Canadian Pardons & Waivers

The word ‘pardon’ has been around for nearly a thousand years; it’s derived from the Medieval Latin term perdōnāre, meaning to remit, overlook, or forgive. In the Germanic tongue it meant ‘kind indulgence, as in forgiveness of an offense or discourtesy’. Now in modern times, to pardon someone legally means ‘a release from the penalty of an offense; forgiveness of a serious offense or offender’. As of March 2012, the term ‘pardon’ was scrapped altogether in favour of the more accurate ‘record suspension’, which comes with new rules for administration, but you get the idea: it’s still an indulgence from the government to overlook or forgive your criminal record, so you can basically get on with your life.

But I already did the time!

It doesn’t really matter whether you’ve served your sentence, paid restitution, and abided by the conditions of your parole; unfortunately, for Canadians with a criminal record, that’s really just the beginning. Then comes a long waiting period (5 to 10 years, depending on the offense) of waiting to be truly ‘forgiven’ so you can start over with a clean slate. The way the law is designed, it’s the offender’s responsibility to petition for that fresh start; contrary to popular belief, the legal system does not automatically expunge, seal or destroy a criminal record. Instead, you have to apply for a record suspension and meet the conditions therein. That’s why Dominion Pardons & Waivers has been serving Canadians all over the country, helping remove the barriers that a criminal record can impose on your ability to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as Canadians without a criminal record.

A criminal record limits you in ways you might not have even imagined

Not only are most Canadians with a criminal record unaware of the grave consequences, those without such a record usually don’t understand or sympathize; employers, especially, commonly hold people back because of a mistake they made 5, 10, 15, or 20 years ago. Part of the reason for this never-ending punishment is because a succession of ‘tough on crime’ Federal governments in the current Neo-Liberal political climate have promoted stiffer penalties and consequences for crimes, and longer wait times for Canadian pardons, even when it comes to crimes some would consider ‘petty’, such as petty theft, trespass, or possession of soft drugs for personal use.

Here are some of the ways a criminal record can hold you back:

• Prevent you from getting a job, especially in sectors like government, finance, health care, child care and senior care
• Prevent you from opening and operating your own business
• Stop you from advancing in your career
• Limit your travel
• Bar you from volunteering in your community
• Make it impossible to get bonded
• Raise your insurance rates or cause your insurance application to be denied
• Delay or prevent your becoming a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• Prevent your getting custody and/or access with your children
• Bar you from renting certain apartments
• Stop you from joining professional associations and memberships
• Hinder your ability to get into a great school

Sounds downright vengeful for the system to behave this way toward rehabilitated offenders, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, there is help. Dominion Pardons & Waivers has been helping Canadians with criminal records obtain pardons and waivers for years. We know the ins and outs of the system, and can help you get your record destroyed so no one can ever hold you back again. Call today for your free, confidential assessment and start looking forward to the future again!

Call TOLL FREE 1-888-890-1321

or fill out the online inquiry below and have a qualified agent help you see if you are eligible to clear your criminal record with a Pardon, or gain access to the United States with an Entry Waiver.