Applying for pardon

The CPSP provides free and confidential criminal record suspension (pardon) services. A pardon allows people who have been convicted of a criminal offence, have served the full sentence, and show they abide by the law to have their criminal records set aside from the other records. An experienced intervener assists our clients during the full pardon application process. Before submitting a request, she thoroughly reviews every client’s records, checks if they are eligible to apply for a pardon, explains to the clients how the full application for pardon process works, and gives them a handbook about applying for the pardon.

The Parole Board of Canada is Canada’s only competent authority to grant a pardon. Once the pardon is granted, any information about the conviction is deleted from the Canadian Police Information Center’s computer system, and no information about the convictions can be communicated without the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness’s authorization.

An application for pardon entails fees to pay only to the competent authorities legally mandated. The CPSP does not collect any money from clients. It only provides information to clients about the fees they will have to pay at every step of the application process.