Articles

Crime, Punishment, Compassion: The Disproportionate Impact of Canada’s Criminal Justice System on Black and Indigenous Communities by Chelsey Legge, Ontario Lawyer and Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada. A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals.  — Fyodor Dostoyevsky In Canada, as…

Working From Home? You May Still Need A Pardon by Joel LaForest, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had an increasingly volatile impact on businesses in virtually all industries. Across the country, employers have been forced to shut their doors to the public, leaving thousands of Canadians and residents jobless…

The Most Common Criminal Offence in Canada by Eugene Ohotnikov, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada You might make a reasonable guess that the most common criminal offence in Canada relates to theft or assault. But actually, the #1 offence in Canada is caused when someone gets behind the wheel under the influence of…

Should Violent or Sexual Offenders Be Granted Record Suspensions? by Joel LaForest, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada In Canada, violent and sexual offenders do not have the same ability to apply for a Record Suspension as those convicted of other offences. To clarify, a “Record Suspension” is more commonly referred to as Pardon….

What Is A Cannabis Record Suspension? by Joel LaForest, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada Bill C-45, also known as the Cannabis Act, was passed by the Canadian federal government in November of 2017 and approved by the Senate in June of 2018. It was the result of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party’s work shortly after…

7 Ways a Pardon Could Benefit Your Life by Eugene Ohotnikov, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada Despite certain attempts to reduce discrimination, having a criminal record can still make life much more difficult. Fortunately, pardons in Canada provide a way out for those on file in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) who…

Why Finding a Job with a Criminal Record is Such a Challenge by Eugene Ohotnikov, Research Analyst with Pardon Applications of Canada As the criminal screening of employees in Canada is now commonplace, removing a publicly visible criminal record before applying for a job has become increasingly important. Even after being hired, there is no…

Criminal Record Discrimination by Employers and How a Pardon Can Help Employment is a crucial factor in preventing crime. A good, stable job provides not only income but also opportunities to learn skills, be productive, build self-esteem, and contribute to our communities. A quality workplace can be an environment of growth and connection — a…

Life After Being Granted a Record Suspension Obtaining a Record Suspension (also known as a Pardon, depending on the age of the offences) in Canada for past convictions can open up a lot of doors left closed by a criminal record. Finding employment, traveling, and applying for financing, for example, are all measurable benefits a…

Has COVID-19 Affected Crime Rates In Canada? In recent months, the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a shift in crime trends across Canada. During the first 4 months of the pandemic, overall incidents of reported crime were reduced by 16% compared to the previous year. Reports have also noted a 25% decrease in reported property crimes,…

Can a Pardon Offer a Better Future? Pardons in Canada are granted by the Parole Board of Canada, a government body which makes independent decisions on each Pardon (record suspension) application. It is an opportunity for criminally convicted individuals to seal their criminal record from public visibility. Assuming eligibility, even those with serious offences, or…

Is Crime Increasing or Decreasing in Canada? Since 1962, Statistics Canada has been collecting and analyzing data on criminal incidents in the country. But what does this data say about whether crime is increasing or decreasing? Data collected in this analysis includes crimes that were reported to the police and then substantiated by further investigations….

3 Common Mistakes When Applying for a Record Suspension For individuals who’ve been convicted of a criminal offense, applying for a Pardon (Canadian Record Suspension) can be one of the best things to do after their sentence has been served out in its entirety. However, mistakes can be made when applying for a Record Suspension…

Are Sexual and Violent Offenders Slipping Through the Cracks? Since 1972, criminal records in Canada have been stored by a division of the RCMP known as the Canadian Police Information Centre or “CPIC” for short. CPIC is a database of all recorded criminal convictions and non-conviction charges in the country, which have not been granted…

A Brief History of the Criminal Records Act in Canada Throughout history, humans have sought out rules and laws to help protect themselves and their loved ones from crime; to govern their societies; as well as to provide a fair and just environment for everyone to live in. These rules and laws weren’t only designed…

How a Pardon Helps You Actually Get Hired Canadian Pardons play a significant role in helping individuals with criminal records secure a new job in several ways. A Pardon significantly impacts the opportunity of being able to pass background checks which are required for employment in different organizations in Canada. Criminal Background Checks The standardization…

Can a Pardon in Canada be Revoked? For Canadians living with a criminal record, being granted a Pardon (also known as a Record Suspension) can be a truly life-changing experience. In fact, for some people, holding a criminal record can be so limiting and debilitating, that when their Pardon application is finally approved, it can…

Having a criminal record can complicate an individual’s life in several ways. A criminal record does not go away with time but instead serves as a reminder of past actions. A criminal record can be used against an individual when they are trying to get a job or are simply looking for a decent place…

Thinking of applying for a Canadian Pardon? Take a look at the history of the Canadian penal system, and you’ll find that only a few hundred years ago, our ancestors were using hot iron branding to permanently mark the bodies of criminals who’d been convicted of an offense. Back then, if a criminal had stolen…

Every year, many Canadians and residents are prevented from securing new jobs, getting promotions, doing volunteer work, and traveling to other countries due to their criminal record. Obtaining a Pardon can help solve this problem and allow these individuals to live their life as law-abiding citizens in good standing. Numerous policies focus on the rehabilitation…