Jake from Newfoundland (his name and location have been changed to protect his identity) applied to obtain a pardon for a single offence of driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit (DUI), dating back to when he was 21 years old. Jake wholeheartedly regretted this and made changes in his life to demonstrate having become a good member of society. He took a defensive driving course, attended university to study accounting while gainfully employed and volunteered in his community. Four years after the offence, in February of 2011 he petitioned for a pardon to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) to seal his past criminal record so that he could progress in his career. After a full three years later, the PBC sent him a letter proposing to deny his petition because of two traffic charges. The PBC told him the traffic violations “raised doubt about whether you had been of good conduct since your last conviction”.
Jake approached Pardon Services Canada and together a compelling case was built to show that Jake had rehabilitated and merited a pardon. In the brief, Pardon Services Canada advocated that their client was entitled to the full legislated remedies available under the Criminal Records Act of Canada (CRA). In April 2014, Jake’s pardon was granted, however the process was unnecessarily difficult, time consuming and costly.
An estimated 13% of Canadians have a criminal record – usually minor offences which can create barriers for mobility, employment and international travel. As advocates for Canadians with past criminal records who need to exercise their rights under the CRA, Pardon Services Canada is approached by many citizens in good standing whose petitions for pardons are unduly delayed and often time refused for frivolous reason, as in the case of Jake from Newfoundland. Azmairnin Jadavji, President of the company states, “As citizens we need to be vigilant that the bureaucrats do not take license to be mean spirited and work against the intent of the law which is meant to give a genuine second chance to people who have made mistakes. We invite anyone who has been arbitrarily treated to contact our offices.”
Pardon Services Canada also assists those from the United States that wish to enter Canada with a DUI or other conviction that might prevent crossing the border.