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A criminal record suspension is a process that removes a person's criminal record from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, making it inaccessible during standard background checks. It applies to individuals who have completed their sentence and demonstrated rehabilitation, providing them with better opportunities for employment, education, and reintegration into society.
You can apply once you have completed all parts of your sentence, including jail time, fines, and probation. Additionally, you must wait the required period (3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the offence) and demonstrate good conduct with no new criminal charges during this time.
Once your record suspension application is deemed eligible and complete, the Parole Board of Canada processes applications within the following timeframes:
6 months: For offences tried summarily.
12 months: For offences tried by indictment.
Up to 24 months: If the Parole Board proposes to refuse the record suspension. This extended timeline is due to the requirement under the Criminal Records Act to notify the applicant in writing, allowing them to provide any relevant information or representations before a final decision is made.
In Canada, the term pardon has been replaced by criminal record suspension since 2012, but the process remains largely the same. A criminal record suspension does not erase the record but separates it from other criminal records, making it inaccessible during standard background checks by employers, organizations, and other entities. However, the suspension can be revoked if a new offence is committed.
5 years: For an offence prosecuted by indictment.
3 years: For an offence punishable on summary conviction.
10 Years: For serious personal injury offences (as defined in section 752 of the Criminal Code), including manslaughter, if sentenced to 2+ years in prison, or for offences listed in Schedule 1 and prosecuted by indictment.
5 Years: For other indictable offences or Schedule 1 offences punishable by summary conviction.
3 Years: For all other offences punishable by summary conviction.
10 years: For an offence prosecuted by indictment.
5 years: For an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Ineligible if: