Wrongs
“Addiction”: being enslaved to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming – such a state is extremely difficult to overcome, but it can and does happen! Here is one young man’s description of how his life has improved.
In his late teens, he was constantly attempting to escape his problems through drugs and alcohol, leaving home to either rent accommodation or live on the streets. He attended school only sporadically, and fell in with the “wrong crowd,” stealing to get drug money and causing property damage in the process. He now firmly believes that there are no excuses for his behavior and no amount of apology or regret can undo the damage and hurt he caused.
He felt that he had paid heavily for his actions, and having finished all his punishment had given him the chance to create a positive future and to work towards a better life. However, he felt that he was still being held back by his criminal record.
Now ten years later, his pardon has removed his record will allow him to further develop his carpentry business and to establish contacts in his trade outside the country. He feels that he is continuing on the right path as a responsible, law-abiding citizen. Perhaps the most significant way he has improved is through his new attitude and outlook on life. He feels that he has been successfully rehabilitated and no longer has drug and alcohol addictions.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the peace of mind that he most certainly has.
In his late teens, he was constantly attempting to escape his problems through drugs and alcohol, leaving home to either rent accommodation or live on the streets. He attended school only sporadically, and fell in with the “wrong crowd,” stealing to get drug money and causing property damage in the process. He now firmly believes that there are no excuses for his behavior and no amount of apology or regret can undo the damage and hurt he caused.
He felt that he had paid heavily for his actions, and having finished all his punishment had given him the chance to create a positive future and to work towards a better life. However, he felt that he was still being held back by his criminal record.
Now ten years later, his pardon has removed his record will allow him to further develop his carpentry business and to establish contacts in his trade outside the country. He feels that he is continuing on the right path as a responsible, law-abiding citizen. Perhaps the most significant way he has improved is through his new attitude and outlook on life. He feels that he has been successfully rehabilitated and no longer has drug and alcohol addictions.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the peace of mind that he most certainly has.
Impact of Coping with a Criminal Record
In many respects, a criminal record might not be restrictive if a person has experienced no need to undergo a criminal record check – if someone is gainfully employed, has been living comfortably in a home for which a mortgage was obtained without difficulty, has no need or desire to work or volunteer with children’s schools or sports endeavors, doesn’t need a loan, isn’t being considered for a promotion, isn’t attempting to rent an apartment, has no wish to travel across the US border, doesn’t require a licence, has no need to be bonded … Well, all these conditions and more could suddenly become significant if matters change, and that’s what life is all about.
Even if a person has not felt the need to have his criminal record removed, the fact that it still exists and could potentially be discovered by friends, family members, coworkers, or employers takes its toll. Although the impact of this state of affairs might not be consciously registered, overt symptoms can and will evolve. Occasionally we experience anger, stress, or depression, not understanding the cause. When we leave unattended matters that in the back of our minds we know should be addressed, they can affect our well being.
Understanding anger is important. This is the first step in anger management. You should know that anger rises within you when you feel incapable of doing certain things. Anger can manifest itself in forms such as self-pity, depression, or rage and needs to be dealt with.
Understanding stress is important. Stress can be either positive or negative; for example, stress experienced while preparing for a job interview will heighten the senses in order to perform well. However, negative stress, experienced for example during bereavement, demanding work conditions, or family strife, produces negative feelings like anger and frustration, leading to physical problems such as headaches, insomnia, or stomach upset.
Understanding depression is important. Life is full of situations that cause stress. When you are having difficulty dealing with a source of stress, you may have situational depression, which is an emotional event. The most common symptoms are fear, sadness, and hopelessness and usually disappear after you adapt. But symptoms of major depression can sometimes last much longer and need the help of a health professional.
Having a criminal record is a state much like a “life sentence”: a criminal record is “a summary of an individual’s contacts with law enforcement generally computerized in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center).” Regardless of the type of offence, it will follow a person for the rest of his life unless he takes that all-important first step to remove his record through applying for a pardon.
Most Canadian criminal records can be removed with a pardon, ensuring that all of a person’s criminal records and charges are separated from other personal records and rendered inaccessible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
Even if a person has not felt the need to have his criminal record removed, the fact that it still exists and could potentially be discovered by friends, family members, coworkers, or employers takes its toll. Although the impact of this state of affairs might not be consciously registered, overt symptoms can and will evolve. Occasionally we experience anger, stress, or depression, not understanding the cause. When we leave unattended matters that in the back of our minds we know should be addressed, they can affect our well being.
Understanding anger is important. This is the first step in anger management. You should know that anger rises within you when you feel incapable of doing certain things. Anger can manifest itself in forms such as self-pity, depression, or rage and needs to be dealt with.
Understanding stress is important. Stress can be either positive or negative; for example, stress experienced while preparing for a job interview will heighten the senses in order to perform well. However, negative stress, experienced for example during bereavement, demanding work conditions, or family strife, produces negative feelings like anger and frustration, leading to physical problems such as headaches, insomnia, or stomach upset.
Understanding depression is important. Life is full of situations that cause stress. When you are having difficulty dealing with a source of stress, you may have situational depression, which is an emotional event. The most common symptoms are fear, sadness, and hopelessness and usually disappear after you adapt. But symptoms of major depression can sometimes last much longer and need the help of a health professional.
Having a criminal record is a state much like a “life sentence”: a criminal record is “a summary of an individual’s contacts with law enforcement generally computerized in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center).” Regardless of the type of offence, it will follow a person for the rest of his life unless he takes that all-important first step to remove his record through applying for a pardon.
Most Canadian criminal records can be removed with a pardon, ensuring that all of a person’s criminal records and charges are separated from other personal records and rendered inaccessible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is handled expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
Haunted by the Past
A foolhardy decision made in an effort to impress his friends caused a young man to bring marijuana home with him to Canada after visiting the Netherlands. Being young and careless, he attempted to head home on a flight that stopped over in the United States. Security personnel of course immediately detected his contraband. At once he felt the shame and regret overwhelm him, realizing how ridiculous his actions had been.
He has spent the last 11 years regretting what he did. However, during those same 11 years, he has started a family, has continued his post-secondary education, and has never been involved in any other criminal activities. He fully intends to remain an honest, law-abiding person.
He would now like nothing more than to put this incident behind him and begin visiting the United States as he once did as a child. He is also being encouraged by his advisors to continue his graduate studies in research and innovation in the US. His pardon and US entry waiver will now ensure that his goals are attainable, and he and his family can move forward, once and for all.
If you need to obtain a pardon or a waiver, Pardon Services Canada's role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is handled expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada now to guide you through the process.
He has spent the last 11 years regretting what he did. However, during those same 11 years, he has started a family, has continued his post-secondary education, and has never been involved in any other criminal activities. He fully intends to remain an honest, law-abiding person.
He would now like nothing more than to put this incident behind him and begin visiting the United States as he once did as a child. He is also being encouraged by his advisors to continue his graduate studies in research and innovation in the US. His pardon and US entry waiver will now ensure that his goals are attainable, and he and his family can move forward, once and for all.
If you need to obtain a pardon or a waiver, Pardon Services Canada's role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is handled expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada now to guide you through the process.
Helping People by Helping Our Planet
Pardon Services Canada is proud to have been presented with Urban Planet’s 2010 Certificate of Diversion, outlining how much waste our organization has diverted this past year from the landfill. Changing the way we deal with waste is a necessity – every tonne of paper diverted from landfills through recycling and shredding reduces our carbon tax footprint by approximately 3 tonnes.
This Certificate of Diversion provides documented proof of the efforts of Pardon Services Canada to reduce our environmental impact and improve our community, showing a true commitment to environmental conservation and global responsibility.
Our client confidentiality is assured in part due to these ongoing efforts. All documents prepared in the process of securing pardons and waivers for our clients are kept totally confidential. Once we finish processing each case, we destroy all the information we have.
Call us with your questions today, toll free: 1-8-NOW-PARDON. Our commitment to service ensures that a knowledgable Client Specialist is available to assist you.
This Certificate of Diversion provides documented proof of the efforts of Pardon Services Canada to reduce our environmental impact and improve our community, showing a true commitment to environmental conservation and global responsibility.
Our client confidentiality is assured in part due to these ongoing efforts. All documents prepared in the process of securing pardons and waivers for our clients are kept totally confidential. Once we finish processing each case, we destroy all the information we have.
Call us with your questions today, toll free: 1-8-NOW-PARDON. Our commitment to service ensures that a knowledgable Client Specialist is available to assist you.
"Money trials are not the hardest..."
... money trials are not the hardest, and somehow or other, they are always overcome. [Amelia E. Barr]
That “tangled web we weave…” out of despair, grief, frustration, or desperation – not seeing things so clearly when we are faced with trials and tribulations that sometimes lead us astray. This fellow surely has overcome that time of his life and moved on in the right direction.
His fraud convictions occurred at a time when he was both unemployed and grieving over the recent death of his father. His first conviction resulted from his having his income taxes prepared inappropriately. He pleaded guilty and was given a conditional discharge. He also purchased an automobile with a cheque for which he had insufficient funds and then sold the vehicle. He feels that both of these instances were completely out of character, resulting from his having gone through a frustrating and anxious stage. He had never been in trouble prior to these convictions and has not been since.
He is now married and has pursued several academic upgrades that have allowed him to obtain a senior position with a well-respected company. He is responsible for operations in three provinces with a focus on operations, safety, regulatory compliance, and training. The maturity and skills he has gained have made him a productive member of society.
His pardon will better equip him to provide for his family and will enable him to continue to advance his career. In his current place of employment, he has had to turn down numerous opportunities for transfer to Europe and the USA because of his past convictions. He can now apply for positions for which he is well qualified without the fear of his criminal record being revealed.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the peace of mind that he most certainly has.
That “tangled web we weave…” out of despair, grief, frustration, or desperation – not seeing things so clearly when we are faced with trials and tribulations that sometimes lead us astray. This fellow surely has overcome that time of his life and moved on in the right direction.
His fraud convictions occurred at a time when he was both unemployed and grieving over the recent death of his father. His first conviction resulted from his having his income taxes prepared inappropriately. He pleaded guilty and was given a conditional discharge. He also purchased an automobile with a cheque for which he had insufficient funds and then sold the vehicle. He feels that both of these instances were completely out of character, resulting from his having gone through a frustrating and anxious stage. He had never been in trouble prior to these convictions and has not been since.
He is now married and has pursued several academic upgrades that have allowed him to obtain a senior position with a well-respected company. He is responsible for operations in three provinces with a focus on operations, safety, regulatory compliance, and training. The maturity and skills he has gained have made him a productive member of society.
His pardon will better equip him to provide for his family and will enable him to continue to advance his career. In his current place of employment, he has had to turn down numerous opportunities for transfer to Europe and the USA because of his past convictions. He can now apply for positions for which he is well qualified without the fear of his criminal record being revealed.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the peace of mind that he most certainly has.
Time for Action
At times every one of us feels bound by circumstance – the day-to-day limitations that prevent moving forward. One of these is the sense of feeling hopeless, not having the means to move forward and develop a better life.
If a person is encumbered by a criminal conviction that prevents gaining employment or promotion, pursuing adoption, applying for a loan, renting a residence, or other such goals, that sense of hopelessness will prove to be a seemingly inescapable burden.
What to do? Five steps to help make the situation better make a great deal of sense:
Talk – find some company either to talk about your worries, fears, thoughts, doubts, or simply to just talk about anything else to take your mind off what’s bothering you.
Move – walk, jog, cycle, dance, play with your children or your pets. Movement can relax, inspire, allow a different perspective.
Move forward – start something, either a project on hold or something new. Accomplishing something improves self-esteem and helps to take you forward.
Help someone else – reach out to family, friends, even strangers. Altruism is its own reward. Something even so insignificant as a smile or a helping hand will work.
Stir your senses – experience music, books, food, places with sights, sounds, aromas.
Perhaps one project that has been on hold is seeking a pardon for the criminal record that has been holding you back. If this is the case, you are well advised to contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is processed expeditiously. That peace of mind you seek is within reach.
If a person is encumbered by a criminal conviction that prevents gaining employment or promotion, pursuing adoption, applying for a loan, renting a residence, or other such goals, that sense of hopelessness will prove to be a seemingly inescapable burden.
What to do? Five steps to help make the situation better make a great deal of sense:
Talk – find some company either to talk about your worries, fears, thoughts, doubts, or simply to just talk about anything else to take your mind off what’s bothering you.
Move – walk, jog, cycle, dance, play with your children or your pets. Movement can relax, inspire, allow a different perspective.
Move forward – start something, either a project on hold or something new. Accomplishing something improves self-esteem and helps to take you forward.
Help someone else – reach out to family, friends, even strangers. Altruism is its own reward. Something even so insignificant as a smile or a helping hand will work.
Stir your senses – experience music, books, food, places with sights, sounds, aromas.
Perhaps one project that has been on hold is seeking a pardon for the criminal record that has been holding you back. If this is the case, you are well advised to contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada to guide you through the process.
Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is processed expeditiously. That peace of mind you seek is within reach.
Scared Straight
As he was leaving the RCMP station after being released, he saw his wife and baby daughter waiting for him. That was the moment he broke down, feeling incredibly remorseful and embarrassed for what he had done. They were everything to him and he was so scared of losing them.
He had used cocaine occasionally, not considering the full consequences of this type of life style. At the time of his arrest, he had gone to the airport to pick up his friend who was arriving for a short visit. On the drive home, they were pulled over by the RCMP who conducted a search. Finding him with a small amount of cocaine, the RCMP arrested them. He was charged with possession; his friend was not. After retaining a lawyer, he was later released. Realizing the court process was likely to be a long, drawn out process, he wisely decided to plead guilty and was fined $500 – he wanted to settle matters and get on with his life.
When a door closes, a window opens – this terrible experience has truly changed him for the better. He now lives a clean life and has built up a good business and partnership with his wife and family.
His waiver will now allow him and his family to visit the United States without worry. If you are in need of a waiver, Pardon Services Canada's role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is processed expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada now to guide you through the process.
He had used cocaine occasionally, not considering the full consequences of this type of life style. At the time of his arrest, he had gone to the airport to pick up his friend who was arriving for a short visit. On the drive home, they were pulled over by the RCMP who conducted a search. Finding him with a small amount of cocaine, the RCMP arrested them. He was charged with possession; his friend was not. After retaining a lawyer, he was later released. Realizing the court process was likely to be a long, drawn out process, he wisely decided to plead guilty and was fined $500 – he wanted to settle matters and get on with his life.
When a door closes, a window opens – this terrible experience has truly changed him for the better. He now lives a clean life and has built up a good business and partnership with his wife and family.
His waiver will now allow him and his family to visit the United States without worry. If you are in need of a waiver, Pardon Services Canada's role and familiarity with the process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is processed expeditiously. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada now to guide you through the process.
Traveling to Mexico with a Canadian Criminal Record? What you should know before you go.
There has been increased media awareness of the dangers of traveling to the United States with a Canadian Criminal Record after an ever growing number of Canadians are being turned away, now needing U.S. Entry Waivers. What about Canada’s other NAFTA partner, the one with the beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, gorgeous resorts and spectacular ruins? Are these also off limits to Canadians with a criminal record?
According to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
“Canadians traveling to Mexico with a criminal record might be refused entry and returned to Canada on the next available flight. Canadians in this situation should contact the Mexican Embassy in Ottawa prior to making travel arrangements.”
Furthermore,
“Since March 1, 2010, Canadian citizens, including those with dual nationality, are required to present a valid passport in order to enter and exit Mexico. Canadians without a valid passport will be refused entry and returned to Canada.”
So, Canadians who have a criminal record should take measures before planning a trip to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta to avoid getting turned away at the border.
In addition, even though Mexico has less stringent screening measures than the United States; Canadians with a criminal record face another danger. There are many testimonies of people going to Mexico for a vacation or on business and stopping over in Houston or Los Angeles. When they lay-over in these American hubs they are questioned and sent back to Canada. This is a result of the Information Sharing Acts between Canada and the U.S. You can read more about these regulations in this article.
Don’t get turned back either in Mexico, or on your trip through the States. Get a Canadian Pardon to hide the existence of the record from U.S. and Mexican border authorities. Take that family vacation that you always wanted without fear of getting turned away. Apply Today!
Changes to the Canadian Pardon – Get Your Pardon, Before It’s Too Late
A Change in Name
One of the changes proposed by the new government is aesthetic. What is currently known as a Canadian Pardon will be changed to Record Suspension. This name change will not have any effect on people who currently have a Canadian pardon. Furthermore, the change will not have an effect on what a pardon, soon to be record suspension, actually accomplishes. The criminal record will continue to be sealed and made hidden from background checks conducted by future or current employers, volunteer organizations or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The change in name is meant to reflect the tough on crime stance of the Conservative government and is backed up by a higher price and new restrictions.
A Change in Price
The current fee charged by the National Parole Board for processing and reviewing a Pardon Application is $150. Under the new legislation, the fee will be increased to $631. The fee increase seeks to take the financial burden of the application process away from the tax-payer and onto the applicant.
New Restrictions
The new legislation will also make it more difficult, or in some cases, impossible to apply for a Canadian Pardon.
o The applicant must not have been convicted of an offence involving sexual activity relating to a minor – as set out in a schedule of specified offences – unless the applicant can demonstrate s/he was “close in age” and that the offence did not involve a position of trust/authority, bodily harm or threat of violence/intimidation;
o The applicant must not have been convicted of more than three (3) offences prosecuted by indictment.
o The National Parole Board be granted “absolute discretion” to “order, refuse to order, or revoke” a record suspension
o The waiting periods be extended from three to five years for summary offences and from five to ten years for indictable offences.
What to Do
For most Canadians with a criminal record the main effect will be the substantial change in price given in Bill C-23b. Without professional paralegal help the pardon process can be expensive, extremely time consuming and repetitive given high rejection and error rates. With the new restrictions and increased price, the process is becoming even more difficult.
There are professional experts in the field of Canadian Pardons who are able to help get you your pardon before it’s too late. With affordable rates and available financing from a trusted service provider a clear record is available. Don’t wait until it is too late. Get your Canadian pardon today.
Are You Bondable? The Implications for Canadians with a Criminal Record
Many job application forms come with a little tick box asking, “Are You Bondable”. Let’s start with the basics – what does it mean to be bondable before you check that box.
Bondable (as it relates to employment): Ones ability to be insured by the hiring company, so that in the event of theft or loss by the employee the company is insured for the value of the loss. The process requires several checks, namely background (criminal record) and credit checks
A company who is looking to hire in various departments will usually ask if the candidate is bondable. Jobs include:
- Positions where there is sensitive or valuable company information/data
- Employment that involves the direct handling of cash
- Jobs that involve the use of client financial information (credit card/banking information)
- Client Representative, Service Jobs requiring interaction with customers
- Work in the Vulnerable Sector
- Financial Services and Banking Institutions
This list shows the extreme diversity of employers that have an interest in asking the question ‘Are You Bondable?”
Another, more discreet reason for asking the question is a result of limits placed on the employer regarding asking questions in regards to criminal records. If you have any sort of criminal record, you must answer “No” to the question of “are you bondable”. This is because when the company who hires you tries to get you bonded the insuring company will complete a background check. If a criminal record comes back with any prior conviction you will be declined the bond and will probably face repercussions from the employer.
Companies are increasingly using the “bondability check” to screen applicants for criminal records. This follows on the increasing use of criminal record checks by employers in all industries throughout Canada.
The solution for Canadians who are faced with the difficulty of getting around the ‘are you bondable’ question is to apply for a Canadian Pardon. A Pardon from the Parole Board of Canada will effectively seal your criminal record. As a result, when those background checks are completed by the insurance company they will see a clear record. This result opens a huge area of possibility for the 13% of Canadians living with a criminal record. Take a step towards improving your future; apply for a Canadian Pardon today.
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