Volunteering your time, services, talents, and energies is actually a multi-faceted endeavor with a great deal of benefits. In addition to helping others, it will help you as well. Have you just recently graduated? Are you seeking a change in your career path? Are you reentering the work force after a period of time? Do you seek new challenges? Finding employment nowadays can be a challenge, but you mustn’t become discouraged. Perusing the classified ads in the local newspapers, searching the jobs postings online, or contacting recruiters, all takes time, but will eventually yield potential prospects.
Also, since networking is an excellent way to discover that “hidden” job market, the source of unsolicited jobs, you might consider volunteering, which could be thought of as a non-networking way of networking. It is particularly appealing if you are somewhat introverted or simply aren’t comfortable trying the conventional ways to network.
Through volunteering, you expose yourself to other people with similar interests. Along the way, you are bound to learn new skills as you take on the duties and responsibilities for the activity you have committed yourself to. Your leadership potential, willingness to take initiative, desire to assist, ability to function as part of a team – all these assets will certainly be discovered. You could very likely be working next to well-connected people, even a senior executive of a company that you are considering targeting.
When deciding where to volunteer, one prospect to consider is trade shows, a highly targeted way of exposing yourself to people in your field. Another is civic activities. Many chambers of commerce plan and staff local events and are always looking for people to help. And be sure to search the internet – countless opportunities are available.
If you feel you are being held back from using this method of finding employment because you have a criminal record, you should definitely contact Pardon Services Canada to obtain a Pardon. A Client Specialist will ensure that your application will be processed expeditiously and you will be kept informed at each stage of the process.
Your Resume vs. the Job Application Form
When you prepare your resume, you try to design it to represent yourself in a way that will entice an employer to want to meet you. And some items might cause you to worry about how they will portray your work and education history. For example, should you say that you graduated from university, when in fact you are short two or three courses? Or, should you say that you resigned from a job last year, when you were actually laid off? And, should you fudge the dates of entries to obscure a period of time when you were not in school and not employed?
Such temptations are understandable, but are they worth using? The information that you provide on your resume, and how you express it, is entirely up to you. After all, the resume’s sole purpose is to get you the interview, during which you can elaborate on your skills and abilities.
If you are fortunate enough to get your foot in the door, the interview will undoubtedly expect you to expand on the details you’ve given in your resume as well as discuss many other related and unrelated aspects of your life history. Inevitably, any shortcomings that your resume has could easily be revealed. As well, you will quite likely be asked to complete a job application form.
Three major aspects of the application form are worth noting: Your resume is not a legal document, but the application form is; its design requires that you provide particular information, completing sections appropriately; and you are required to sign and date it to attest to the fact that everything you’ve supplied is the truth.
What you state on your application form must complement your resume; otherwise, your integrity will come into question. And the now-commonplace background check that employers undertake will verify your education, your work history, and your criminal background, should you have one. Recruiters might also run a credit check if you are applying for work in the financial field or a motor vehicle record check if you are required to drive for your job. In fact, many companies will run these checks regardless of the position for which you have applied.
Therefore, you need to be completely honest and truthful when completing the application form, being as specific as possible, because the details will be verified. And should anything that misrepresents you be discovered after you’ve being hired, the consequences could be dire.
If you want to leave a job off either your resume or the application form, do so; but do not adjust the dates of other entries to cover the time period. If the dates are not consistent with the resume’s data, both documents will come into question and cause the recruiter to question your sincerity and honesty.
The application form will likely ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime. This includes DUIs, which is the most common charge that will show up on background checks. If you have a criminal record, you could still quite possibly get hired; but if you do not disclose it, you will not likely get hired if this omission is revealed, simply because you lied. Your criminal record could be overlooked, depending upon what you did, how long ago it happened, and your explanation of the incident.
So be honest and forthright with all your details. Better still, if you have a charge that can be expunged, you should apply for a Pardon. This process will seal your record, removing it from federal databases so that it is no longer visible and cannot be accessed. Pardon Services Canada can assist you. A Client Specialist will ensure that all the required forms are created and compiled to support your application. Pardon Services Canada’s pro-active approach ensures that your case is processed expeditiously and you will be kept informed at each stage of the process. Your pardon is guaranteed.
Such temptations are understandable, but are they worth using? The information that you provide on your resume, and how you express it, is entirely up to you. After all, the resume’s sole purpose is to get you the interview, during which you can elaborate on your skills and abilities.
If you are fortunate enough to get your foot in the door, the interview will undoubtedly expect you to expand on the details you’ve given in your resume as well as discuss many other related and unrelated aspects of your life history. Inevitably, any shortcomings that your resume has could easily be revealed. As well, you will quite likely be asked to complete a job application form.
Three major aspects of the application form are worth noting: Your resume is not a legal document, but the application form is; its design requires that you provide particular information, completing sections appropriately; and you are required to sign and date it to attest to the fact that everything you’ve supplied is the truth.
What you state on your application form must complement your resume; otherwise, your integrity will come into question. And the now-commonplace background check that employers undertake will verify your education, your work history, and your criminal background, should you have one. Recruiters might also run a credit check if you are applying for work in the financial field or a motor vehicle record check if you are required to drive for your job. In fact, many companies will run these checks regardless of the position for which you have applied.
Therefore, you need to be completely honest and truthful when completing the application form, being as specific as possible, because the details will be verified. And should anything that misrepresents you be discovered after you’ve being hired, the consequences could be dire.
If you want to leave a job off either your resume or the application form, do so; but do not adjust the dates of other entries to cover the time period. If the dates are not consistent with the resume’s data, both documents will come into question and cause the recruiter to question your sincerity and honesty.
The application form will likely ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime. This includes DUIs, which is the most common charge that will show up on background checks. If you have a criminal record, you could still quite possibly get hired; but if you do not disclose it, you will not likely get hired if this omission is revealed, simply because you lied. Your criminal record could be overlooked, depending upon what you did, how long ago it happened, and your explanation of the incident.
So be honest and forthright with all your details. Better still, if you have a charge that can be expunged, you should apply for a Pardon. This process will seal your record, removing it from federal databases so that it is no longer visible and cannot be accessed. Pardon Services Canada can assist you. A Client Specialist will ensure that all the required forms are created and compiled to support your application. Pardon Services Canada’s pro-active approach ensures that your case is processed expeditiously and you will be kept informed at each stage of the process. Your pardon is guaranteed.
Social Media Background Screening - What Impact Will It Have on the Job Seeker?
Prior to making a hiring decision, companies now commonly undertake criminal background checks and credit checks to verify the information gleaned from resumes and during interviews. Understandably, they want to ensure a safe working environment for their staff, service providers, and clients.
This verification process is often outsourced to companies that provide these services. Interestingly, another similar service is being offered – social media background screening, which investigates social and professional networking sites, blogs, and wikis, along with video and picture sharing websites. Social Intelligence is one such company that checks sites like Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Craigslist for employers.
Social Intelligence doesn’t store social data. Rather it looks at up to seven years of a person’s history, but stores nothing. As well, it doesn’t pass on identifiable photos. In fact, it screens for only a few things: aggressive or violent acts or assertions, unlawful activity, discriminatory activity (for example, making racist statements), and sexually explicit activity. Also, it uses only the data an employer provides to run a search. This tends to be standard issue information from an applicant’s resume: a person’s name, university, email address, and physical location. Thus, ultimately, the applicant is the one supplying all the data for a background check.
These kinds of services actually make a lot of sense. Employers would have to be unwise not to Google job candidates; yet, it seems better for both the employer and the candidate to have a disinterested third party perform such background checks. If the prospect of having social media screening seems discomforting, job candidates should realize that most employers are already conducting such reviews. In surveys, most employers admit that they check out applicants’ Facebook pages, blogs, and Google footprints. One might well wonder whether this could be a violation of the law if the employer sees something that shouldn’t be seen (like religion or sexuality) or decides not to hire someone based on something that’s been found.
When employers work with companies that perform social media background screening, applicants are presented with reports on the information found. Then applicants can challenge the legitimacy of the information (just as they can with a credit check) or know what might be hurting their employment prospects. The process seems to be providing a service not just for employers, but also for job applicants.
Pardon Services Canada can assist with Criminal Background Checks, as well as Removing a Criminal Record through obtaining a Canadian Pardon and acquiring a US Entry Waiver. A Client Specialist will provide a complimentary private consultation to answer any questions, keeping all information strictly confidential.
This verification process is often outsourced to companies that provide these services. Interestingly, another similar service is being offered – social media background screening, which investigates social and professional networking sites, blogs, and wikis, along with video and picture sharing websites. Social Intelligence is one such company that checks sites like Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Craigslist for employers.
Social Intelligence doesn’t store social data. Rather it looks at up to seven years of a person’s history, but stores nothing. As well, it doesn’t pass on identifiable photos. In fact, it screens for only a few things: aggressive or violent acts or assertions, unlawful activity, discriminatory activity (for example, making racist statements), and sexually explicit activity. Also, it uses only the data an employer provides to run a search. This tends to be standard issue information from an applicant’s resume: a person’s name, university, email address, and physical location. Thus, ultimately, the applicant is the one supplying all the data for a background check.
These kinds of services actually make a lot of sense. Employers would have to be unwise not to Google job candidates; yet, it seems better for both the employer and the candidate to have a disinterested third party perform such background checks. If the prospect of having social media screening seems discomforting, job candidates should realize that most employers are already conducting such reviews. In surveys, most employers admit that they check out applicants’ Facebook pages, blogs, and Google footprints. One might well wonder whether this could be a violation of the law if the employer sees something that shouldn’t be seen (like religion or sexuality) or decides not to hire someone based on something that’s been found.
When employers work with companies that perform social media background screening, applicants are presented with reports on the information found. Then applicants can challenge the legitimacy of the information (just as they can with a credit check) or know what might be hurting their employment prospects. The process seems to be providing a service not just for employers, but also for job applicants.
Pardon Services Canada can assist with Criminal Background Checks, as well as Removing a Criminal Record through obtaining a Canadian Pardon and acquiring a US Entry Waiver. A Client Specialist will provide a complimentary private consultation to answer any questions, keeping all information strictly confidential.
How Will Your Facebook Page Measure Up?
Job seekers are now, for the most part, aware that corporate human resource departments undertake traditional background checks and credit checks as part of the assessment of an applicant’s eligibility. Understandably, when considering candidates for hiring or promotion, companies have an obligation to assess employment risks. But a new dimension is surfacing: Social network screening and monitoring is now becoming part of the process.
It is undeniable that companies will search the web to investigate prospective employees, using Google on an ad hoc basis for quick online searches. And another aspect is monitoring of online habits of potential and existing employees. A company is exposed to risk if it’s not conducting due diligence on an employee who is publicly behaving on the Internet in a way that indicates risk for the organization.
Social media networks, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, LinkedIn, and individual blogs are the target of such scrutiny. One might well feel that such investigation constitutes an invasion of privacy, whereas others say that accessing anything “published” is fair game. Regardless, people currently seeking employment are well advised to ensure that their online sources reflect as positively as possible on their judgment, remembering that a Facebook page can serve to boost a job seeker’s odds of landing a job. A professional presentation and the right affiliations can’t hurt!
Job seekers who have a criminal record can also benefit from obtaining a pardon, which will seal the record so that it is no longer visible. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada for a complimentary private consultation. All information related to the pardon process is handled discreetly and kept strictly confidential.
It is undeniable that companies will search the web to investigate prospective employees, using Google on an ad hoc basis for quick online searches. And another aspect is monitoring of online habits of potential and existing employees. A company is exposed to risk if it’s not conducting due diligence on an employee who is publicly behaving on the Internet in a way that indicates risk for the organization.
Social media networks, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, LinkedIn, and individual blogs are the target of such scrutiny. One might well feel that such investigation constitutes an invasion of privacy, whereas others say that accessing anything “published” is fair game. Regardless, people currently seeking employment are well advised to ensure that their online sources reflect as positively as possible on their judgment, remembering that a Facebook page can serve to boost a job seeker’s odds of landing a job. A professional presentation and the right affiliations can’t hurt!
Job seekers who have a criminal record can also benefit from obtaining a pardon, which will seal the record so that it is no longer visible. Contact a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada for a complimentary private consultation. All information related to the pardon process is handled discreetly and kept strictly confidential.
Now Is the Time to Prepare for the Future
The anticipated tough-on-crime legislation that the Conservative government has promised is expected to comprise approximately ten bills addressing justice and public-safety issues. Although specifically which bills would be included is unknown, one that is most disconcerting is Bill C-23B.
Bill C-23B, intended to eliminate pardons for serious crimes, would replace the term “pardon” with “record suspension” and make the process of removing one’s record more difficult, more time-consuming, and more costly, and would allow a record suspension in more limited circumstances. Therefore, anyone with a criminal record should begin the process of applying for a pardon as soon as possible.
Since pardons in Canada are going to be more difficult to obtain due to the proposed eligibility requirements and increased submission fees, consulting a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada is the best method to achieving this goal. The complete application process will be handled professionally, efficiently, and discreetly. As well, Pardon Services Canada guarantees results. Anyone uncertain as to whether or not he qualifies for a pardon can request a complimentary private consultation.
Another consideration to keep in mind is the fact that United States border agents are turning people with a criminal record away much more frequently. Obtaining a US Entry Waiver is the only secure way to be allowed to enter the United States. A waiver is also required for individuals who have been deported, agreed to voluntary departure, overstayed a previous period of admission, or have been barred entry at any time. Since the requirements are different at each district Department of Homeland Security office, having Pardon Services Canada assist is the most prudent way to obtain a waiver.
Also, people charged with a criminal offence for which there is no conviction are affected. A criminal record results even if the charge is dismissed, withdrawn, or stayed. However, the police file for such cases can be deleted.
Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. Speak to a Client Specialist toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366).
Bill C-23B, intended to eliminate pardons for serious crimes, would replace the term “pardon” with “record suspension” and make the process of removing one’s record more difficult, more time-consuming, and more costly, and would allow a record suspension in more limited circumstances. Therefore, anyone with a criminal record should begin the process of applying for a pardon as soon as possible.
Since pardons in Canada are going to be more difficult to obtain due to the proposed eligibility requirements and increased submission fees, consulting a Client Specialist at Pardon Services Canada is the best method to achieving this goal. The complete application process will be handled professionally, efficiently, and discreetly. As well, Pardon Services Canada guarantees results. Anyone uncertain as to whether or not he qualifies for a pardon can request a complimentary private consultation.
Another consideration to keep in mind is the fact that United States border agents are turning people with a criminal record away much more frequently. Obtaining a US Entry Waiver is the only secure way to be allowed to enter the United States. A waiver is also required for individuals who have been deported, agreed to voluntary departure, overstayed a previous period of admission, or have been barred entry at any time. Since the requirements are different at each district Department of Homeland Security office, having Pardon Services Canada assist is the most prudent way to obtain a waiver.
Also, people charged with a criminal offence for which there is no conviction are affected. A criminal record results even if the charge is dismissed, withdrawn, or stayed. However, the police file for such cases can be deleted.
Pardon Services Canada offers a complimentary private consultation for anyone wanting to apply for a pardon, to have his police file deleted, or to obtain a US Entry Waiver. Speak to a Client Specialist toll free at 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1.866.972.7366).
Proactive Approach to Job Hunting via Background Checks
Companies are now routinely carrying out background verification of their new as well as existing employees, with human resource officials cross-checking every detail of job applicants before hiring them. The employee verification process includes determining the genuineness of work experience, educational documents, and existence of any criminal record.
Global recession, along with recent HR scams such as the fake pilot scam, has led to more comprehensive scrutinizing of employees. Now a niche industry has evolved: Companies are increasingly outsourcing the employee verification process to specialized third-party agencies to verify every detail of the applicant. This industry is growing at the rate of 30-40% annually. The focus has been more on newcomers rather than existing employees. However, more companies are undertaking reviews of current employees as well.
Many Canadians have realized the value associated with obtaining a Canadian criminal pardon, recognizing that it improves their employability and career advancement prospects – plus its relieving benefit of eliminating the shame, embarrassment, inconvenience, and fear that its disclosure could cause. Among the advantages in obtaining a pardon: The Canadian Human Rights Act protects individuals who have received pardons from discrimination, particularly from employers and landlords, and the Criminal Records Act eliminates the need for employees to reveal pardoned convictions on government employment forms.
Anyone who has a criminal record can apply for a pardon once his sentence is completed and a certain period of time has passed. Since a person’s criminal record background is readily available to the general public and can be easily accessed, and since companies are increasingly including background checks in the hiring as well as the promoting process, it stands to reason that a person seeking employment or advancement would benefit from securing a pardon with the assistance of Pardon Services Canada, the first and most trusted pardon company in Canada.
A prospective employee with a criminal record has less chance of being hired compared to an equally qualified person without a record. Even if an applicant’s charges are minor, they may cause employers to question the person’s character, honesty, and integrity. Many employers consider the existence of a record to be grounds for immediate rejection.
Most Canadian criminal records can be removed with a pardon, ensuring that all of a person’s criminal records and charges are separated from other personal records and rendered inaccessible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is processed expeditiously.
Global recession, along with recent HR scams such as the fake pilot scam, has led to more comprehensive scrutinizing of employees. Now a niche industry has evolved: Companies are increasingly outsourcing the employee verification process to specialized third-party agencies to verify every detail of the applicant. This industry is growing at the rate of 30-40% annually. The focus has been more on newcomers rather than existing employees. However, more companies are undertaking reviews of current employees as well.
Many Canadians have realized the value associated with obtaining a Canadian criminal pardon, recognizing that it improves their employability and career advancement prospects – plus its relieving benefit of eliminating the shame, embarrassment, inconvenience, and fear that its disclosure could cause. Among the advantages in obtaining a pardon: The Canadian Human Rights Act protects individuals who have received pardons from discrimination, particularly from employers and landlords, and the Criminal Records Act eliminates the need for employees to reveal pardoned convictions on government employment forms.
Anyone who has a criminal record can apply for a pardon once his sentence is completed and a certain period of time has passed. Since a person’s criminal record background is readily available to the general public and can be easily accessed, and since companies are increasingly including background checks in the hiring as well as the promoting process, it stands to reason that a person seeking employment or advancement would benefit from securing a pardon with the assistance of Pardon Services Canada, the first and most trusted pardon company in Canada.
A prospective employee with a criminal record has less chance of being hired compared to an equally qualified person without a record. Even if an applicant’s charges are minor, they may cause employers to question the person’s character, honesty, and integrity. Many employers consider the existence of a record to be grounds for immediate rejection.
Most Canadian criminal records can be removed with a pardon, ensuring that all of a person’s criminal records and charges are separated from other personal records and rendered inaccessible. Pardon Services Canada’s role and familiarity with the pardon process will ensure that all documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that each applicant’s case is processed expeditiously.
Are You Bondable? The Implications for Canadians with a Criminal Record
Many job application forms come with a little tick box asking, “Are You Bondable”. Let’s start with the basics – what does it mean to be bondable before you check that box.
Bondable (as it relates to employment): Ones ability to be insured by the hiring company, so that in the event of theft or loss by the employee the company is insured for the value of the loss. The process requires several checks, namely background (criminal record) and credit checks
A company who is looking to hire in various departments will usually ask if the candidate is bondable. Jobs include:
- Positions where there is sensitive or valuable company information/data
- Employment that involves the direct handling of cash
- Jobs that involve the use of client financial information (credit card/banking information)
- Client Representative, Service Jobs requiring interaction with customers
- Work in the Vulnerable Sector
- Financial Services and Banking Institutions
This list shows the extreme diversity of employers that have an interest in asking the question ‘Are You Bondable?”
Another, more discreet reason for asking the question is a result of limits placed on the employer regarding asking questions in regards to criminal records. If you have any sort of criminal record, you must answer “No” to the question of “are you bondable”. This is because when the company who hires you tries to get you bonded the insuring company will complete a background check. If a criminal record comes back with any prior conviction you will be declined the bond and will probably face repercussions from the employer.
Companies are increasingly using the “bondability check” to screen applicants for criminal records. This follows on the increasing use of criminal record checks by employers in all industries throughout Canada.
The solution for Canadians who are faced with the difficulty of getting around the ‘are you bondable’ question is to apply for a Canadian Pardon. A Pardon from the Parole Board of Canada will effectively seal your criminal record. As a result, when those background checks are completed by the insurance company they will see a clear record. This result opens a huge area of possibility for the 13% of Canadians living with a criminal record. Take a step towards improving your future; apply for a Canadian Pardon today.
Looking For a Job In Canada with a Canadian Criminal Record? What to Know, and How to Get That Dream Job!
Everyone knows, interviewing for a job is stressful. What can be even more stressful is going into an interview with a Canadian Criminal Record. This article addresses what your potential employer can legally ask about your criminal record, what you need to say and ultimately, how to get the job!
The most important thing is location; different provinces have different restrictions and limitations on employers for what they can ask of prospective clients.
· Employers in Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories cannot ask about conviction records nor can employers falling under federal jurisdiction. However, if information about a criminal record is legitimately needed for employment purposes the question can be phrased “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence for which a Pardon has not been granted?”
· In Quebec, PEI and the Yukon, a criminal record is considered grounds for discrimination, making this question illegal. Again, unless the knowledge of the criminal conviction is relevant to the position (see below).
· Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia do not offer protection against discrimination based on criminal records, pardoned or otherwise. Once a Pardon is granted any previous criminal record WILL NOT be accessible to any employer.
It is illegal in all jurisdictions nationwide to ask applicants if they have ever been arrested.
Which employers can request a criminal record check?
Canadian Hiring Practices: all employers may ask for a criminal record check if they have established that it is a Bona Fide Occupational Requirement (BFOR). This is defined as a justifiable reason for discrimination based on a business necessity (being required for the safe and efficient operation of the organization) alternatively, as intrinsically required by the tasks an employee is expected to perform.
What Situations Would Lead to a BFOR
· Requirement to be bonded
· Required to work on a secured job-site
· Employee theft prevention
· Required to work with/for vulnerable persons
· Required to travel internationally/cross borders.
What Options Are Available
If you are in the job market or looking for career opportunities and have a criminal record then a Canadian Pardon is the best option available. The Pardon can be attained quickly, confidentially and with financing available. A criminal background check can be done extremely fast and will show you what your potential will see. Then, apply for a Canadian Pardon with an accredited, reputable Pardon Service Company, and get that dream job.
The Benefit of Time – The Crime Bill and Harper’s Priorities
While Stephen Harper is preparing to recall Parliament, the anticipated whirlwind session will see a fulfillment of the Conservative’s legislative priorities. The return to the Commons is going to be framed using four broad priorities: the budget’s “low-tax plan for jobs and economic growth” to aid the recovery and their “low-tax plan for families,” including the budget’s tax cuts; legislation to crack down on elder abuse; slaying the deficit; and the omnibus crime bill.
Tabling the omnibus crime bill containing a rewrite of justice laws will fulfill their tough-on-crime agenda. This crime bill will be a bundle of 11 pieces of law-and-order legislation wrapped into one bill that the Conservatives promised to pass within 100 days of taking power.
The 11 justice bills that will comprise the omnibus crime bill would:
- Crack down on organized drug crime
- End house arrest for serious and violent criminals
- End house arrest for serious personal injury offences such as sexual assault
- Eliminate pardons for serious criminals
- Establish tougher sentences and mandatory jail time for sexual offences against children
- Strengthen the handling of violent and repeat young offenders (Sébastien’s Law)
- Give law enforcement and national security agencies up-to-date tools to fight crime in today’s high-tech telecommunications environment
- Give the government more discretion when considering requests to transfer Canadian prisoners to Canada from other countries
- Provide police and the courts more tools to investigate and prevent terrorism
- Allow victims of terrorism to sue perpetrators and supporters of terrorism in Canadian courts
- Streamline long and complex trials
This pledge has recently been clarified as being 100 sitting days in the Commons. Thus, the crime bill could take until the fall to be made into law. Time then seems to be on their side, so to speak, giving the Conservatives a chance to review all its components and consider the consequences.
The Tories’ “Here for Canada” plan focuses on five key priorities:
- Creating jobs through training, trade and low taxes.
- Supporting families through our Family Tax Cut and more support for seniors and caregivers.
- Eliminating the deficit by 2014-2015 by controlling spending and cutting waste.
- Making our streets safe through new laws to protect children and the elderly.
- Standing on guard for Canada by investing in the development of Canada’s North, cracking down on human smuggling and strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces.
Will Mr. Harper be able to achieve his justice bill pledge, see the crime bill reach fruition in 100 sitting days? Or will the Conservatives, given the benefit of time to consider its ramifications, take a more gradual approach that allows Canadians to understand its impact more fully and to provide input.
Canadian Criminal Records – The Stumbling Block for would-be Volunteers
Canadians love to volunteer. Each and every day, Canadians devote their time to worthy causes. In fact, over a third of Canadians over the age of 15 have volunteered! The benefits of volunteering are tremendous, both on a community level, as well as personally. Volunteering gives Canadians the opportunity to give back to their great communities, or to contribute to a worthy cause. Furthermore, the personal benefits gained from great team environments, involvement in event planning, coordinating, and multiple other business operations are invaluable to Canadians looking to gain experience to supplement their resumes and CVs.
The opportunity for volunteering is drying up in Canada, however, as a result of recent criminal legislation. This legislation stipulates that an increasing number of volunteer organizations, including many large and well known non-profits, require criminal back ground checks on prospective volunteers. This legislation is not limited to any province in specific; it has a nation-wide effect.
The results have had an impact on the organizations as well as the prospective volunteers. Firstly, the organizations that are now required to get the criminal background checks face increasing waits with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for their results as more and more requests pile up. Secondly, these organizations, due to the long processing time, lose out on valuable volunteers which many rely on for their day-to-day operations and special events. Finally, the would-be volunteers lose out on the opportunity to give back to their community or cause, as well as the valuable experience that volunteering provides.
13% of Canadians have a criminal record. This is a large number of Canadians that are being excluded from the ability to volunteer. It is important that checks be done in some circumstances for safety and diligence; however, the broad and often misrepresentative criminal record checks provided by the RCMP’s database which logs all encounters, not just offenses, can be seriously harmful to great volunteer candidates.
A criminal record check can be done quickly and affordably. It is in the best interest of these good Canadian samaritans to get a fast, cheap, background check to expedite volunteering and to get back to doing good for the community, environment, Canada, and themselves.
Dusting for Prints – Increased Fingerprinting and Criminal Record Checks Delays Hiring
The prospect of having one’s fingerprints taken as part of the job application process can seem intimidating, to say the least. Not only could a person be taken aback to learn that all information provided on a resume and during an interview would not be sufficient to make a hiring decision, but he could also be somewhat unsettled to learn that a criminal record check, and sometimes a credit check as well, must be undertaken.
The RCMP’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), a national database, contains a range of useful information maintained primarily for law enforcement. Increasingly, though, it is also an important source of information for employers screening new hires and prospective promotions because it is the only national database of criminal records.
Alternatively, through a “local indices check,” a check of police files and occurrence reports within a region, a broad range of information can be provided. However, the RCMP has issued an interim policy directing what local police forces can say in response to basic searches based on a name and date of birth search alone. If an individual is found to have a record based on such a search, the response is to be:
Based solely on the name(s) and date of birth provided, a search of the National Criminal Records repository maintained by the RCMP could not be completed. In order to complete the request, the applicant is required to have fingerprints submitted to the National Criminal Records repository by an authorized police service or accredited private fingerprinting company. Positive identification that a criminal record may or may not exist at the National Criminal Records repository can only be confirmed by fingerprint comparison. Not all offences are reported to the National Criminal Records repository. A local indices check may or may not reveal criminal record convictions that have not been reported to the National Criminal Records repository.
This qualified statement is deemed necessary to ensure accurate identification. But there is no expeditious process to verify a criminal record. The RCMP’s current verification process can take more than 120 days to complete. The process requires the individual to go to a police station or other certified fingerprinting service. Furthermore, the results of this drawn out process are delivered to the employer – not the prospective employee – not allowing for a chance to explain or justify any erroneous circumstances.
This time factor has significant impact on employers to be sure. The potential delays in making hiring decisions will prove problematic: Will employers risk waiting to hire verified candidates, only to possibly lose them to other employers? Will they bear the risk of hiring non-verified applicants on an interim basis?
Employer reliance on local indices checks is concerning, to be sure. They take time, as we know, but they also leave questions about coverage and human rights compliance – the process needs to be fair and justifiable, both ethically and legally.
Avoid the issue before it becomes detrimental. Get a criminal record check and if there is a need and the situation allows apply for a Canadian Pardon – it is a right of every Canadian. With a pardon no employer will be able to see previous convictions on the search mentioned above.
4.5 Million Need Not Apply – Criminal Records Catching Up With Canadians
The myriad of job seekers in the post-recession economy was dealt another blow as revealed by a new report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP). The Report shows that 90% of companies use criminal background checks at some point in their hiring policies. The rise in the use of criminal record checks is now being coupled with stringent and unfair hiring policies in regards to previous criminal records. Companies such as Domino’s Pizza, Lowe’s and RadioShack have implemented policies that require applicants for positions to have “no criminal record. Period.” These employers alone comprise 415,400 jobs in Canada, the United States and abroad. Over 1 in 10 Canadians and 1 in 4 Americans have a criminal record. Many applicants have a record for minor offences that occurred years before and hold no bearing on the current position even so, they are not even considered.
Labour advocacy groups have been arguing against the blanket restrictions on criminal records being imposed. Despite these calls to action the number of companies conducting background checks on applicants continues to grow. The argument that is put forward by advocates of the blanket restrictions is those corporations have a duty to provide a safe work environment for employees and customers. While this is true, a blanket restriction eliminates suitable candidates for discretions that are long since passed and currently have no bearing on the job or workplace security. The overall effect is detrimental to all parties as the possible pool of suitable employees is drastically reduced and the risk of recidivism and future crime is increased by unemployment.
The recommendations that are made by labour advocates are sound. The restrictions on people with criminal records should be lessened to allow all suitable applicants the chance to apply for the betterment of the applicants and the corporations. There is an apparent need to protect job seekers from arbitrary, discriminatory and potentially illegal hiring practices.
In Canada, the recourse against the wave of companies using background check lies in the realm of Pardon Services. Any Canadian can apply for a pardon if they have met the conditions and sentencing of the offence. Once obtained, a pardon can seal a criminal record from a corporation performing a background check. Through a pardon Canadians have the ability to leave their past behind them and continue towards a new job, career advancement, volunteer positions and a wealth of opportunities previously shut out because of a criminal record.
For more information on changing Criminal Record Legislation, Pardons and Record Suspension in Canada visit this informative Blog – Pardon Me, Canada.
Don’t Get Hit by the Omnibus: Pardon Regulation Set to Change
The brigade of campaign buses have been rolled out and the partisan trumpets are blasting party platform from coast to coast. Election time again in Canada. What does this mean for the Canadian Criminal Code and importantly, the issue of Pardons and the Pardoning Process?
The Conservative Party of Canada, under Stephen Harper, has announced that if elected with enough of the vote, they will pass an all-encompassing crime bill. These are generally known as omnibus bills – bills that contain multiple pieces of legislation that affect various segments of the legal code. This is not a footnote of Conservative Party platform. The Harper government wants to pass this bill within 100 days of the election on May 2nd.
Inside the bus is Bill-C23B. This bill has the purpose of giving the National Parole Board of Canada more discretion and power. The bill states “National Parole Board has...exclusive jurisdiction to grant or refuse to grant or to revoke a pardon”. Regardless of the merits of implementing this amendment and others to the Canadian Criminal Code the implication for Canadians remains clear. The process for applying for a pardon – soon to be known as “record suspension” – will become more difficult. Between 2009 and 2010, 7,000 applications to the NPB were rejected because they were incomplete or ineligible. With these amendments that number is bound to rise.
The large number of Canadians who are living with a criminal record, 13% and climbing, should be aware of the changes that will be coming down the legislative pipeline. There are options, Pardon Services exists to help Canadians successfully navigate the pardon process and arrive ultimately with a granted pardon. This enables Canadians to move forward, travel, receive due promotions and get employed. Pardon Services enables the growth of Canada and Canadians and will continue to do so as criminal legislation changes and moves forward.
If you are keen to get your pardon before the enactment of these legislations visit the most trusted pardon service provider to get the process started today.
HIRING PRACTICES EXPOSED - Red Carded Before the Game
Increasingly, companies are using criminal record checks in their hiring process before even talking to the applicant. The criminal record check industry has provided a readily available, popular, and inexpensive tool for pre-screening hopeful applicants. This use, now widespread, eliminates all job candidates with criminal records. People with criminal records are routinely being denied any opportunity to establish their job qualifications. Such a “blanket” approach is clearly flawed if not plain wrong; it seems not only unreasonable but also potentially illegal under civil rights laws.
Criminal background checks serve to determine the safety and security risk of candidates for employment or promotion. However, to assume that the existence of a criminal record accurately predicts such risk is illogical. Employers are using these checks as a way of determining character rather than qualification. The best qualified or even well-qualified individuals are being swept aside irrationally. These blanket exclusions provide no opportunity for employers to consider critical information, such as the nature and age of an offence plus its relationship to the job.
Another emerging aspect is the potential for covert discrimination – using criminal records to screen applicants serves as a facially neutral selection process that invites consideration and review. As such, the National Employment Law Project’s March 2011 report urges employers to reconsider their current hiring policies. An individualized assessment should take into account the nature and gravity of the offense(s), the time that has passed since the conviction and/or completion of the sentence, and the nature of the job held or sought. This approach would ensure that people with criminal records are not eliminated for youthful indiscretions, minor run-ins with the law, or more serious offenses from long ago.
Supporting this approach is the fact that a criminal record is difficult to interpret, making it a misleading tool to determine risk on the job. The BC Civil Liberties Association has raised concerns about employers using the PRIME (Police Records Information Management Environment) database for pre-employment checks. In the past, this database was considered a highly confidential tool for law enforcement. One of the problems inherent in using this database now for employment screening is that some information is being recorded as “negative contact,” a concept far too broad in scope for employers to base life-defining decisions upon. If it is going to be used increasingly for background checks, people will be demanding greater access to ensure information provided is accurate.
This is another example of what you don’t know can hurt you. How many people can tell you with 100% certainty what is in their file? How many of these hiring managers even know what their file says about them? If you are serious about your employment search or career advancement – do your best to have ALL the answers before you become excited about an application submission. Your past experiences, hard work, education and qualifications may be worth absolutely nothing to a potential employer if you set off a red flag.
Weeding Out the Criminal Record with a Pardon
“Maturity,” “sophistication,” “wisdom”: The adage youth is wasted on the young comes to mind when one realizes that maturity makes a person less innocent, after sophistication results from education, when wisdom yields good judgment and insight.
Here is the story of one Canadian having realized more fully the effect of using marijuana and the benefits of discontinuing the habit.
He was charged with his offence when he was just 19 years of age, in his first year of university. He was apprehended coming off the train with an amount of marijuana and some cookies. At the time, he used marijuana as a stress reducer but has since stopped.
Since his conviction, he has gone on to get his degree in computer science. After graduation, he started working as a technical support representative for a consulting company and was promoted to a technical lead position after just one year. About two years later, he moved to the Maritimes where he currently works as a software support representative.
A pardon has helped him to be able to apply to a broader scope of employment opportunities that previously were out of reach due to his criminal record. The background checks that potential employers might perform will now provide a clean slate with which he can move forward. His U.S. entry waiver will also allow him to travel freely to the U.S., which is required on occasion at his current job.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the wisdom that he most certainly has.
Sun of a Beach...Criminal Record Limits Travel
Canadians love to travel. This fact is reflected in the number of Canadians currently holding valid Canadian passports increasing to 60 percent from only 36 percent in 2005. Although the recession in 2008 kept many from travelling the way they would have liked, some choosing to pursue the “staycation” while the economy was sluggish, the number of people traveling has since rebounded.
During the 2010/2011 winter travel season, 10 percent more Canadians travelled to the US than the previous year, with Hawaii proving to be the one of the most attractive places. The US is a top destination for Canadians. In fact, several US locations are currently on the list of the top 25 beaches in the world for 2011. Unfortunately for some would be travelers, a Canadian criminal record limits your ability to travel to the US.
Travelling abroad has also seen a resurgence. In the winter, Canadians love the sun, choosing R & R on beaches and cruises. And during the other seasons, destinations like Mexico, Cuba, Britain, and China are increasingly popular. To take advantage of lower flight costs, a significant number of Canadian travelers are now going to the US for flights to US destinations and around the world.
Quite apparent is the position that the US holds in all these ventures. A predominance of travel is either to or through the US. What a shame it is that so many Canadians cannot even consider pursuing their dream vacations because they have a criminal record. Only through getting a pardon to remove that criminal record and receiving a waiver to gain entry into the US will that dream become a reality.
During the 2010/2011 winter travel season, 10 percent more Canadians travelled to the US than the previous year, with Hawaii proving to be the one of the most attractive places. The US is a top destination for Canadians. In fact, several US locations are currently on the list of the top 25 beaches in the world for 2011. Unfortunately for some would be travelers, a Canadian criminal record limits your ability to travel to the US.
Travelling abroad has also seen a resurgence. In the winter, Canadians love the sun, choosing R & R on beaches and cruises. And during the other seasons, destinations like Mexico, Cuba, Britain, and China are increasingly popular. To take advantage of lower flight costs, a significant number of Canadian travelers are now going to the US for flights to US destinations and around the world.
Quite apparent is the position that the US holds in all these ventures. A predominance of travel is either to or through the US. What a shame it is that so many Canadians cannot even consider pursuing their dream vacations because they have a criminal record. Only through getting a pardon to remove that criminal record and receiving a waiver to gain entry into the US will that dream become a reality.
Seeking A Pardon Is The Only Recourse To Removing A Criminal Record.
Since 1970, over 400,000 Canadians have been issued pardons. 96% of those recipients have remained crime free in our communities. Why have so many Canadians endeavored to obtain their pardons, ridding themselves of their criminal records? Once people convicted of a crime have completed their sentence, paid their fine, or complied in any other way that the courts have ordered, shouldn’t they feel relieved? Shouldn’t they be able to put their mind at rest knowing that they have “paid their dues” and can now move forward and re-establish?
The fact is that everyone wants to undo errors in judgment that led them to having a criminal record. Get a new job, volunteer at their children’s school, coach a sports team, adopt a child, change one’s name, maintain custody of children during separation or divorce, these opportunities and others are not possible unless their criminal records are sealed through obtaining a pardon.
In addition, they most likely seek respite from the physiological and psychological impact of the burden that a criminal record causes. Not only do they want to move forward, they also want to gain peace of mind. When confronted with the procedure of undergoing a criminal record check while being considered for a promotion or a new job, while wishing to be able to volunteer for community endeavors, while worrying about friends or neighbours discovering the past: The stress can and does cause physical and psychological trauma. Anyone has the opportunity to have their record checked and should do so for peace of mind.
Receiving a pardon enables a person to live just as if he had never committed a crime – a pardoned crime will not be disclosed on a criminal record check provided by the RCMP. A clean criminal record is a requirement for moving forward, and applying for a pardon is the route to follow. Obtaining a pardon is a long process, so it’s best to start well in advance. Seeking the assistance of a pardon services specialist will make that process easier and provide the assurance needed.
The fact is that everyone wants to undo errors in judgment that led them to having a criminal record. Get a new job, volunteer at their children’s school, coach a sports team, adopt a child, change one’s name, maintain custody of children during separation or divorce, these opportunities and others are not possible unless their criminal records are sealed through obtaining a pardon.
In addition, they most likely seek respite from the physiological and psychological impact of the burden that a criminal record causes. Not only do they want to move forward, they also want to gain peace of mind. When confronted with the procedure of undergoing a criminal record check while being considered for a promotion or a new job, while wishing to be able to volunteer for community endeavors, while worrying about friends or neighbours discovering the past: The stress can and does cause physical and psychological trauma. Anyone has the opportunity to have their record checked and should do so for peace of mind.
The RCMP is the only body in Canada with the authority to perform criminal record background checks. Employers are increasingly using criminal record checks, through the RCMP, when qualifying prospective and current employees for new hires and promotions. An otherwise qualified person can expect to be turned down, even if the conviction was for a seemingly insignificant offence that happened long ago. That record exists and can be seen by employers. Even more unsettling is the fact that some companies have started applying their new criminal record policies retroactively. Long-term employees have been dismissed because of a minor, old offence.
Receiving a pardon enables a person to live just as if he had never committed a crime – a pardoned crime will not be disclosed on a criminal record check provided by the RCMP. A clean criminal record is a requirement for moving forward, and applying for a pardon is the route to follow. Obtaining a pardon is a long process, so it’s best to start well in advance. Seeking the assistance of a pardon services specialist will make that process easier and provide the assurance needed.
‘The New Canadian Pardon: More Expensive & Harder To Get. Really?
The Canadian Government has proposed that the cost of applying for a pardon be raised to $631, after only recently raising it from $50 to $150. Some people feel that those who commit crimes should have to pay for their own rehabilitation, whereas others feel that if getting a Canadian pardon proves too difficult or expensive, many will never be rehabilitated.
Quite interesting is the fact that, for pardoning criminal records, the price is under debate at the same time as the general requirements: Is the pardons process strict enough, or should it be made more difficult?
This raises two important questions for discussion:
Raise the price? The Government claims it would offset the cost to the taxpayer – a claim that defies logic to some degree. Consider that taxpayers’ money is used to administer the justice system. Raising the cost of a pardon – and quite significantly - would prove obtaining a pardon prohibitive for many, most likely because their criminal records are currently preventing them from becoming gainfully employed. Not being gainfully employed results in the individual NOT being able to contribute to the public purse, and in some cases actually taking more away from it by relying on some form of public assistance. These people want to work. They are willing to pay taxes. Why stop them?
Make the process more difficult? One might well wonder what end this would serve. Take economics out of the equation. People who are legally entitled to receive a criminal pardon and are well rehabilitated or certainly have learned their lesson should not be further tripped up with another stumbling block. These are people who are working hard and are contributing members of society. The Canadian pardon process is already fair and effective, although it requires accuracy and thoroughness both on the part of the Parole Board of Canada and the applicant. Many people seek the assistance of Client Specialists to assure accuracy & thoroughness to better guarantee success with their application. But why make the process more complicated? A person who is working hard at life and contributing to society is not planning crimes. Do they really need more paperwork in Ottawa?
Because the spectrum of crime in Canada is so great, the likelihood of the average person knowing and/or associating with someone who has a criminal record is actually very high. Many everyday people have a minor conviction along with a criminal record. Most of these convictions usually result as a lapse of better judgment rather than an outright strategic criminal endeavor.
To make pardons more expensive or more difficult to obtain would be harsh and counterproductive to the average person.
Ultimately it will take more money away from the Government through lost future employment taxes than is collected from a one-time increased application fee. Rather than serving as a significant deterrent to the intended criminal, it hinders the productive rehabilitated individuals and looks more like an immediate, non-logical cash grab by the Government.
The Pardon Services Canada Guide To Choosing Your Record Suspension Specialist.
If you have a criminal record, you already know that it can prohibit you from doing certain things. Areas that are typically affected include work, travel, volunteering, education and even adoption! That is, until enough time passes so that you qualify to apply for a record suspension.
The Canadian record suspension procedure also known as a pardon in Canada can be a very intimidating and a confusing experience for the average person. Questions like; ‘Where do I find information on the record suspension process?’, ‘Do I qualify for a record suspension?’, and ‘How does it take to get a record suspension?’ all come to mind.
Unless you are a lawyer, most likely you will need some type of help preparing your application for the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa. If you choose to take this on yourself – good luck! But please remember a few things.
• Different people require different record suspension documents.
• Fingerprints are a basic requirement for every application – but there are two kinds!
• You need to complete the right document package – different record suspension documents need to be provided in full, and can vary from person to person.
• Every record suspension application is different. What is good for one record suspension application may not be enough for another.
• A record suspension application needs to be properly prepared and fully completed.
You can try to do it all yourself, but why would you chance having your record suspension application returned because you forgot complete one very small but critical detail? Success or failure depends solely on how well your record suspension application is prepared. If your application is returned, you must wait one full year to apply again.
While the prospect of asking for help does not appeal to everyone, there comes a time when you need to stack the deck in your own favor. It’s better to team up with a record suspension specialist and give yourself the inside advantage.
So if you agree that you may need the help of a specialist, make sure that you team up with someone who has a successful track record, someone who can really guarantee that they can help you.
Ask these questions:
• How many years have you been obtaining record suspensions for your clients?
• What is you success rate?
• Will I be able to track the progress of my record suspension application? Where and how?
• Do you have customer service agents available to answer my questions over the phone?
• Where is your office located?
• Do you have client testimonials or references?
• Will you keep me up-to-date on my record suspension application as it progresses?
• How is my personal and private information handled?
• How can you guarantee my privacy?
• Why should I go with your company?
When it comes to clearing criminal records, Pardon Services Canada has been helping Canadians with confidential, fast and affordable service for over 20 years.
You can find out more information regarding your rights, and learn about easy steps to total freedom by visiting http://www.pardonservicescanada.com/. Stay in the loop with the latest record suspension news in Canada.
Pardon Services Canada can help you clear your good name.
The Canadian record suspension procedure also known as a pardon in Canada can be a very intimidating and a confusing experience for the average person. Questions like; ‘Where do I find information on the record suspension process?’, ‘Do I qualify for a record suspension?’, and ‘How does it take to get a record suspension?’ all come to mind.
Unless you are a lawyer, most likely you will need some type of help preparing your application for the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa. If you choose to take this on yourself – good luck! But please remember a few things.
• Different people require different record suspension documents.
• Fingerprints are a basic requirement for every application – but there are two kinds!
• You need to complete the right document package – different record suspension documents need to be provided in full, and can vary from person to person.
• Every record suspension application is different. What is good for one record suspension application may not be enough for another.
• A record suspension application needs to be properly prepared and fully completed.
You can try to do it all yourself, but why would you chance having your record suspension application returned because you forgot complete one very small but critical detail? Success or failure depends solely on how well your record suspension application is prepared. If your application is returned, you must wait one full year to apply again.
While the prospect of asking for help does not appeal to everyone, there comes a time when you need to stack the deck in your own favor. It’s better to team up with a record suspension specialist and give yourself the inside advantage.
So if you agree that you may need the help of a specialist, make sure that you team up with someone who has a successful track record, someone who can really guarantee that they can help you.
Ask these questions:
• How many years have you been obtaining record suspensions for your clients?
• What is you success rate?
• Will I be able to track the progress of my record suspension application? Where and how?
• Do you have customer service agents available to answer my questions over the phone?
• Where is your office located?
• Do you have client testimonials or references?
• Will you keep me up-to-date on my record suspension application as it progresses?
• How is my personal and private information handled?
• How can you guarantee my privacy?
• Why should I go with your company?
When it comes to clearing criminal records, Pardon Services Canada has been helping Canadians with confidential, fast and affordable service for over 20 years.
You can find out more information regarding your rights, and learn about easy steps to total freedom by visiting http://www.pardonservicescanada.com/. Stay in the loop with the latest record suspension news in Canada.
Pardon Services Canada can help you clear your good name.
A Straight Life Is The Best Life - Leading By Example
“Success”: favorable termination of attempts; attainment; triumph; fruition – the concept, regardless of how it is defined, always produces a positive, anticipating, elating feeling.
No matter how minor or serious the circumstance might be that a troubled person is contending with, to feel a measure of success when having overcome the consequences is uplifting to say the least.
Here is a brief story of a woman who, after overcoming a controlling drug addiction, has become successful and content and has gained a renewed sense of well being after receiving her Canadian pardon.
As a young woman she was introduced to drugs, which led to a life of destruction, as is so obvious. She worked hard to totally dissociate herself from all involvement with crime or past associates. She is very remorseful when looking back and realizing all those wasted years. She has not indulged in drugs or alcohol for nearly twenty years. Her goals now are to continue teach her family by example - that a straight life is the best life. And to continue to grow - by helping her community thus achieving self-fulfillment.
She has done a complete turnaround with the love and support of her family who have helped her overcome her past. She has lived a quiet life, caring for her grandson while her daughter worked and her elderly mother. She also taught illiterate adults to read and write, a most valuable experience as she was helping not only herself, but others as well.
A pardon from Pardon Services Canada has given her the freedom to travel with her family to the U.S. on holidays. She no longer lives with the fear of someone in the community finding out about her past, which she so regrets. She also has been given the opportunity to do volunteer work that her criminal record had previously prevented.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help applying for and obtaining your Canadian criminal pardon. You too can gain the peace of mind and a second shot at living a life free of a criminal record.
Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let your past limit your future.
No matter how minor or serious the circumstance might be that a troubled person is contending with, to feel a measure of success when having overcome the consequences is uplifting to say the least.
Here is a brief story of a woman who, after overcoming a controlling drug addiction, has become successful and content and has gained a renewed sense of well being after receiving her Canadian pardon.
As a young woman she was introduced to drugs, which led to a life of destruction, as is so obvious. She worked hard to totally dissociate herself from all involvement with crime or past associates. She is very remorseful when looking back and realizing all those wasted years. She has not indulged in drugs or alcohol for nearly twenty years. Her goals now are to continue teach her family by example - that a straight life is the best life. And to continue to grow - by helping her community thus achieving self-fulfillment.
She has done a complete turnaround with the love and support of her family who have helped her overcome her past. She has lived a quiet life, caring for her grandson while her daughter worked and her elderly mother. She also taught illiterate adults to read and write, a most valuable experience as she was helping not only herself, but others as well.
A pardon from Pardon Services Canada has given her the freedom to travel with her family to the U.S. on holidays. She no longer lives with the fear of someone in the community finding out about her past, which she so regrets. She also has been given the opportunity to do volunteer work that her criminal record had previously prevented.
If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help applying for and obtaining your Canadian criminal pardon. You too can gain the peace of mind and a second shot at living a life free of a criminal record.
Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let your past limit your future.
Realizations When You Remove Your Criminal Record
At Pardon Services Canada, we deal with people from all walks of life. The one common element they all share is a spot on their record from the past. In order to move on with their lives without hassle as a result of this record, obtaining a criminal pardon is the logical next step. This opens up a myriad of opportunities.
Here is a assorted list of things people realize when they Remove Their Record.
Peace of mind
The most important reason to remove your criminal record is to take that weight off your shoulders once and for all. Relax and simply move on with your life, at long last.
Family vacations
Wouldn't you like to take your family somewhere other than Canada? With your criminal record expunged, and waiver for the US organized, you can travel without hindrance to places you have dreamed of traveling to.
Self forgiveness
We are hardest on ourselves. If you are in a position to be forgiven by the law, your society and the world, it is time to forgive yourself as well. Removing your record will erase that part of your past, and the darkness on your mind, once and for all.
Some sayings/quotes make more sense now
Some famous quotes surround the issue of pardons and forgiveness.
Here are a few:
To err is human, to forgive, divine.
Alexander Pope
Essay on Criticism
Forgiveness is better than revenge.
Pittacus of Mitylene
Heraclitus
I pardon him as God shall pardon me.
William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second (King Henry at V, iii)
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Gandhi
Forgive thyself little, and others much.
Leighton
Always forgive your enemies--nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
Lesson from history
When the first George Washington was young, he chopped down a mature cherry tree in his backyard. His father was furious, and when asked if he had done it, he said: "I cannot tell a lie..I did cut it with my little hatchet." The tale is famous because it not only told of the importance of truth and honesty, but also the folly found within every man, and the forgiveness we all gain over time. This young boy overcame the stigma of a small transgression to become the most powerful man of his day.
A new leaf
People change. While we may have been more reckless and wild in our youth, we mellow with age, we mature, and we become more responsible. It is unfair and unnecessary to carry a stigma throughout your entire life from the indiscretions of your youth. Forgiveness is forgiveness, and people are allowed to learn and grow. Without pardons, there would be no forward progress.
Privacy
In some provinces, one person can explicitly request another person’s criminal record. Your business should be your business, especially if you have already completed your sentence – whatever it was. With a pardon, your record will be hidden, and your past forgotten and inaccessible.
Closure
Simply knowing that you have a criminal record can be a stressful burden. It can create tension, both real and imagined, with family, friends and loved ones. With your record removed once and for all, you can breathe easy again.
A good night's sleep
Worrying about the ramifications of a having a criminal record can keep you up at night. Will my boss find out? Should I tell my family? How will I cross the border? Will they know? Is it really worth it? If you have your record expunged once and for all, you will be able to rest easy.
Canadian citizenship
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you still can have a Canadian criminal record. This can be a problem if you have been waiting for your citizenship papers to come through, or if you have loved ones in the country dependent on you. It is impossible to gain citizenship with a criminal record, unless, of course, you acquire a pardon first. If you are a landed immigrant and you get a record, you could be faced with deportation. Don’t let this happen. Contact us first.
Everyday hassles
If you are pulled over by the police for any reason, they can run your name and see that you have a criminal record, no matter when it happened. Customs officers also have access to your record; even if you cross the border to go shopping, they can see everything. With a pardon, these records are removed from view and awkward explainable situations are eliminated.
Education
More and more programs require that you complete a criminal record check before applying. A pardon can keep your files separate so that your record will not appear in a search and you can further your education based on your merits.
Bondability
There are many jobs that require an employer to take insurance out on their employees. Security agencies, banks, even most moving companies will ask you to be bonded. While having a criminal record may not prevent you from getting the job outright, it is more expensive for an employer to bond you with a record, so they may choose to go with the other candidate simply because he/she does not have a record (or already had their record removed!)
Adoption
You may not be allowed to adopt a child if you have a criminal record. Often, people are not aware of this stipulation and find out too late that their record is in the way. It is best to remove your record far in advance, to keep your doors open for the future.
Finally bury that skeleton
Many people live with a criminal record as if it is a skeleton in a closet. They don't want to talk about it. They just want to pretend it isn't there at all. Unfortunately, sometimes your past can come back to haunt you, and often at the most inappropriate times. Family vacations, business trips to the United States, and nosy people prying can bring a forgotten record back to life. Sometimes, it's easier to just have it gone – for good.
Future employment
Many employers ask for a background check before you begin working. Positions may ask that you be “bonded,” which means that you must have no record on file. In this uncertain market, it is advisable to not only have an updated resume, but take the time to have your record expunged so that you do not eliminate yourself from new or future opportunities or advancement.
"Spot checks" at the workplace
Companies are known to cull the heard. It is becoming more common for employers to do a criminal background check on their current employees. Overnight, you could lose your job. It happens. Get a pardon.
Volunteering
You may not be able to volunteer for many worthy causes with a criminal record. With a pardon, your record will be sealed and you will be able to maintain your social responsibilities.
International travel
Canada is a diverse nation of diverse people. While our country is truly fantastic, do not limit yourself from seeing the world! You may not be able to travel outside of Canada with a criminal record.
Now just think.
How many of things on this assorted list apply to you? You are not alone. Infact, 13% of all Canadians have a criminal record. Even if you do not have a criminal record, chances are that you know someone who does.
Either way, there is great news. Pardon Services Canada can help you. Actually, we guarentee that we can help you get your pardon - or your money back. Our success rate is 99%.
If you are serious about taking the next steps, or you just need a little more information, call us now. We have a specialist for you - no matter what your record. Call 1-8-NOW-PARDON. Let's remove your record!
Here is a assorted list of things people realize when they Remove Their Record.
Peace of mind
The most important reason to remove your criminal record is to take that weight off your shoulders once and for all. Relax and simply move on with your life, at long last.
Family vacations
Wouldn't you like to take your family somewhere other than Canada? With your criminal record expunged, and waiver for the US organized, you can travel without hindrance to places you have dreamed of traveling to.
Self forgiveness
We are hardest on ourselves. If you are in a position to be forgiven by the law, your society and the world, it is time to forgive yourself as well. Removing your record will erase that part of your past, and the darkness on your mind, once and for all.
Some sayings/quotes make more sense now
Some famous quotes surround the issue of pardons and forgiveness.
Here are a few:
To err is human, to forgive, divine.
Alexander Pope
Essay on Criticism
Forgiveness is better than revenge.
Pittacus of Mitylene
Heraclitus
I pardon him as God shall pardon me.
William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second (King Henry at V, iii)
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Gandhi
Forgive thyself little, and others much.
Leighton
Always forgive your enemies--nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
Lesson from history
When the first George Washington was young, he chopped down a mature cherry tree in his backyard. His father was furious, and when asked if he had done it, he said: "I cannot tell a lie..I did cut it with my little hatchet." The tale is famous because it not only told of the importance of truth and honesty, but also the folly found within every man, and the forgiveness we all gain over time. This young boy overcame the stigma of a small transgression to become the most powerful man of his day.
A new leaf
People change. While we may have been more reckless and wild in our youth, we mellow with age, we mature, and we become more responsible. It is unfair and unnecessary to carry a stigma throughout your entire life from the indiscretions of your youth. Forgiveness is forgiveness, and people are allowed to learn and grow. Without pardons, there would be no forward progress.
Privacy
In some provinces, one person can explicitly request another person’s criminal record. Your business should be your business, especially if you have already completed your sentence – whatever it was. With a pardon, your record will be hidden, and your past forgotten and inaccessible.
Closure
Simply knowing that you have a criminal record can be a stressful burden. It can create tension, both real and imagined, with family, friends and loved ones. With your record removed once and for all, you can breathe easy again.
A good night's sleep
Worrying about the ramifications of a having a criminal record can keep you up at night. Will my boss find out? Should I tell my family? How will I cross the border? Will they know? Is it really worth it? If you have your record expunged once and for all, you will be able to rest easy.
Canadian citizenship
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you still can have a Canadian criminal record. This can be a problem if you have been waiting for your citizenship papers to come through, or if you have loved ones in the country dependent on you. It is impossible to gain citizenship with a criminal record, unless, of course, you acquire a pardon first. If you are a landed immigrant and you get a record, you could be faced with deportation. Don’t let this happen. Contact us first.
Everyday hassles
If you are pulled over by the police for any reason, they can run your name and see that you have a criminal record, no matter when it happened. Customs officers also have access to your record; even if you cross the border to go shopping, they can see everything. With a pardon, these records are removed from view and awkward explainable situations are eliminated.
Education
More and more programs require that you complete a criminal record check before applying. A pardon can keep your files separate so that your record will not appear in a search and you can further your education based on your merits.
Bondability
There are many jobs that require an employer to take insurance out on their employees. Security agencies, banks, even most moving companies will ask you to be bonded. While having a criminal record may not prevent you from getting the job outright, it is more expensive for an employer to bond you with a record, so they may choose to go with the other candidate simply because he/she does not have a record (or already had their record removed!)
Adoption
You may not be allowed to adopt a child if you have a criminal record. Often, people are not aware of this stipulation and find out too late that their record is in the way. It is best to remove your record far in advance, to keep your doors open for the future.
Finally bury that skeleton
Many people live with a criminal record as if it is a skeleton in a closet. They don't want to talk about it. They just want to pretend it isn't there at all. Unfortunately, sometimes your past can come back to haunt you, and often at the most inappropriate times. Family vacations, business trips to the United States, and nosy people prying can bring a forgotten record back to life. Sometimes, it's easier to just have it gone – for good.
Future employment
Many employers ask for a background check before you begin working. Positions may ask that you be “bonded,” which means that you must have no record on file. In this uncertain market, it is advisable to not only have an updated resume, but take the time to have your record expunged so that you do not eliminate yourself from new or future opportunities or advancement.
"Spot checks" at the workplace
Companies are known to cull the heard. It is becoming more common for employers to do a criminal background check on their current employees. Overnight, you could lose your job. It happens. Get a pardon.
Volunteering
You may not be able to volunteer for many worthy causes with a criminal record. With a pardon, your record will be sealed and you will be able to maintain your social responsibilities.
International travel
Canada is a diverse nation of diverse people. While our country is truly fantastic, do not limit yourself from seeing the world! You may not be able to travel outside of Canada with a criminal record.
Now just think.
How many of things on this assorted list apply to you? You are not alone. Infact, 13% of all Canadians have a criminal record. Even if you do not have a criminal record, chances are that you know someone who does.
Either way, there is great news. Pardon Services Canada can help you. Actually, we guarentee that we can help you get your pardon - or your money back. Our success rate is 99%.
If you are serious about taking the next steps, or you just need a little more information, call us now. We have a specialist for you - no matter what your record. Call 1-8-NOW-PARDON. Let's remove your record!
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.
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