What is a record suspension in Canada?
A record suspension (formerly called a pardon) is an order under the Criminal Records Act that sets aside a criminal conviction. It does not erase the record but separates it from other criminal records and restricts access to it. The Parole Board of Canada administers record suspensions. Once granted, the conviction is hidden from CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) searches, removing it from most background checks.
Who is ineligible for a record suspension?
Certain offences are permanently ineligible: sexual offences involving a minor under Schedule 1 of the Criminal Records Act (where the victim was under 18), offences where the person was convicted of more than 3 indictable offences each with a sentence of 2+ years, and convictions for schedule 1 sexual offences. Murder and treason are also permanently ineligible.
How long does the record suspension process take?
After meeting the waiting period, the application process itself takes approximately 6 to 12 months for the Parole Board to process. Gathering the required documents (court records, RCMP fingerprints, local police checks) typically takes 2 to 4 months before submission. Total timeline from starting the application to receiving the suspension is commonly 9 to 18 months.
Does a record suspension clear a US border flag?
No. A record suspension removes the conviction from Canadian CPIC databases but does not affect US border records. The FBI and US Customs and Border Protection maintain their own databases and may retain information about Canadian convictions independently. A separate US entry waiver (from USCBP) is required if you have been found inadmissible to the United States.