Pardon in Canada: How to Apply for a Record Suspension in Quebec
Justi Admin
A plain-language guide to getting a pardon, now called a record suspension, from Quebec: who is eligible, the steps to apply, how long it takes, US travel, and when a lawyer helps.
A pardon in Canada is now officially called a record suspension. It is granted by the Parole Board of Canada, and it sets your criminal record apart from other records, so it no longer shows up in most background checks. It does not erase what happened, but it can make finding a job, renting an apartment or volunteering much easier. This guide explains, in plain terms, who can apply from Quebec, the steps involved, how long it takes, and when a lawyer is worth it.
Does Canada still do pardons?
Yes, only under a different name. "Pardon" is still the word most people use, but federal law now calls it a record suspension. In French you will see both pardon and suspension du casier judiciaire. The Parole Board of Canada, known in French as the Commission des libérations conditionnelles du Canada (CLCC), is the only body that can grant one, under the Criminal Records Act. Any earlier pardon that was never revoked keeps its effect.
What a record suspension does, and what it doesn't
Once a record suspension is ordered, your record held by the RCMP is kept apart from other criminal records. In practice:
- a standard criminal record check through Canadian police should no longer reveal the conviction;
- federal agencies cannot disclose the record without the Parole Board's permission;
- in Quebec, the Charter of human rights and freedoms protects you against being dismissed or refused a job only because of an offence for which you received a pardon.
It also has limits worth knowing before you apply:
- it does not erase the conviction or destroy the file; the record still exists;
- it can be revoked or cease to apply, for example if you are later convicted of a new offence;
- some checks, such as the vulnerable sector check for work with children or vulnerable people, can still flag certain sexual offences;
- it does not bind other countries, including the United States (more on that below).
What are the requirements for a pardon in Canada?
To be eligible, you must have completed every part of your sentence: any jail time, probation, conditions, and payment of fines, surcharges, restitution or compensation orders. Only then does a waiting period begin. Its length depends on the type of offence:
- Summary conviction offences: the less serious offences, which come with a shorter waiting period.
- Indictable offences: the more serious offences, which come with a longer waiting period.
You must not have been convicted of a new offence during that waiting period. Because the exact periods and rules can change, check the Parole Board of Canada's record suspension page for the current requirements before you start gathering documents.
Offences that can't be suspended
Some people are not eligible at all. In general terms, this covers certain sexual offences involving children (with narrow exceptions) and people with a significant number of serious indictable convictions that each led to lengthy prison sentences. If you are unsure whether your record falls into one of these categories, that is a good question to put to a lawyer before spending time and money on an application.
Discharges and historical offences
If you received an absolute or conditional discharge, you were found guilty but not convicted. Those records are meant to be removed from the RCMP database automatically after a set period, so you may not need a record suspension at all. Ask for a fingerprint-based check first to see what actually appears. Separately, people convicted of certain historical offences tied to consensual sexual activity between same-sex partners can apply to have those records expunged, which destroys them entirely. That is a different, free process run by the Parole Board.
How to apply for a record suspension: step by step
The application is a paper file you assemble yourself, then send to the Parole Board. The steps below follow the Board's official guide:
- 1. Get your criminal record from the RCMP. This requires your fingerprints, taken by an accredited fingerprinting company or a police service, and sent to the RCMP's criminal records service. It shows every conviction on file.
- 2. Get your court information. For each conviction, request the court records from the courthouse where you were sentenced. In Quebec, that means the court office (greffe) of the palais de justice concerned.
- 3. Get local police checks. Request a local police record check from the police services where you have lived during the waiting period, for example a municipal police service or the Sûreté du Québec.
- 4. Gather proof of identity and military records, if applicable. Anyone who served in the Canadian Armed Forces needs a conduct sheet.
- 5. Fill in the application form and measurable-benefit section. Explain how a record suspension would help you, such as with work, volunteering or housing.
- 6. Pay the processing fee and mail the full package. Incomplete files are returned, which is the most common cause of delay.
How much does it cost to get a pardon in Canada?
There is an application fee set by the Parole Board, plus separate charges for fingerprinting, court documents and police checks, which vary by provider and city. The government fee is listed on the Parole Board's website; check it there, since it can change.
You will also see private companies offering to handle the whole process for a fee. Using one is not required, it does not move your file ahead in the Parole Board's queue, and no company can promise that your record suspension will be granted. If you consider one, read the contract carefully and compare it with what a lawyer would charge for the same help.
How long does a record suspension take?
Plan for a process measured in months rather than weeks. Collecting court and police documents takes time on its own, and the Parole Board then reviews the file. Files for summary offences are generally processed faster than files for indictable offences, and a file the Board intends to refuse takes longer because you get a chance to respond. The Board publishes its current processing standards on its site.
Can I travel to the United States with a record suspension?
A Canadian record suspension is not recognised by US border authorities. If your conviction was already shared before the suspension, it may still be on file in the United States, and the officer can deny entry. Depending on the offence, you may need a US entry waiver, a separate application handled by US authorities. Do this before you travel, not at the border, and be honest if asked about your record.
Is it worth getting a pardon in Canada?
For most people with an old conviction, yes. It removes a barrier that keeps coming up in job applications, professional licensing, apartment rentals and volunteer work. It also offers protection under Quebec's Charter in hiring. It is less useful if your main goal is US travel, since the suspension does not carry across the border.
When to get a lawyer for a record suspension
Many people apply on their own, and with a simple record that works well. A lawyer is worth it when:
- you have several convictions, or some are indictable and you are unsure whether you are eligible;
- you are not sure your sentence is fully completed, for example because of an unpaid fine or surcharge;
- the Parole Board has told you it intends to refuse, and you need to respond in writing;
- you had a discharge or an old pardon and do not know what still appears on your record;
- you also need advice on travelling to the United States or on immigration consequences.
Compare and book a lawyer on JustiConnect
JustiConnect is a marketplace where you can compare lawyers and book a consultation online. Browse record expungement lawyers who help with pardon and record suspension files, or look more broadly at criminal lawyers if your situation also involves an ongoing case. You can also search for a record expungement lawyer by city, read their profiles and pick a time that suits you.
FAQ
Is a record suspension the same as a pardon?
Yes, in everyday language. "Record suspension" is the legal term used today; "pardon" is the older word that most people still search for.
Can I apply for a record suspension myself?
Yes. The Parole Board's application guide and forms are free, and many people apply without help. A lawyer is most useful when eligibility is unclear or the file is complex.
Will my record disappear completely?
No. The record is kept separate and is no longer disclosed in most checks, but it is not destroyed, and it can be revoked if you are convicted again.
Does a record suspension help me enter the United States?
No. US authorities do not recognise it, so you may still need a US entry waiver depending on your record.
