Formerly known as a pardon, a record suspension seals your record from the public. This can be invaluable for many purposes, including getting a job and volunteering.
A Record Suspension enables individuals who were convicted of a criminal offence to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records. A Record Suspension removes a person’s criminal record from the Canadian Information Centre (CPIC) database. This process, often referred to as “sealing” a criminal record, ensures that a search of CPIC will not reveal that the individual has a criminal record or a record suspension. Under the Criminal Records Act (CRA) the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is the official agency responsible for ordering, denying and revoking record suspensions for convictions under federal acts or regulations of Canada.
A Record Suspension is available to individuals who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are law-abiding citizens for a prescribed number of years. The waiting period before which a person may apply for a Record Suspension depends on whether the offence is a “summary” offence (generally less serious offences) or an “indictable offence” (generally more serious offences). The waiting period for a Summary offence is 5 years and 10 years for an Indictable offence. (Eligibility starts from the time you fully Completed your Sentence, including payments of Fine, Donations, Restitutions, Surcharges, etc.
Obtaining a Record Suspension enables individuals to access employment and educational opportunities, obtain foreign visas and to generally reintegrate into society. A Record Suspension also provides peace of mind for a person with a criminal record when faced with: criminal background checks, career advancement, immigration and volunteer positions.
Yes, a Record Suspension can be revoked or cease to have effect if you are:
When a Record Suspension is revoked or ceases to have effect, the record of the criminal offences is added back in to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database.