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
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.
The Seventh Heaven Ab-Solution
The Vatican recently forgave John Lennon for his comments about Jesus Christ over 40 years ago.
He claimed that the Beatles were: "Bigger with Jesus." The church has since dismissed his claim as that of a young man coming to terms with new fame.
He claimed that the Beatles were: "Bigger with Jesus." The church has since dismissed his claim as that of a young man coming to terms with new fame.
Celebrity Pardons
Having a criminal record is more common than you think. There are scores of famous people that have had their records expunged.
A criminal record is a stigma, one shared even by even those in the brighest spotlights. But there is a reason that they are able to carry on without much consequence (such as touring internationally and holding down jobs): They have applied for and received waivers and pardons respectively. And if they can, so can you.
A criminal record is a stigma, one shared even by even those in the brighest spotlights. But there is a reason that they are able to carry on without much consequence (such as touring internationally and holding down jobs): They have applied for and received waivers and pardons respectively. And if they can, so can you.
Everyone Makes Mistakes
10% of all Canadians have a criminal record, and very few get them expunged. Why?
1. Some people do not know that it is even possible to expunge (remove) a criminal record.
2. Some people think that it is the same as in the States, where a record will be removed on its own after a certain amount of time. This does not happen here.
3. The process is overwhelming. 2/3 of all applications are rejected because they are incomplete or incorrect.
4. They put their trust in 'fly-by-night' pardon service companies without the right experience and knowledge.
Only Pardon Services Canada has been successful in obtaining pardons and waivers for nearly 20 years.
Don't put your freedom in just anyone's hands.
1. Some people do not know that it is even possible to expunge (remove) a criminal record.
2. Some people think that it is the same as in the States, where a record will be removed on its own after a certain amount of time. This does not happen here.
3. The process is overwhelming. 2/3 of all applications are rejected because they are incomplete or incorrect.
4. They put their trust in 'fly-by-night' pardon service companies without the right experience and knowledge.
Only Pardon Services Canada has been successful in obtaining pardons and waivers for nearly 20 years.
Don't put your freedom in just anyone's hands.
Our latest ad for the courts
We are always working with lawyers, judges, police, and customs officers to help to expunge criminal records. If someone has paid back their debt to society, then they should enjoy the same rights and privileges as everybody else, free of further discrimination. This is how justice should work.
Steven Page - In the Clear - Almost
Recently Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page was arrested on possession charges. He was able to beat the rap, and so, without a Canadian criminal record he is able to travel to the United States.
However, his arrest and file will still be accessible by those doing a criminal record check. Through a Criminal Record/File Purge, this information will be destroyed and his file will be completely clean.
Steven, if you are reading this, we can help. Click the above link to find out more.
However, his arrest and file will still be accessible by those doing a criminal record check. Through a Criminal Record/File Purge, this information will be destroyed and his file will be completely clean.
Steven, if you are reading this, we can help. Click the above link to find out more.
Elle Macpherson's Boyfriend Busted
How do you lose one of the hottest women on the planet?
By not taking care of your record.
Today the svelte supermodel found out that her new boyfriend, Brian Burgess, had spent four years in an Australian jail after attempting to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine into the country back in 1996.
"I should have done a background check," she said. Although her people found out anyway.
If Brian had his files purged and a pardon granted, she would have never known.
By not taking care of your record.
Today the svelte supermodel found out that her new boyfriend, Brian Burgess, had spent four years in an Australian jail after attempting to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine into the country back in 1996.
"I should have done a background check," she said. Although her people found out anyway.
If Brian had his files purged and a pardon granted, she would have never known.
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