Mandatory minimum sentences are the very lowest possible punishment that an individual can receive if he or she is convicted of a criminal offence in Canada. Most offences in the Criminal Code do not have mandatory minimum sentences, and leave it up to the judge’s discretion to determine what an appropriate sentence may be. Most recently, new mandatory minimum sentences for several drug offences have come into effect. There are many opponents to these mandatory minimum sentences due to the fact that their effect on crime-prevention is negligible at best, and because of the strain that these mandatory minimums will put on Canada’s already over-worked court system.[…] Read More
By Ediliza Sindayen
Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, February 3, 2013. An epic matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, with a half time show featuring a reunion by Destiny’s Child. Myles Wilkinson, a Vancouver Island man who beat out millions of competitors to win a fantasy football leagues grand prize of tickets to Super Bowl XLVII, should have been there to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event. However, due to a past criminal conviction, Mr.[…] Read More
Your local police station can usually provide you with all the information you need regarding your convictions or your criminal record. Many Canadians contact us and do not remember their exact convictions, or know what would appear on their criminal record, and we often send them to their local police station for more information. Attending a police station can sometimes be daunting for those who have had difficulties with police in the past, but it’s definitely worth it in order to begin the process of obtaining a Pardon with all the proper information necessary.[…] Read More
By Tamara Sinclair
Following the horrific shooting at a Connecticut elementary school in December of 2012, United States gun laws have come under significant critique. This has made some gun advocates anxious, but the major proposals by President Obama are in fact similar to laws already in place in California and Canada. […] Read More
It is a very broad question to ask “What is a Criminal Offence in Canada?” simply because there are so many different types. However, if it is indeed a criminal offence, then you will be able to find it codified in Canadian law. There are several pieces of federal legislation that outline what constitutes a criminal offence in Canada, but we will focus only on the most common. Be aware that complete and searchable versions of these Acts are freely available on the government of Canada’s website, and several links have been provided below.[…] Read More
Research done by Princeton University indicates that one of every four Americans has a criminal background. That is an estimated 65 million Americans. A criminal record can not only hold you back from getting a desirable job in the United States but can also deny you entry to your neighbors up north. Do not let a criminal record hold you back on job opportunities, ski trips, or visiting loved ones. If you have made mistakes like many people have in their past, you can still be paying the consequences many years later.[…] Read More
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been seeking greater access to Canadian records under the guise of their Secure Flight objectives. Launched in December of 2010, Secure Flight applies to flights into, from, or even simply over the United States (known as “overflights”.) This program requires that everyone flying in US airspace will be required to submit their personal information to the TSA for the purposes of pre-flight screening. Prior to these new initiatives, Canadians were checked against the FBI’s no-fly list.[…] Read More
Since the legislation changes in March of 2012 the Parole Board of Canada has undergone some radical changes in the way they process applications, including tightening their requirements for accepting applications. A recent article published by The Canadian Press, and contributed to by Pardon Services Canada, has revealed how dramatic these changes have been. By issuing a request through the Access to Information Act the authors of this article have unveiled some surprising new numbers that are indicative of the changing practices of the Parole Board of Canada.[…] Read More
By Andrew Maclachlan
Trucking and transport is a huge industry in Canada, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue each year. Canada’s resources, such as timber and oil are extremely valuable, making the transportation of these resources particularly profitable. Other goods common in transport trucks include: produce, electronics, sporting goods, house wares, appliances, and a whole host of other helpful goods. A career in the transport industry can prove to be quite lucrative.[…] Read More
Canada and the United States have a strong history of sharing data and information, including criminal records. This often becomes an issue for Canadians who attempt to cross into the United States, and are denied due to their criminal record. United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) are one agency that is able to access Canadian criminal records. They can do this by checking the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), which is the repository for all Canadian federal criminal records.[…] Read More
