Pardons allow new start, applicants say.
Here is a brief summary of a recent article by CBC News. To read the original article, please follow the link at the bottom of this article.
Old habits do die hard, but there comes a time when habits have to be broken: The cycle that so often plagues people struggling to cope with too little, if any, income and the demands of daily life – the cycle that sometimes leads to desperate acts, often illegal ones, results in a criminal record.
Over 4 million people in Canada have criminal records; and spokespeople at the Parole Board of Canada, the RCMP, and the Department of Justice say that only a very small percentage of people apply for pardons, often because they have no choice. Applying for a pardon is a long process involving hundreds of dollars in expenses in addition to the administrative fee that the Parole Board now charges – a fee increased just last December from $50 to $150.
If a person has a criminal record and has not been pardoned, finding housing, crossing the border into the U.S., getting a job, even just part time, is next to impossible. Not having a pardon is a “big deal.” Many application forms ask if the applicant has committed a crime for which the person has not been pardoned. Even when a company might hire someone without checking his or her criminal history, there is the constant fear that the criminal record will be discovered. And should a situation occur that causes management to do a company-wide background check, that record will indeed be discovered, usually leading to dismissal.
To apply for a pardon, individuals must have served their sentences or paid their fines and lived crime-free for five or ten years, depending on the severity of the offence; and they must pay the application fee. Now the Parole Board wants to raise that fee to more than $600 from $150, and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews feels that the applicant “should be paying for those pardons on a cost-recovery basis” – that is, pay the full cost, believing ordinary Canadians shouldn’t have to shoulder the expense.
Individuals can apply for a pardon by themselves however, the process can be difficult. The petition can be aided by using Pardon Services Canada, a reputable private company established in 1989 and having a success rate of 99 percent. The services include creating and compiling all the necessary forms required to support the application and handling all communications from the NPB and other government agencies. All documents required are obtained in a timely manner, and each case is processed expeditiously.
The Harper government wants the Parole Board to allow fewer pardon applications and spend more time on each, with the board’s cost breakdown estimating the increased administrative cost at $631!
Opponents of the heftier fees feel the issue is about more than cost. Most individuals applying for pardons live on low incomes, and the additional amount is purely out of reach. Toews recognizes these legitimate factors, thus the Parole Board held public consultations in February when Canadians were asked to say what they thought of quadrupling the price. Dozens of people reacted by saying that the higher cost will make a pardon impossible to get.
Most pardons are given to people who commit non-violent offences. Worthy of note is this list of Offences from 2000-2010 that earned pardons. Shouldn’t we be helping rather than hindering those who struggle to reintegrate into society?
References:
Pardons allow new start, applicants say
Parole board begins consultations on pardon application fee hike
Old habits do die hard, but there comes a time when habits have to be broken: The cycle that so often plagues people struggling to cope with too little, if any, income and the demands of daily life – the cycle that sometimes leads to desperate acts, often illegal ones, results in a criminal record.
Over 4 million people in Canada have criminal records; and spokespeople at the Parole Board of Canada, the RCMP, and the Department of Justice say that only a very small percentage of people apply for pardons, often because they have no choice. Applying for a pardon is a long process involving hundreds of dollars in expenses in addition to the administrative fee that the Parole Board now charges – a fee increased just last December from $50 to $150.
If a person has a criminal record and has not been pardoned, finding housing, crossing the border into the U.S., getting a job, even just part time, is next to impossible. Not having a pardon is a “big deal.” Many application forms ask if the applicant has committed a crime for which the person has not been pardoned. Even when a company might hire someone without checking his or her criminal history, there is the constant fear that the criminal record will be discovered. And should a situation occur that causes management to do a company-wide background check, that record will indeed be discovered, usually leading to dismissal.
To apply for a pardon, individuals must have served their sentences or paid their fines and lived crime-free for five or ten years, depending on the severity of the offence; and they must pay the application fee. Now the Parole Board wants to raise that fee to more than $600 from $150, and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews feels that the applicant “should be paying for those pardons on a cost-recovery basis” – that is, pay the full cost, believing ordinary Canadians shouldn’t have to shoulder the expense.
Individuals can apply for a pardon by themselves however, the process can be difficult. The petition can be aided by using Pardon Services Canada, a reputable private company established in 1989 and having a success rate of 99 percent. The services include creating and compiling all the necessary forms required to support the application and handling all communications from the NPB and other government agencies. All documents required are obtained in a timely manner, and each case is processed expeditiously.
The Harper government wants the Parole Board to allow fewer pardon applications and spend more time on each, with the board’s cost breakdown estimating the increased administrative cost at $631!
Opponents of the heftier fees feel the issue is about more than cost. Most individuals applying for pardons live on low incomes, and the additional amount is purely out of reach. Toews recognizes these legitimate factors, thus the Parole Board held public consultations in February when Canadians were asked to say what they thought of quadrupling the price. Dozens of people reacted by saying that the higher cost will make a pardon impossible to get.
Most pardons are given to people who commit non-violent offences. Worthy of note is this list of Offences from 2000-2010 that earned pardons. Shouldn’t we be helping rather than hindering those who struggle to reintegrate into society?
References:
Pardons allow new start, applicants say
Parole board begins consultations on pardon application fee hike
Options should you be stopped at the U.S. border.
Here is a brief summary of an article that recently appeared in The Globe and Mail. To read the original article, please follow the link at the bottom of this summary.
What should you do if denied entry because of a criminal conviction, perhaps one that happened decades ago?
Consider this hypothetical experience: Imagine you're at a U.S. Immigration checkpoint, travelling to attend a meeting or convention, close a business transaction, or take trip to Disneyland. A U.S. Immigration officer discovers that you were involved in a “criminal matter” years ago.
If you’re denied entry to the United States, your travel plans may be jeopardized, and it might even have a detrimental effect on your career – travelling south of the border is what many Canadian business people do occasionally as part of their jobs.
If so, here’s a word to the wise: Don’t panic. It’s understandable that you might become nervous in such a situation, appearing suspect to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. It might even be tempting to ramble on in a way that makes an officer suspicious. Others might lose their cool and display a bad attitude. None of these reactions would prove beneficial and could result in refusal of admission.
So if you’re questioned about your prior criminal history, think carefully before answering, and remain calm. Instead, fully disclose all your arrests and convictions, including any “minor indiscretions” that might have happened long ago as a youth or young adult.
U.S. immigration laws outline specific categories of crimes and offences that generally categorize inadmissibility offences. Canadian travellers can find themselves questioned about their inadmissibility for instances in their past involving either drug-related offences (controlled-substance violations) or crimes involving dishonesty (crimes involving moral turpitude). There are exceptions to the rule, though, and recalling as many facts as possible may allow you to make your originally scheduled flight to the United States.
Even in the event that you’re turned away that day, there’s still hope. You may be able to apply for a Non-immigrant Waiver of Inadmissibility to the United States. Or you may have to provide court records demonstrating that the inadmissibility provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act don’t apply in your case.
Even if you are not technically inadmissible to the United States, you may require advance assessment by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Admissibility Review Office to advise of your admissibility in the form of an official letter.
So stay calm, don’t panic, and don’t do anything foolish. Work within the system, and if necessary, work with an expert and chances are you’ll be able to return to the United States without having to worry.
Read the full story Denied entry to the U.S.? Don’t panic. by Tony Wilson as it appeared in the Globe and Mail.
What should you do if denied entry because of a criminal conviction, perhaps one that happened decades ago?
Consider this hypothetical experience: Imagine you're at a U.S. Immigration checkpoint, travelling to attend a meeting or convention, close a business transaction, or take trip to Disneyland. A U.S. Immigration officer discovers that you were involved in a “criminal matter” years ago.
If you’re denied entry to the United States, your travel plans may be jeopardized, and it might even have a detrimental effect on your career – travelling south of the border is what many Canadian business people do occasionally as part of their jobs.
If so, here’s a word to the wise: Don’t panic. It’s understandable that you might become nervous in such a situation, appearing suspect to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. It might even be tempting to ramble on in a way that makes an officer suspicious. Others might lose their cool and display a bad attitude. None of these reactions would prove beneficial and could result in refusal of admission.
So if you’re questioned about your prior criminal history, think carefully before answering, and remain calm. Instead, fully disclose all your arrests and convictions, including any “minor indiscretions” that might have happened long ago as a youth or young adult.
U.S. immigration laws outline specific categories of crimes and offences that generally categorize inadmissibility offences. Canadian travellers can find themselves questioned about their inadmissibility for instances in their past involving either drug-related offences (controlled-substance violations) or crimes involving dishonesty (crimes involving moral turpitude). There are exceptions to the rule, though, and recalling as many facts as possible may allow you to make your originally scheduled flight to the United States.
Even in the event that you’re turned away that day, there’s still hope. You may be able to apply for a Non-immigrant Waiver of Inadmissibility to the United States. Or you may have to provide court records demonstrating that the inadmissibility provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act don’t apply in your case.
Even if you are not technically inadmissible to the United States, you may require advance assessment by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Admissibility Review Office to advise of your admissibility in the form of an official letter.
So stay calm, don’t panic, and don’t do anything foolish. Work within the system, and if necessary, work with an expert and chances are you’ll be able to return to the United States without having to worry.
Read the full story Denied entry to the U.S.? Don’t panic. by Tony Wilson as it appeared in the Globe and Mail.
Pardon Canada News Release - Proposed Changes Hit Hard
PARDON CANADA - OTTAWA -- Proposed changes to restrict criminal pardons would exclude almost one of every four currently eligible applicants, newly released statistics indicate.
When combined with a planned quadrupling of the application fee and new rigour in background checks, so-called "criminal record suspensions" are likely to become far more difficult to obtain.
Even routine speeding tickets and unpaid parking fines are being used to reject pardon applications, according to three large commercial agencies that help former convicts apply.
The triple blow to the pardon regime has critics up in arms, saying the Conservative government is exploiting public revulsion over the pardon of serial sex offender Graham James.
"Frankly, it's the fault of the government, who is trying to conjure up bogeymen on every corner," said Liberal public safety critic Mark Holland.
Adds NDP public safety critic Don Davies: "It's ill-advised, it's arbitrary and it would prevent many deserving Canadians from getting a pardon."
The Canadian Press revealed last spring that James, a former junior hockey coach, had been quietly pardoned in 2007. The resulting public and political furor caused Parliament to rush in immediate reforms, with more still pending.
A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the changes are necessary. Last June's legislation "gave the Parole Board of Canada the authority needed to decide if granting a pardon is warranted, and ensure that the waiting period to apply for a pardon better reflects the severity of the crimes committed," Chris McCluskey said in an email.
As for proposed Conservative changes that would bar anyone with more than three convictions from ever being eligible for a pardon, McCluskey said "these reforms would make repeat offenders more accountable to their victims for their actions."
But actual pardon statistics, and people who work in the field, suggest the reform will put a pardon out of reach for thousands of minor offenders. "My typical client was in his 20s, got caught drunk driving or shoplifting or smoked marijuana, peed in an alley or got in a fight," says Azmairnin Jadavji, who started Pardon Services Canada in Vancouver in 1989. "Now they're about 35 years old, they want to grow up, they have families."
According to statistics provided to The Canadian Press by the parole board, during the last five years through April 2010, there were 73,078 pardons granted, including 17,044 (23.3 per cent) to people with more than three convictions.
The proposed three-strike rule is the most problematic element of the reforms, with even Conservative MPs on a Commons committee studying the legislation suggesting amendments may be needed.
-- The Canadian Press
When combined with a planned quadrupling of the application fee and new rigour in background checks, so-called "criminal record suspensions" are likely to become far more difficult to obtain.
Even routine speeding tickets and unpaid parking fines are being used to reject pardon applications, according to three large commercial agencies that help former convicts apply.
The triple blow to the pardon regime has critics up in arms, saying the Conservative government is exploiting public revulsion over the pardon of serial sex offender Graham James.
"Frankly, it's the fault of the government, who is trying to conjure up bogeymen on every corner," said Liberal public safety critic Mark Holland.
Adds NDP public safety critic Don Davies: "It's ill-advised, it's arbitrary and it would prevent many deserving Canadians from getting a pardon."
The Canadian Press revealed last spring that James, a former junior hockey coach, had been quietly pardoned in 2007. The resulting public and political furor caused Parliament to rush in immediate reforms, with more still pending.
A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the changes are necessary. Last June's legislation "gave the Parole Board of Canada the authority needed to decide if granting a pardon is warranted, and ensure that the waiting period to apply for a pardon better reflects the severity of the crimes committed," Chris McCluskey said in an email.
As for proposed Conservative changes that would bar anyone with more than three convictions from ever being eligible for a pardon, McCluskey said "these reforms would make repeat offenders more accountable to their victims for their actions."
But actual pardon statistics, and people who work in the field, suggest the reform will put a pardon out of reach for thousands of minor offenders. "My typical client was in his 20s, got caught drunk driving or shoplifting or smoked marijuana, peed in an alley or got in a fight," says Azmairnin Jadavji, who started Pardon Services Canada in Vancouver in 1989. "Now they're about 35 years old, they want to grow up, they have families."
According to statistics provided to The Canadian Press by the parole board, during the last five years through April 2010, there were 73,078 pardons granted, including 17,044 (23.3 per cent) to people with more than three convictions.
The proposed three-strike rule is the most problematic element of the reforms, with even Conservative MPs on a Commons committee studying the legislation suggesting amendments may be needed.
-- The Canadian Press
Record Checks - On The Rise
Record checks in the province of British Columbia have doubled in 2009 from year prior figures.
As referenced in the Province Newspaper, Checks are mandatory for everyone from teachers and doctors to nurses, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists and physical and massage therapists.
With the extraordinary increase, it's wise to ensure your record has been removed.
Pardon Services Canada has been discreetly removing records for Canadians for over 20 years. We are the seasoned professionals, the only ones with whom you should trust with your future.
Link to article in The Province
As referenced in the Province Newspaper, Checks are mandatory for everyone from teachers and doctors to nurses, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists and physical and massage therapists.
With the extraordinary increase, it's wise to ensure your record has been removed.
Pardon Services Canada has been discreetly removing records for Canadians for over 20 years. We are the seasoned professionals, the only ones with whom you should trust with your future.
Link to article in The Province
Certified!
Very soon, Pardon Services Canada will be the only pardon service provider certified by the RCMP to do its own fingerprinting. This will save you time and hassle (not to mention unwanted inconvenience) of going to the airport or police station to get your prints done for a criminal record check. For under $40, we can handle it for you. And the nice part is, they no longer use ink, so your fingers will be unmarked for the rest of the day as well.
For more information about this new service, call us at 1 8 NOW PARDON.
For more information about this new service, call us at 1 8 NOW PARDON.
The Referral Rewards Program
You can make money simply for doing what’s natural – pointing your customers in the right direction.
For every referral that you send to Pardon Services Canada you will be compensated 10%. That’s $50-$100 just for doing what you’ve been doing, for free, all along.
All we ask is that you sign up for the Rewards Referral Program (so we can keep track of how much we owe you) at www.pscaffiliates.ca
For every referral that you send to Pardon Services Canada you will be compensated 10%. That’s $50-$100 just for doing what you’ve been doing, for free, all along.
All we ask is that you sign up for the Rewards Referral Program (so we can keep track of how much we owe you) at www.pscaffiliates.ca
On the Heels of the Toronto Trade Show
Except for a footwear malfunction, the trade show went splendidly.
Pardons and waivers can be a sensitive topic, especially when dealing with travel, or instances where a client may have to cross the border. That is why we are more than happy to provide travel agents with discreet and informative material that can help them with clients who have records, and even offer them a chance to make a commission as well. However, little did we know that our booth would be sensitive as well, and we suffered a few holes in the floor from the high heel shoes! Egads! Next time, sorry, no high heels.
Pardons and waivers can be a sensitive topic, especially when dealing with travel, or instances where a client may have to cross the border. That is why we are more than happy to provide travel agents with discreet and informative material that can help them with clients who have records, and even offer them a chance to make a commission as well. However, little did we know that our booth would be sensitive as well, and we suffered a few holes in the floor from the high heel shoes! Egads! Next time, sorry, no high heels.
The T.O. down-low.
We went to a trade show in Toronto at the end of March. It was a good opportunity for us to hear some of your stories. It always amazes us how many people do not understand their full rights regarding pardons and waivers.
The Canadian Government Has Pardons For A Reason
Canada is strongly opposed to discrimination. If you have served your sentence, done your community service and/or paid your fines, and three or more years have passed in which you’ve shown good behaviour, then chances are, you are eligible for a pardon.
Your record won’t go away on its own, but with the help of proven professionals, we can help you remove it as discreetly as possible.
Call us today at 1 8 NOW PARDON for more information.
The Canadian Government Has Pardons For A Reason
Canada is strongly opposed to discrimination. If you have served your sentence, done your community service and/or paid your fines, and three or more years have passed in which you’ve shown good behaviour, then chances are, you are eligible for a pardon.
Your record won’t go away on its own, but with the help of proven professionals, we can help you remove it as discreetly as possible.
Call us today at 1 8 NOW PARDON for more information.
Criminal Records Are So Last Year
With background checks more prominent than ever, employment becoming scarcer and money woes at every turn, it’s little wonder Canadians are applying for pardons in record numbers.
In 2007, nearly 25,000 people applied for pardons. That is nearly 50% more per annum than a few years ago.
Part of this can be attributed to greater awareness of the possibility of pardon in the first place. Part of this is surely stemming from PSC’s own ad campaigns that a criminal record will not go away. A record will follow you for life.
Pardons prevent customs and the police from accessing your files. They keep your information hidden from potential employers, or even your boss doing a spot check at work.
With more and more people in Canada knowing about the benefits of pardons, and the concept of forgiveness a part of our everyday vernacular, it is only a matter of time before the lingering stigma of a record is removed as well.
In 2007, nearly 25,000 people applied for pardons. That is nearly 50% more per annum than a few years ago.
Part of this can be attributed to greater awareness of the possibility of pardon in the first place. Part of this is surely stemming from PSC’s own ad campaigns that a criminal record will not go away. A record will follow you for life.
Pardons prevent customs and the police from accessing your files. They keep your information hidden from potential employers, or even your boss doing a spot check at work.
With more and more people in Canada knowing about the benefits of pardons, and the concept of forgiveness a part of our everyday vernacular, it is only a matter of time before the lingering stigma of a record is removed as well.
Change You Can Be Free In
The recent visit from US President Obama hinted that there could be changes in the works regarding the restrictions at the US and Canadian border.
Right now, $1.5 billion in goods cross the border every day. This requires a lot of people, and takes a lot of jobs. The ‘thickened’ security since 9/11 has made transport even more difficult between the two major trading partners.
Obama stated that he plans to take action to address such “bottlenecks.”
One concern is the rigid stance taken towards Canadians with past indiscretions. Currently, most Canadians with criminal records are not welcome into the United States without an Entry Waiver. And Canadian Pardons are not recognized whatsoever. However, Obama’s visit might shed new light on laws that keep 11% of the Canadian population (those with records) from entering their country without let or hindrance.
If you have a record, and you plan to travel to the United States, it is imperative that you get that record removed before crossing the border. If the USA is aware of your record, Pardon Services Canada can organize a waiver for you before you travel.
Hopefully, with the new presidency, travel will be easier in the future. But until these changes are put in place, it is best that you talk to us before attempting to cross the border.
Right now, $1.5 billion in goods cross the border every day. This requires a lot of people, and takes a lot of jobs. The ‘thickened’ security since 9/11 has made transport even more difficult between the two major trading partners.
Obama stated that he plans to take action to address such “bottlenecks.”
One concern is the rigid stance taken towards Canadians with past indiscretions. Currently, most Canadians with criminal records are not welcome into the United States without an Entry Waiver. And Canadian Pardons are not recognized whatsoever. However, Obama’s visit might shed new light on laws that keep 11% of the Canadian population (those with records) from entering their country without let or hindrance.
If you have a record, and you plan to travel to the United States, it is imperative that you get that record removed before crossing the border. If the USA is aware of your record, Pardon Services Canada can organize a waiver for you before you travel.
Hopefully, with the new presidency, travel will be easier in the future. But until these changes are put in place, it is best that you talk to us before attempting to cross the border.
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