Pardons
A pardon allows you to have your criminal record removed from the public record by keeping it separate from other criminal records.
Under the Criminal Records Act (CRA), a pardon can be requested after you have completed your sentence and can prove that you have had good conduct in the community.
You may have to wait up to 10 years after your sentence has been completed before applying for a pardon. The exact waiting period depends on your sentence.
For more information about pardons, please see this Parole Board of Canada fact sheet.
You will need to apply to the Parole Board of Canada. The board makes all decisions about pardons.
Denying or Cancelling Pardons
The Parole Board of Canada can deny or cancel a pardon if you do not act appropriately in the community. Some examples of when a pardon can be cancelled are:
- if you are convicted of an indictable or hybrid offence. The Parole Board of Canada may revoke your pardon if you are convicted of a summary offence. See: Types of Offences - Accused.
- when the Parole Board of Canada finds out not all information provided on the pardon application was truthful or relevant information was not included; or
- when you no longer have good conduct in the community.
If you lose your approval for a pardon, you can reapply after one year -- as long as you can show you have been a law-abiding citizen.
