In early 2019, the Liberal Government announced Bill C-93, that would waive the waiting time and the $631 Parole Board Fee for those convicted of simple possession of Cannabis. Those pot pardons are now available to anyone who qualifies. The Canadian government estimated that approximately 400,000 Canadians could have been affected by these convictions.
What does this mean for you? If you have a conviction for simple possession of Cannabis, your application could be fast tracked and you could be on your way to the freedom that comes with that Pardon (now called a Record Suspension).
A criminal record can have long-lasting consequences, affecting your ability to find employment or housing, it could prevent you from being accepted into certain educational programs, disqualify you from volunteer work, prevent you from being allowed to travel to other countries and can even affect the outcome of family law matters. Essentially, it can impact all areas of your life!
Who qualifies for a Pot Pardon?
Individuals with a conviction(s) for the simple possession of Cannabis that have fully completed their sentence may qualify. Even if you have outstanding fines related to your conviction, you can still apply. If you have other convictions as well, you will likely have to follow the standard Pardon procedure. We can help you determine whether or not you may be eligible to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.
What You Need To Know
A Pardon (Record Suspension) does not erase your record but rather sets it aside. If you are convicted of another criminal offence down the road, your record will be reinstated to include any previous convictions that were set aside by the Pardon. If granted this does not guarantee you entry into another country as other countries, including the United States, have access to Canadian Criminal databases. You may need to apply for a U.S. Entry Waiver.
Remember that only the Parole Board of Canada has the ability to order, deny and revoke your Pardon.
Read Bill-93 Legislation for more information or contact us for a free consultation.