Category: Pardon
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Are Pardons Still Being Processed During COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the Canadian government’s efficiency in providing services, and pardon applications are no exception. For those living with a criminal record, current times are especially challenging. Finding employment and housing can be a struggle if you have a criminal record, but the pandemic has only added to the problem by…
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Great News: The Parole Board of Canada is Faster Than Ever!
Since opening our doors in 2002 we have seen simple pardon applications take well over two years to complete. That is after all of the paperwork is done and the file has already been sent to the Parole Board of Canada. Of course back then it was called the National Parole Board but a politician decided,…
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Pardons for Simple Possession of Marijuana
The Liberal government finally announced that they will provide an expedited route to getting pardons for simple marijuana convictions. This came on the day of the monumental shift in Canadian drug policy that will surely result in fewer young people having their lives turned upside for a rather harmless activity. Pardons for marijuana convictions however…
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Peace Bonds in Ontario
Peace Bonds in Ontario: How Do They Work? The main thing most people know about the conviction process in North America (or anywhere else for that matter) is that it involves a trial. Ask anyone on the street what a criminal procedure might look like, and their answer will likely be informed by what they’ve…
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Much Ado About the Border
I wish I was a bit more cutthroat. If I were I would probably follow our brave politicians and tell my clients to be perfectly honest at the US border, particularly in relation to marijuana. If I did that more people would be denied access to the United States and they would need help with…
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Record Suspension User Fee – Consultation Report
The record suspension consultation report has been released. You can view the results here. https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/programs/user-fee-consultation/record-suspension-user-fee-consultation-full-report.html I don’t see anything in it that is terribly surprising. But at least it appears that things are headed in the right direction.
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UPDATE FOR BC AND ONTARIO PARDON APPLICANTS CONVICTED PRIOR TO MARCH 2012
Good news for pardon applicants currently residing in British Columbia and Ontario. The Parole Board of Canada is upholding recent court decisions in those provinces which found retroactive changes to the pardon program under Stephen Harper and the Conservative’s ‘tough on crime’ stance to be unconstitutional. Bill C-10, which came into full effect as of…
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How to Get a DUI Pardon – Is DUI a Criminal Offense in Canada
There are many names for a DUI. But whichever you choose you should know that it is the most commonly pardoned criminal conviction in Canada. The chances are good that you will be familiar with at least one or two of them. But whatever you want to call it the charge is the same and…
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Parole Board Launches Online Consultation on Record Suspensions
Yesterday the Parole Board of Canada launched the public consultation on record suspensions and pardons. Please take a moment to complete the survey and provide your input. In person consultations have, strangely enough, been taking place since September (at least that’s what the website says) but I’ve submitted my request to participate anyway. Please take…
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Testimonial – S.H
Hello, My Name is S.M. I was convicted summarily for 1 count Sexual Interference and one count of possession of child pornography. I have never had any problems with the law before 2010. Long story short of it is that I dated a girl I believed to be of age that I later found out wasn’t…