Do You Really Want to Take the Chance?

The consequences of a DUI conviction are severe. A drunk driving charge may lead to:

• A criminal record, which may impede future employment, travel abroad, and community status
• A revoked license, which could make commuting to work difficult
• A long-term hike on your car insurance premiums, which will make owning and operating a vehicle less affordable
• A number of heavy fines, which can have a significant impact on your financial well being
• Collision costs – although your insurance company normally covers costs of an accident, it will not pay for drinking-related damages on any car involved in a crash.

So why do so many people still drive under the influence? Many individuals still feel that a couple of drinks will not make them unable to drive safely. In reality, after just a couple of drinks, you may not feel intoxicated; you might even feel that you are completely capable of driving. But legally, if your blood alcohol level is elevated, you are breaking the law.

A person convicted of driving while impaired in British Columbia, in Manitoba, in Ontario – anywhere across Canada – will end up with a criminal record since a DUI is a criminal offence. The bottom line is that if you are driving under the influence of anything, you are breaking the law. You can be charged with a DUI even if your vehicle isn’t moving.

According to the Canadian Safety Foundation, an estimated 1.5 million Canadian drivers travel while impaired each year. DUI cases accounted for 12 percent of all cases heard across the country last year, making it the most common criminal offence. Although almost 30 percent of drunk driving cases that go to court don’t lead to convictions in Canada, why take the chance? With the consequences being so high, driving while impaired is NOT worth the risk.

The only way to be certain that you are not putting yourself and others in harm’s way is if you drink anything, don’t get behind the wheel.

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.

Move to Quadruple Pardon Application Fees Provokes Backlash

The Conservative government wants to quadruple the cost of applying for a pardon, increasing the cost from the current $150 to $631. Critics say this will have many negative consequences. Last spring’s public consultation process overwhelmingly rejected the fee increase. A report on the consultations was released mid-August.


An impressive body of discerning groups, including prison advocates, church groups, criminologists, psychologists, and the Canadian Bar Association are greatly disturbed at the prospect. As well, among 14 government bodies that felt the increase would prove prohibitive were the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, Citizenship and Immigration, the Justice Department, and Public Safety Canada.

More than 98 percent of the 1,074 individuals and organizations who responded in the public consultations objected to the fee increase. The three-member independent advisory panel used the public and internal government responses to advise Public Safety to keep the fees at $150, but this recommendation has been rejected.

A summary of the common responses provided by government agencies states that such a large fee increase for applicants would pose a financial burden and serve as an impediment for many potential applicants attempting to reintegrate into society.

Ontario Conservative Senator Bob Runciman is urging the government to reconsider its proposal to quadruple the fees for seeking a criminal pardon, saying that he thinks that there’s an inherent unfairness in the approach the National Parole Board is taking.

Thousands of Canadians apply for pardons for such necessities as employment opportunities, security clearances, rental requirements, volunteering, and adoption. Runciman feels that the Board should consider the complexity of each case when calculating fees. For example, processing a pardon for shoplifting is less complicated than for someone convicted of arson.

The Parole Board’s director for clemency and pardons, Denis Ladouceur, testified about the process to a group of senators studying the fee increase. He explained that for an indictable offence the act compels his staff to do more exhaustive verifications.

Senator Runciman has suggested a tiered approach, based on the level of the crime committed. The Liberal public safety critic is open to the idea, whereas the NDP’s justice critic opposes any fee increase.

A pardon doesn’t erase a conviction, but it does allow people who have completed their sentences and shown that they are law-abiding to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records.

If you are interested in starting the Pardon process, the time to act is now. While there is still uncertainty regarding if and when the new legislation will become law, what is certain is that the sooner you begin the process, the better your chances of having your application governed by the current legislation.

Straightend Out, Moving On

The benefits of counseling, along with the support of family, cannot be fully realized and appreciated until a person needs to seek help.


Larry currently lives in Red Deer, Alberta, with his wife and teenage son. He strives each day to be a strong, positive influence in his son’s life. He owns his own home and has had steady employment for over 20 years. Now, with the prospect of retiring soon, his pardon has allowed him to gain peace of mind, closing once and for all that chapter of his life. He looks forward to traveling more comfortably, perhaps volunteering as well. He truly has moved on.

When he recalls the time when he had succumbed to the pressures the being involved with the wrong crowd, he is numbed. All the negative influences that controlled him were overpowering. He regularly used narcotics, and he became aggressive and antisocial. He eventually was charged and convicted for possession of narcotics, and then for the purpose of trafficking. The last blow came when he was charged and convicted for assault with a weapon.

His decision to undergo two years of counseling to straighten himself out was one of the best moves he’s ever made. His parents’ influence, in particular his father’s, helped him to reassess what is important in life. During this stage, his parents helped him to become a mature, respectable, productive member of society. Now, several years later, he realizes that family ties and good health are the two most important factors any person can have.

Pardon Services Canada assists people who want to obtain a pardon in order to do just that, put the past behind and move on. A Client Specialist ensures that all the required forms are created and compiled to support the application. Pardon Services Canada’s pro-active approach ensures that each case is processed expeditiously and applicants are kept informed at each stage of the process.

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.

Disclosing a Pardon for a Criminal Record Not Advisable

When a prospective employer requests a criminal record check through the Canadian Police Information Centre’s database, information about a pardoned conviction cannot be released.

Only one exception requires such disclosure, that being convictions for violent sexual or personal injury offences. These are “flagged” for vulnerable sector background checks. A vulnerable sector check will be performed for potential employees or volunteers who wish to work with children, ill or disabled people, or senior citizens.

The purpose of a pardon is to restrict access to a person’s criminal past, and once a pardon is granted, a conviction will not be disclosed on a background check. The person’s clean record is reinstated and there is no reason to ever have to admit it.

No one should ever feel compelled to volunteer information on a past conviction when a pardon has been granted. Unfortunately, sometimes when a person is asked directly if he has ever been convicted of a crime, the sense that honesty is the best policy prevails. He feels obliged to reveal that fact but to also state that he has received a pardon. However, is this decision wise?

In several Canadian provinces, human rights legislation prohibits discrimination based on a pardoned conviction. This protection may be theoretically guaranteed, but actual enforcement is not always assured. Discrimination based on other aspects such as gender, race, age, and disability is illegal, yet anecdotal evidence exists to show it is still practiced. Therefore, the reality is that a person who volunteers that he has a pardoned conviction will more than likely be passed over for someone else with a crime-free background.

Thus, if an employer poses any sort of question regarding the existence of a criminal record, anyone who has been granted a pardon can honestly reply that he has a clean criminal record. That pardon is a person’s vehicle with which he can wipe the slate clean, make a fresh start, and move on unencumbered.

Pardon Services Canada assists people who want to obtain a pardon in order to do just that, put the past behind and move on. A Client Specialist ensures that all the required forms are created and compiled to support the application. Pardon Services Canada’s pro-active approach ensures that each case is processed expeditiously and applicants are kept informed at each stage of the process.

Encumbered by Debt, Saw No Way Out

Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of [Henry Wheeler Shaw] – With significant debt and credit obligations, “John” became burdened with an enormous debt load as he was inexperienced with managing his financial commitments. Having multiple creditors and feeling powerless and fearful, he made the fateful decision to bilk his employer to try to make the long-overdue payments.


Since that time, he has attended a debt counseling workshop and has completely restored his excellent credit rating. With a supportive family, he has completed an apprenticeship at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and now holds a journeyman machinist certification. His path has not been easy, but he feels it has been rewarding, having learned many valuable lessons about himself and his role as husband, father, and member of the community.

His pardon has improved his ability to travel for work as well as allowed him to work in roles for which security clearance is required. He believes it has also helped to lessen the shame and embarrassment he feels due to the mistakes he has made. He looks forward to being able to help with his children’s sports teams and clubs by coaching or volunteering.

Anyone wanting to apply for a pardon should take advantage of a complimentary private consultation. 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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

The Canadian Police Information Center – What’s In There and What You Should Know

The Canadian Police Information Center is the only law enforcement networking computer system in Canada. This system which has been operational since 1972 ensures that officers across Canada have access to the same information. The system is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Each year there are approximately 3 million files generated – it is the responsibility of the originating agency, not the CPIC, to ensure the data integrity of each file. For comparison, in 2006 the latest year for which there are statistics, there were 2.45 Million crimes reported. That leaves 550 thousand files unaccounted for.

                

Why is this database relevant for Canadians? The increase in criminal background checks by employers and volunteer organization is sourced directly from this database. The RCMP, at the request of an employer releases any information about a person directly to the employer. Importantly, the database is not purely for criminal reports. As seen above, there are a huge number of cases logged into the database above and beyond the number of criminal reports.

                

What does this mean for Canadians? This means, that despite feeling confident about not having a police file, the possibility remains that the file does exists. Encounters with the police that are not of a criminal nature are also logged.  Persons who are deemed to be of ‘special interest’ to the police, for example, are logged. These persons may have committed no crimes, having purely been a witness of compliant.

                

What options do Canadians have? Every Canadian should check to see whether they have a criminal record. This can be done quickly and cheaply through accredited service providers. If the criminal record search reveals the existence of a file there are several options. A Canadian Pardon which will have the record hidden from all future searches. Alternatively, if a file exists but no criminal conviction, a Police File Purge is a logical option. This will petition the RCMP to remove the file from the database permanently.

                

Having a clear police file is imperative for Canadians. Having an existing file hampering future opportunities is an unnecessary risk. Look into your file; ensure that there is nothing holding you back from your potential.

               

For Information on Travelling with a Criminal Record try this blog

•          Canada Criminal Record

4.5 Million Need Not Apply – Criminal Records Catching Up With Canadians

             The myriad of job seekers in the post-recession economy was dealt another blow as revealed by a new report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP). The Report shows that 90% of companies use criminal background checks at some point in their hiring policies. The rise in the use of criminal record checks is now being coupled with stringent and unfair hiring policies in regards to previous criminal records. Companies such as Domino’s Pizza, Lowe’s and RadioShack have implemented policies that require applicants for positions to have “no criminal record. Period.” These employers alone comprise 415,400 jobs in Canada, the United States and abroad. Over 1 in 10 Canadians and 1 in 4 Americans have a criminal record. Many applicants have a record for minor offences that occurred years before and hold no bearing on the current position even so, they are not even considered.

                Labour advocacy groups have been arguing against the blanket restrictions on criminal records being imposed. Despite these calls to action the number of companies conducting background checks on applicants continues to grow. The argument that is put forward by advocates of the blanket restrictions is those corporations have a duty to provide a safe work environment for employees and customers. While this is true, a blanket restriction eliminates suitable candidates for discretions that are long since passed and currently have no bearing on the job or workplace security. The overall effect is detrimental to all parties as the possible pool of suitable employees is drastically reduced and the risk of recidivism and future crime is increased by unemployment.

                The recommendations that are made by labour advocates are sound. The restrictions on people with criminal records should be lessened to allow all suitable applicants the chance to apply for the betterment of the applicants and the corporations. There is an apparent need to protect job seekers from arbitrary, discriminatory and potentially illegal hiring practices.

                In Canada, the recourse against the wave of companies using background check lies in the realm of Pardon Services. Any Canadian can apply for a pardon if they have met the conditions and sentencing of the offence. Once obtained, a pardon can seal a criminal record from a corporation performing a background check. Through a pardon Canadians have the ability to leave their past behind them and continue towards a new job, career advancement, volunteer positions and a wealth of opportunities previously shut out because of a criminal record. 

Don’t Get Hit by the Omnibus: Pardon Regulation Set to Change

The brigade of campaign buses have been rolled out and the partisan trumpets are blasting party platform from coast to coast. Election time again in Canada. What does this mean for the Canadian Criminal Code and importantly, the issue of Pardons and the Pardoning Process?

                The Conservative Party of Canada, under Stephen Harper, has announced that if elected with enough of the vote, they will pass an all-encompassing crime bill. These are generally known as omnibus bills – bills that contain multiple pieces of legislation that affect various segments of the legal code. This is not a footnote of Conservative Party platform. The Harper government wants to pass this bill within 100 days of the election on May 2^nd.

                Inside the bus is Bill-C23B. This bill has the purpose of giving the National Parole Board of Canada more discretion and power. The bill states “National Parole Board has…exclusive jurisdiction to grant or refuse to grant or to revoke a pardon”. Regardless of the merits of implementing this amendment and others to the Canadian Criminal Code the implication for Canadians remains clear. The process for applying for a pardon – soon to be known as “record suspension” – will become more difficult. Between 2009 and 2010, 7,000 applications to the NPB were rejected because they were incomplete or ineligible. With these amendments that number is bound to rise.

                The large number of Canadians who are living with a criminal record, 13% and climbing, should be aware of the changes that will be coming down the legislative pipeline. There are options, Pardon Services exists to help Canadians successfully navigate the pardon process and arrive ultimately with a granted pardon. This enables Canadians to move forward, travel, receive due promotions and get employed. Pardon Services enables the growth of Canada and Canadians and will continue to do so as criminal legislation changes and moves forward.

                If you are keen to get your pardon before the enactment of these legislations visit the most trusted pardon service provider to get the process started today.  

HIRING PRACTICES EXPOSED - Red Carded Before the Game

Increasingly, companies are using criminal record checks in their hiring process before even talking to the applicant. The criminal record check industry has provided a readily available, popular, and inexpensive tool for pre-screening hopeful applicants. This use, now widespread, eliminates all job candidates with criminal records. People with criminal records are routinely being denied any opportunity to establish their job qualifications. Such a “blanket” approach is clearly flawed if not plain wrong; it seems not only unreasonable but also potentially illegal under civil rights laws.

Criminal background checks serve to determine the safety and security risk of candidates for employment or promotion. However, to assume that the existence of a criminal record accurately predicts such risk is illogical. Employers are using these checks as a way of determining character rather than qualification. The best qualified or even well-qualified individuals are being swept aside irrationally. These blanket exclusions provide no opportunity for employers to consider critical information, such as the nature and age of an offence plus its relationship to the job.

Another emerging aspect is the potential for covert discrimination – using criminal records to screen applicants serves as a facially neutral selection process that invites consideration and review. As such, the National Employment Law Project’s March 2011 report urges employers to reconsider their current hiring policies. An individualized assessment should take into account the nature and gravity of the offense(s), the time that has passed since the conviction and/or completion of the sentence, and the nature of the job held or sought. This approach would ensure that people with criminal records are not eliminated for youthful indiscretions, minor run-ins with the law, or more serious offenses from long ago.

Supporting this approach is the fact that a criminal record is difficult to interpret, making it a misleading tool to determine risk on the job. The BC Civil Liberties Association has raised concerns about employers using the PRIME (Police Records Information Management Environment) database for pre-employment checks. In the past, this database was considered a highly confidential tool for law enforcement. One of the problems inherent in using this database now for employment screening is that some information is being recorded as “negative contact,” a concept far too broad in scope for employers to base life-defining decisions upon. If it is going to be used increasingly for background checks, people will be demanding greater access to ensure information provided is accurate. 

This is another example of what you don’t know can hurt you. How many people can tell you with 100% certainty what is in their file? How many of these hiring managers even know what their file says about them? If you are serious about your employment search or career advancement – do your best to have ALL the answers before you become excited about an application submission. Your past experiences, hard work, education and qualifications may be worth absolutely nothing to a potential employer if you set off a red flag. 

Weeding Out the Criminal Record with a Pardon

“Maturity,” “sophistication,” “wisdom”: The adage youth is wasted on the young comes to mind when one realizes that maturity makes a person less innocent, after sophistication results from education, when wisdom yields good judgment and insight.

Here is the story of one Canadian having realized more fully the effect of using marijuana and the benefits of discontinuing the habit.

He was charged with his offence when he was just 19 years of age, in his first year of university. He was apprehended coming off the train with an amount of marijuana and some cookies. At the time, he used marijuana as a stress reducer but has since stopped.

Since his conviction, he has gone on to get his degree in computer science. After graduation, he started working as a technical support representative for a consulting company and was promoted to a technical lead position after just one year. About two years later, he moved to the Maritimes where he currently works as a software support representative.

A pardon has helped him to be able to apply to a broader scope of employment opportunities that previously were out of reach due to his criminal record. The background checks that potential employers might perform will now provide a clean slate with which he can move forward. His U.S. entry waiver will also allow him to travel freely to the U.S., which is required on occasion at his current job.

If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the wisdom that he most certainly has.

Sun of a Beach...Criminal Record Limits Travel

Canadians love to travel. This fact is reflected in the number of Canadians currently holding valid Canadian passports increasing to 60 percent from only 36 percent in 2005. Although the recession in 2008 kept many from travelling the way they would have liked, some choosing to pursue the “staycation” while the economy was sluggish, the number of people traveling has since rebounded.

During the 2010/2011 winter travel season, 10 percent more Canadians travelled to the US than the previous year, with Hawaii proving to be the one of the most attractive places. The US is a top destination for Canadians. In fact, several US locations are currently on the list of the top 25 beaches in the world for 2011. Unfortunately for some would be travelers, a Canadian criminal record limits your ability to travel to the US.

Travelling abroad has also seen a resurgence. In the winter, Canadians love the sun, choosing R & R on beaches and cruises. And during the other seasons, destinations like Mexico, Cuba, Britain, and China are increasingly popular. To take advantage of lower flight costs, a significant number of Canadian travelers are now going to the US for flights to US destinations and around the world.

Quite apparent is the position that the US holds in all these ventures. A predominance of travel is either to or through the US. What a shame it is that so many Canadians cannot even consider pursuing their dream vacations because they have a criminal record. Only through getting a pardon to remove that criminal record and receiving a waiver to gain entry into the US will that dream become a reality.

Spun Out of Control. . . Man Regains Life After Record Suspension.

“Regret,” “remorse,” “anguish,” “self-reproach” – all these feelings hang heavy when one truly realizes the consequences of wrong doing.

No matter how minor or serious the circumstance may be that a troubled person is contending with, to feel a measure of relief when having overcome the consequences is uplifting.

Here is the story of one person having become successful in his personal life putting his past behind him.

In 1987, he was found guilty of having a blood alcohol level exceeding .08 while driving. His vehicle hit some gravel, spun out of control, and rolled over. He is so very thankful that there were no other vehicles or individuals involved. He deeply regrets this incident and has made many positive changes in his life as a result. He has not, since the date of his conviction, driven under the influence of alcohol. This event has been something he has had to live with for over twenty years.

He has two teenage children currently learning to drive and looking forward to attending university. He often reminds them of his circumstances and strongly encourages them to learn from his mistakes.

He currently teaches in workshops for corporate clients. He greatly enjoys educating adults and seeing how their careers benefit. Increasingly, organizations are asking for criminal background checks in order to do work through a vendor. This record suspension has allowed him to continue to educate and not limit his ability to earn a living.

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.

Seeking A Pardon Is The Only Recourse To Removing A Criminal Record.

Since 1970, over 400,000 Canadians have been issued pardons. 96% of those recipients have remained crime free in our communities. Why have so many Canadians endeavored to obtain their pardons, ridding themselves of their criminal records? Once people convicted of a crime have completed their sentence, paid their fine, or complied in any other way that the courts have ordered, shouldn’t they feel relieved? Shouldn’t they be able to put their mind at rest knowing that they have “paid their dues” and can now move forward and re-establish?

The fact is that everyone wants to undo errors in judgment that led them to having a criminal record. Get a new job, volunteer at their children’s school, coach a sports team, adopt a child, change one’s name, maintain custody of children during separation or divorce, these opportunities and others are not possible unless their criminal records are sealed through obtaining a pardon.

In addition, they most likely seek respite from the physiological and psychological impact of the burden that a criminal record causes. Not only do they want to move forward, they also want to gain peace of mind. When confronted with the procedure of undergoing a criminal record check while being considered for a promotion or a new job, while wishing to be able to volunteer for community endeavors, while worrying about friends or neighbours discovering the past: The stress can and does cause physical and psychological trauma. Anyone has the opportunity to have their record checked and should do so for peace of mind.

The RCMP is the only body in Canada with the authority to perform criminal record background checks. Employers are increasingly using criminal record checks, through the RCMP, when qualifying prospective and current employees for new hires and promotions. An otherwise qualified person can expect to be turned down, even if the conviction was for a seemingly insignificant offence that happened long ago. That record exists and can be seen by employers. Even more unsettling is the fact that some companies have started applying their new criminal record policies retroactively. Long-term employees have been dismissed because of a minor, old offence.

Receiving a pardon enables a person to live just as if he had never committed a crime – a pardoned crime will not be disclosed on a criminal record check provided by the RCMP. A clean criminal record is a requirement for moving forward, and applying for a pardon is the route to follow. Obtaining a pardon is a long process, so it’s best to start well in advance. Seeking the assistance of a pardon services specialist will make that process easier and provide the assurance needed.

The New Canadian Pardon: More Expensive & Harder to Get. Really?

The Canadian Government has proposed that the cost of applying for a pardon be raised to $631, after only recently raising it from $50 to $150. Some people feel that those who commit crimes should have to pay for their own rehabilitation, whereas others feel that if getting a Canadian pardon proves too difficult or expensive, many will never be rehabilitated.

Quite interesting is the fact that, for pardoning criminal records, the price is under debate at the same time as the general requirements: Is the pardons process strict enough, or should it be made more difficult?

This raises two important questions for discussion:

Raise the price? The Government claims it would offset the cost to the taxpayer – a claim that defies logic to some degree. Consider that taxpayers’ money is used to administer the justice system. Raising the cost of a pardon – and quite significantly - would prove obtaining a pardon prohibitive for many, most likely because their criminal records are currently preventing them from  becoming gainfully employed. Not being gainfully employed results in the individual NOT being able to contribute to the public purse, and in some cases actually taking more away from it by relying on some form of public assistance. These people want to work. They are willing to pay taxes. Why stop them?

Make the process more difficult? One might well wonder what end this would serve. Take economics out of the equation. People who are legally entitled to receive a criminal pardon and are well rehabilitated or certainly have learned their lesson should not be further tripped up with another stumbling block. These are people who are working hard and are contributing members of society. The Canadian pardon process is already fair and effective, although it requires accuracy and thoroughness both on the part of the Parole Board of Canada and the applicant. Many people seek the assistance of Client Specialists to assure accuracy & thoroughness to better guarantee success with their application. But why make the process more complicated? A person who is working hard at life and contributing to society is not planning crimes. Do they really need more paperwork in Ottawa?

Because the spectrum of crime in Canada is so great, the likelihood of the average person knowing and/or associating with someone who has a criminal record is actually very high. Many everyday people have a minor conviction along with a criminal record. Most of these convictions are usually the result of a lapse of better judgment rather than an outright strategic criminal endeavor.

To make pardons more expensive or more difficult to obtain would be harsh and counterproductive to the average person.

Ultimately it will take more money away from the Government through lost future employment taxes than is collected from a one-time increased application fee. Rather than serving as a significant deterrent to the intended criminal, it hinders the productive rehabilitated individuals and looks more like an immediate, non-logical cash grab by the Government.

A Straight Life Is The Best Life - Leading By Example

“Success”: favorable termination of attempts; attainment; triumph; fruition – the concept, regardless of how it is defined, always produces a positive, anticipating, elating feeling.

No matter how minor or serious the circumstance might be that a troubled person is contending with, to feel a measure of success when having overcome the consequences is uplifting to say the least.

Here is a brief story of a woman who, after overcoming a controlling drug addiction, has become successful and content and has gained a renewed sense of well being after receiving her Canadian pardon.

As a young woman she was introduced to drugs, which led to a life of destruction, as is so obvious. She worked hard to totally dissociate herself from all involvement with crime or past associates. She is very remorseful when looking back and realizing all those wasted years. She has not indulged in drugs or alcohol for nearly twenty years. Her goals now are to continue teach her family by example - that a straight life is the best life. And to continue to grow - by helping her community thus achieving self-fulfillment.

She has done a complete turnaround with the love and support of her family who have helped her overcome her past. She has lived a quiet life, caring for her grandson while her daughter worked and her elderly mother. She also taught illiterate adults to read and write, a most valuable experience as she was helping not only herself, but others as well.

A pardon from Pardon Services Canada has given her the freedom to travel with her family to the U.S. on holidays. She no longer lives with the fear of someone in the community finding out about her past, which she so regrets. She also has been given the opportunity to do volunteer work that her criminal record had previously prevented.

If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help applying for and obtaining your Canadian criminal pardon. You too can gain the peace of mind and a second shot at living a life free of a criminal record.

Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let your past limit your future.

Realizations When You Remove Your Criminal Record

At Pardon Services Canada, we deal with people from all walks of life. The one common element they all share is a spot on their record from the past. In order to move on with their lives without hassle as a result of this record, obtaining a criminal pardon is the logical next step. This opens up a myriad of opportunities.

Here is a assorted list of things people realize when they Remove Their Record.

Peace of mind
The most important reason to remove your criminal record is to take that weight off your shoulders once and for all. Relax and simply move on with your life, at long last.


Family vacations
Wouldn't you like to take your family somewhere other than Canada? With your criminal record expunged, and waiver for the US organized, you can travel without hindrance to places you have dreamed of traveling to.

Self forgiveness
We are hardest on ourselves. If you are in a position to be forgiven by the law, your society and the world, it is time to forgive yourself as well. Removing your record will erase that part of your past, and the darkness on your mind, once and for all.

Some sayings/quotes make more sense now
Some famous quotes surround the issue of pardons and forgiveness.
Here are a few:

To err is human, to forgive, divine.
Alexander Pope
Essay on Criticism

Forgiveness is better than revenge.
Pittacus of Mitylene
Heraclitus

I pardon him as God shall pardon me.
William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second (King Henry at V, iii)

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Gandhi

Forgive thyself little, and others much.
Leighton

Always forgive your enemies--nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde

Lesson from history
When the first George Washington was young, he chopped down a mature cherry tree in his backyard. His father was furious, and when asked if he had done it, he said: "I cannot tell a lie..I did cut it with my little hatchet." The tale is famous because it not only told of the importance of truth and honesty, but also the folly found within every man, and the forgiveness we all gain over time. This young boy overcame the stigma of a small transgression to become the most powerful man of his day.

A new leaf
People change. While we may have been more reckless and wild in our youth, we mellow with age, we mature, and we become more responsible. It is unfair and unnecessary to carry a stigma throughout your entire life from the indiscretions of your youth. Forgiveness is forgiveness, and people are allowed to learn and grow. Without pardons, there would be no forward progress.

Privacy
In some provinces, one person can explicitly request another person’s criminal record. Your business should be your business, especially if you have already completed your sentence – whatever it was. With a pardon, your record will be hidden, and your past forgotten and inaccessible.

Closure
Simply knowing that you have a criminal record can be a stressful burden. It can create tension, both real and imagined, with family, friends and loved ones. With your record removed once and for all, you can breathe easy again.

A good night's sleep
Worrying about the ramifications of a having a criminal record can keep you up at night. Will my boss find out? Should I tell my family? How will I cross the border? Will they know? Is it really worth it? If you have your record expunged once and for all, you will be able to rest easy.

Canadian citizenship
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you still can have a Canadian criminal record. This can be a problem if you have been waiting for your citizenship papers to come through, or if you have loved ones in the country dependent on you. It is impossible to gain citizenship with a criminal record, unless, of course, you acquire a pardon first. If you are a landed immigrant and you get a record, you could be faced with deportation. Don’t let this happen. Contact us first.

Everyday hassles
If you are pulled over by the police for any reason, they can run your name and see that you have a criminal record, no matter when it happened. Customs officers also have access to your record; even if you cross the border to go shopping, they can see everything. With a pardon, these records are removed from view and awkward explainable situations are eliminated.

Education
More and more programs require that you complete a criminal record check before applying. A pardon can keep your files separate so that your record will not appear in a search and you can further your education based on your merits.

Bondability
There are many jobs that require an employer to take insurance out on their employees. Security agencies, banks, even most moving companies will ask you to be bonded. While having a criminal record may not prevent you from getting the job outright, it is more expensive for an employer to bond you with a record, so they may choose to go with the other candidate simply because he/she does not have a record (or already had their record removed!)

Adoption
You may not be allowed to adopt a child if you have a criminal record. Often, people are not aware of this stipulation and find out too late that their record is in the way. It is best to remove your record far in advance, to keep your doors open for the future.

Finally bury that skeleton
Many people live with a criminal record as if it is a skeleton in a closet. They don't want to talk about it. They just want to pretend it isn't there at all. Unfortunately, sometimes your past can come back to haunt you, and often at the most inappropriate times. Family vacations, business trips to the United States, and nosy people prying can bring a forgotten record back to life. Sometimes, it's easier to just have it gone – for good.

Future employment
Many employers ask for a background check before you begin working. Positions may ask that you be “bonded,” which means that you must have no record on file. In this uncertain market, it is advisable to not only have an updated resume, but take the time to have your record expunged so that you do not eliminate yourself from new or future opportunities or advancement.

"Spot checks" at the workplace
Companies are known to cull the heard. It is becoming more common for employers to do a criminal background check on their current employees. Overnight, you could lose your job. It happens. Get a pardon.

Volunteering
You may not be able to volunteer for many worthy causes with a criminal record. With a pardon, your record will be sealed and you will be able to maintain your social responsibilities.

International travel
Canada is a diverse nation of diverse people. While our country is truly fantastic, do not limit yourself from seeing the world! You may not be able to travel outside of Canada with a criminal record.

Now just think.

How many of things on this assorted list apply to you? You are not alone. Infact, 13% of all Canadians have a criminal record. Even if you do not have a criminal record, chances are that you know someone who does.

Either way, there is great news. Pardon Services Canada can help you. Actually, we guarentee that we can help you get your pardon - or your money back. Our success rate is 99%.

If you are serious about taking the next steps, or you just need a little more information, call us now. We have a specialist for you - no matter what your record. Call 1-8-NOW-PARDON. Let's remove your record!