Record Suspensions (Pardons) in Canada: How They Work
Published September 15, 2025
A criminal record follows you long after a sentence has been served. It affects employment, housing, volunteer work, travel, and personal relationships. For many Canadians, a record suspension — formerly known as a pardon — offers a path to moving past a criminal conviction and rebuilding their lives.
Record suspensions are governed by the Criminal Records Act and administered by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). This guide explains how record suspensions work, who is eligible, and what the application process involves.
What a Record Suspension Does
A record suspension does not erase a criminal conviction. Rather, it sets the record apart from other criminal records, so that it no longer appears on standard criminal record checks. This means that a person who has received a record suspension can honestly say they do not have a criminal record when asked by most employers, landlords, or volunteer organizations.
When a record suspension is granted, the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database is updated to flag the record as suspended. Police agencies, the RCMP, and other law enforcement bodies can still access the record under specific circumstances — for example, in the course of a criminal investigation — but it is not disclosed in routine background checks.
A record suspension also removes the practical barriers a criminal record creates. Many people find that employment opportunities, professional licensing, and personal confidence improve significantly once a record suspension is in place.
It is important to understand that a record suspension applies only to Canadian records. It does not affect records held by foreign governments. The United States, for example, maintains its own records of Canadian criminal convictions, and a Canadian record suspension does not guarantee entry to the U.S. Separate steps, such as a U.S. Entry Waiver, may be necessary.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for a record suspension depends on the nature of the offence and the time that has passed since the sentence was completed. The waiting periods are:
- Summary conviction offences: 5 years after the completion of all sentences (including fines, probation, and any conditions)
- Indictable offences: 10 years after the completion of all sentences
The waiting period begins on the date the last element of the sentence was completed — not the date of conviction or the date of release from custody. If a sentence included a three-year probation order, the waiting period does not begin until that probation has expired. Any outstanding restitution orders or fines must be paid in full before the waiting period begins.
Certain offences are ineligible for record suspensions. Under current legislation, a person convicted of a sexual offence against a minor, prosecuted by indictment, is permanently ineligible for a record suspension. Additionally, a person with more than three convictions for offences prosecuted by indictment, each carrying a sentence of two or more years of imprisonment, is permanently ineligible.
For all other offences, eligibility depends on demonstrating that the applicant has been of good conduct since the completion of the sentence and that the suspension would sustain their rehabilitation and be consistent with their interest in reintegration into society.
The Application Process
Applying for a record suspension is a multi-step process that requires careful preparation. The main steps include:
1. Obtain your criminal record. Request a certified criminal record from the RCMP. This document identifies every conviction on your record and confirms the details the Parole Board will review.
2. Gather court documents. For each conviction on your record, you must obtain court information from the relevant courthouse confirming the offence, the date of conviction, the sentence imposed, and the date the sentence was completed. In some cases, particularly for older convictions, locating these records requires effort.
3. Obtain local police records checks. You must provide police records checks from every jurisdiction where you have lived for at least three consecutive months during the applicable waiting period. These checks verify that you have maintained good conduct.
4. Complete the application form. The PBC application form requires detailed personal information, information about each conviction, and a statement explaining why the record suspension should be granted. The statement should be honest, specific, and focused on your rehabilitation and contributions to the community since the conviction.
5. Pay the application fee. The current application fee for a record suspension is $50, reduced from $657.77 in 2022. This reduction was intended to make record suspensions more accessible to a broader range of applicants.
6. Submit and wait. Processing times vary but typically range from six to twelve months or longer. The PBC reviews the application, may request additional information, and may schedule a hearing in complex cases.
Factors the Parole Board Considers
The Parole Board of Canada evaluates each application on its merits. Under section 4.1 of the Criminal Records Act, the Board considers whether granting the record suspension would provide a measurable benefit to the applicant, would sustain their rehabilitation into society as a law-abiding citizen, and would not bring the administration of justice into disrepute.
Factors that support a successful application include:
- Stable employment or meaningful engagement in education, training, or volunteer work
- Community involvement and positive personal references
- No criminal activity or charges since the completion of the sentence
- Evidence of personal growth, responsibility, and insight into past behaviour
- Completion of treatment, counselling, or rehabilitation programs where relevant
The Board may deny an application where there is evidence of ongoing criminal behaviour, where the applicant has not been forthcoming in the application, or where granting the suspension would not serve the public interest.
Revocation of a Record Suspension
A record suspension, once granted, is not permanent in all circumstances. The Parole Board may revoke a record suspension if the person is subsequently convicted of a new criminal offence, if it comes to light that the person was ineligible at the time the suspension was granted, or if the person's conduct indicates that they are no longer of good conduct.
A new indictable offence conviction results in automatic revocation. For summary conviction offences, the Board exercises discretion in deciding whether revocation is appropriate. If a record suspension is revoked, the original criminal record is restored and becomes visible again on standard criminal record checks.
The Value of a Record Suspension
For the hundreds of thousands of Canadians living with criminal records, a record suspension represents a genuine opportunity to move forward. The practical benefits — improved employment prospects, the ability to volunteer, freedom to travel more easily, and relief from the stigma of a criminal record — are substantial.
The application process is detailed but manageable with proper preparation. Many people find it helpful to work with a lawyer or a professional record suspension service to ensure the application is complete, accurate, and presented in the strongest possible terms.
If you have a criminal conviction and are considering a record suspension, speaking with a criminal lawyer is a good starting point. A lawyer can assess your eligibility, help you understand the timeline, and advise on how best to present your application.
For those currently facing charges, the potential availability of a record suspension years down the line underscores the importance of achieving the best possible outcome at the sentencing stage. Outcomes like discharges and withdrawn charges avoid a conviction record entirely, removing the need for a record suspension in the future.
For official information on record suspensions and application forms, visit the Parole Board of Canada.