The National Pardon Centre™

It takes a lot of time to get a Canadian pardon. And since this is the single most common question asked at the National Pardon Centre it is one that I frequently discuss on this blog.

Everyone wants a pardon done right away but no one gets started on a pardon before it’s really necessary. Why is this? I don’t have an answer I can back up with anyone other than personal opinion.

I think people wait to get a pardon because of human nature. We are good at procrastinating and we are skilled at ignoring the things in our life that we don’t want to deal with. An arrest, and a trip through the court system, is emotional and traumatic. So when it’s done the last thing most people want to think about is the criminal record they now have.  Of course some just forget or don’t care until it’s too late.

Human nature in this sense is understandable but it allows some of my competitors to take advantage of potential clients by promising things that can’t be promised. So here are a few things you should know. Hopefully it will help if you find yourself in a situation where a sales agent is just telling you what you want to hear.

1. Under no circumstances can time frames be guaranteed by a pardon service provider.
 
2. A pardon application involves several steps with each step having the potential for backlog.
 
3. Each step leaves the service provider at the mercy of the government agency handling the request. In other words, the time it takes to complete each step is out of our hands more often than not.
 
4. The Parole Board is backed up as a result of the Conservative’s misguided crime legislation and there is nothing that can be done about this. No service provider can offer you a grandfather clause.
 
5. Anyone guaranteeing you a pardon in a certain number of months is just telling you what you want to hear.

At the National Pardon Centre we provide estimates. We do our best to provide accurate estimates based on current processing times but it is not possible to accurately predict how long every file will take.

If you are concerned about how long a pardon will take the only really good rule of thumb is the age old wisdom most of heard from our parents long ago. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

At the time of writing the National Pardon Centre is quoting 10 – 12 months start to finish for an expedited pardon. I personally consider that time frame an honest estimate but, unfortunately it cannot be guaranteed. I prefer to be honest in this business because a pardon is too important to be giving people false hope.

If you have more questions on time frames or anything else involving pardons, waivers or fingerprinting give us a call at the National Pardon Centre. One thing I can promise is that you are going to speak to an honest counselor who is not just trying to make a sale. That much I guarantee.

Michael Ashby

mashby@nationalpardon.org
866.242.2411 x 227

Finding a job when you have a criminal record holding you back is an uphill battle. More and more employers are requiring background checks making the hunt even harder than before. When a good job offer finally comes your way you want to be sure that nothing stands between you and getting your career on track.

We’ve all made mistakes. Whether you were caught shoplifting, smoking marijuana or was caught up in a bar fight years ago, you now have a criminal record that prevents you from realizing your career potential. Yes, there is a solution to this common problem, a National Pardon.

Applying for a pardon before you become eligible is important. A pardon will seal your criminal record and your past will not be revealed to employers, even during a background check.

Pardon applications are submitted to and approved by the Parole Board of Canada and involve a lot of tedious, intricate paperwork. Meeting your pardon eligibility requirements and processing the necessary paperwork correctly is the key to securing a National Pardon.

Once your pardon is granted your criminal record is removed and kept separate from active criminal records. This means employers will not be able to review your past criminal history.

The National Pardon Centre specializes in securing pardons for our clients. We are experts at completing and filing applications with the Parole Board of Canada to ensure a successful outcome.

Don’t miss out on future employment opportunities. Apply for your pardon today!

Two of the most common questions we are asked at the National Pardon Centre are do I have a criminal record and/or do I need a pardon? If you have been to court you have a criminal record and you are most likely in need of a pardon.

Depending on the outcome you may require a purge and file destruction instead of a pardon. In any case, starting the application process today is the first step in removing your criminal record.

The Parole Board of Canada is the governing body that grants pardons and the application process involves paperwork that is intricate, tedious and time consuming. Your application must be done right or it will be rejected and returned and then you will have to start over at the beginning. Furthermore, if your pardon application is rejected you will have to pay a fee.

The National Pardon Centre takes care of the application process for you. We ensure your highest possible chance of securing a pardon and removing your criminal record.

Trying to find work in a downturn economy is hard enough but trying to get a job in today’s economy if you have a criminal record is a real struggle. More and more companies require background checks and security clearance before committing to hiring an employee.

There is great value in eliminating your criminal record. Even minor offenses like shoplifting, DUI and marijuana possession will make you ineligible for certain jobs and place restrictions on your ability to travel.

If you have a criminal record, apply for a pardon today and remove the restrictions on your life and livelihood.

I don’t want to get my hopes up that the crime bill will be amended in favour of the pardon program’s current criteria but at least the Tory controlled senate is showing some retraint when it comes to passing the legislation. I don’t think the Conservatives had much choice in the matter. After trying to submit amendments that were rejected it would be provide anyone with a charter challenge strong evidence that the government had not thought the bill through thoroughly enough. Of course I am just speculating. Who really knows what the government is thinking on this one? It’s anyone’s guess.

For a more detailed read on the subject click the following link to the CBC website. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/12/07/pol-crime-senate.html